Kayla Marque is a rising star in the indie music scene, captivating listeners with her emotive fusion of electro, soul, and R&B. Her unique genre, which she dubs “Sparkly Dark Ritual Pop,” blends ethereal soundscapes with grounded, poetic lyrics that explore themes like love, grief, and existential awakening. In this exclusive interview, Kayla opens up about her journey as an indie artist, her creative process, and the challenges she’s faced along the way.
From battling self-doubt and anxiety to navigating the challenges of being an independent artist without the support of a major label, Kayla’s story is one of resilience, healing, and self-discovery. She shares how her music is more than just a career—it’s a transformative tool for personal growth and connection with others.
In the interview, Kayla also discusses her approach to songwriting, the messages she hopes to convey through her lyrics, and her long-term goals as an artist. With a vision to elevate voices and challenge outdated narratives, Kayla is on a mission to create music that resonates on a deep, soul level, encouraging listeners to find their own worth and potential.
Join us as we dive into the mind of this innovative artist and explore the vibrant, introspective world of Kayla Marque’s music.
Read the full interview to learn more about Kayla’s journey and her upcoming musical projects!
Can you tell us about your journey as an indie musician? What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
I have been around music my entire life growing up in a creative family but I didn’t think it would be my career. I really dove deeply into it because I had a hard time expressing myself and found that the most comfortable way to do so was through telling stories in songwriting. That is where I felt safe and held and once I started performing, that is where I finally felt seen.
How would you describe your unique style and sound as an artist? What sets you apart from other musicians?
I call my genre “Sparkly Dark RItual Pop”. It is an emotive fusion of electro, soul, and R&B where I blend the ethereal with the grounded. My music is poetic, honest and lyrically driven creating an atmospheric soundscape that is deeply introspective, pop satisfying yet progressive.
Could you share some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an indie musician and how you overcame them?
Some of the biggest challenges I face are self doubt and anxiety – Things that are more internal. Although I am in a career where I am constantly being perceived, being comfortable with that is something that I have to continually work on. I am more introverted and shy believe it or not. Some of this is trauma responses at the root so over the years I have been dedicated to recovery.
That includes therapy, developing wellness practices that help me get grounded and centered and sobriety from alcohol. Going inward to deepen and strengthen the connection with myself has been healing and has allowed me to reach a higher vibration and that comes through in my creative expression.
There is also the aspect of not having funding from a label to support my operations. Being completely independent is extremely challenging and exhausting, I wear every hat which sometimes takes away from the craft and the creative practice. I am currently looking to add more people to my team, specifically a manager and booking agent.
It can differ depending how much capacity I have, but in general I stay curious and inspired, finding synchronicities everywhere. I record melodies and lyrics that come to me and piece them together as if I am decoding a message the universe is transmitting to me and through me. I don’t have a particular place that I start, like with a chorus, verse or title, I just let it unfold and reveal itself…sometimes that begins with a single word, phrase, chord progression, etc. My process is quite intuitive and cannot be rushed.
Are there any particular themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music? What inspires your lyrics?
I often explore themes of duality, grief, love, sex, existential crises and awakening. I experience art as a developmental tool and a transformative force. In every project, I intend to bridge the gap between individual experience and collective understanding, using my skills and perspectives to create work that resonates on a deep, soul level. My artistic practice is not just about creating music; it’s about fostering a sense of oneness, reminding others of their own worth and potential.
What are your long-term goals as an indie musician? Where do you see yourself and your music in the next few years?
Through my art, I seek to elevate voices, challenge outdated narratives, and raise the vibration of the collective. I create music that not only reflects my own experiences but also speaks to the broader human experience, transcending barriers of identity and celebrating our shared humanity. I cannot say too much about what is next, but I can say that I remember the future, and I’m excited about the perfect unfolding of it all!
