Lyla D'Souza

Kill For Eden

A proof that you don't have to be signed in order to shine, there you have the multinational KILL FOR EDEN, playing modern Hard Rock. For the release of their self-titled album, Kati had a chance to talk with the band's vocalist, Lyla D'Souza, about the band, new album and more…
By Katarzyna Zakolska
May 29, 2013
Lyla D'Souza (Kill For Eden) interview

Hello dear Lyla, how are you? Thank you very much for the time to this interview for Metal Temple. Before heading forward, please present your band, KILL FOR EDEN.

We are a bunch of international musical strays with the same passion for making hard melodic Rock.

You came from Australia, guitarist Andrea Basiola hails from Italy and drummer Max Loubser is Mancunian. Wally Moroshnikov is Siberian.  Is it hard to comprehend each other when members are from different parts of world?​

We speak in musical tongues so we understand each other just fine!

Let's talk about your new debut album. Which of tracks do you find as the best of what your band have been doing since your formation?

As we have been developing our sound, we are going down a heavier rock route much to my satisfaction, therefore songs like Living on Mars, Ned, Untouchables and The Evil that Men do I find are our finest pieces and are indeed the best crowd pleasers as they rock hard live.

How can you describe the work on the album?

Modern Classic Rock. Songs that are hard hitting but melodically memorable.

Can you share your favoured or funny moments of the album's making?

The songwriting process is always my favourite part of making an album, hearing the songs come to life from a concept into a full blown tune.

What is "Kill For Eden" all about? Can you describe, or explain the meaning, of the album's power points?
​​​

Kill for Eden is representative of western society.  We live in a bubble where we enjoy the riches of the world at the expense of the planet and third world countries.  We are happy to kill as long as our place of Eden is preserved. It has obvious religious connotations to but I won't get into that today!

I much enjoyed "Over And Over", "Beige", "Kerosene" and "Living On Mars". Can you talk more about these songs??

Over and Over was a re-working of a song I wrote many years ago. I always loved the melody but needed Dave to give it a new life.  Beige is about living with a social beige conformist who tried to squash my dreams, Kerosene is about having a one night stand from a girl's perspective (not about me of course not 😉 ), Living on Mars describes someone who has become too big for their boots from their success and no longer feels the need to keep their old minion friends.  These are all personal experiences which I always draw from in my songwriting.

One of your songs, "The Evil That Men Do", made me think of a possible cover for IRON MAIDEN's old hit. Did you receive such similar responses? Why going for this title anyway?

People think this all the time.  But no, I like the title and it made me think along the lines of Catholic guilt (again very autobiographical!).  We all feel guilt for the bad things we do but us Catholics can take it one step too far.  All I'm saying in this song is "don't worry we all sin, big deal, get over yourself!" But alas, its easier said then done…..

Listening to this album, I hear influences in some of the songs in the vein of DEEP PURPLE, LED ZEPPELIN, BLONDIE, GARBAGE or THE CRANBERRIES. Do you guys, or yourself, share any appreciation for these bands? Do you actually find these bands as your influences?

We are influenced by classic rock/ metal from the 70s through to current bands.  Definitely the bands above are inspirational to us as well as a plethora of other bands both current and past.  From Sabbath to Soundgarden for me mostly male bands are my inspiration.  But I adore Blondie, loved Heart and am a massive fan of Skunk Anansie.

What inspired you to write the lyrics for the album?

My life and other works.

Your voice is amazing and I found you quite diverse. Is it all natural of have you been training?

I had a handful of opera lessons about 10 years ago and have had musical training, but no real singing training.  I became a singing teacher about 5 years ago so I have been trained to teach, which has most definitely taught me how to use my voice correctly and how to tell a story using the voice like a painter would use a brush, ie its not all about hard strokes but the medium and light strokes that define the composition.

What are your main influences as a vocalist?

Too many to mention – Chris Cornell, Paul Rodgers, Robert Plant, Freddy Mercury, Jimmy Barnes (Cold Chisel), Bon Scott, Bruce Dickinson, Suzi Quatro, Ann Wilson, Suze Demarchi (Baby Animals), Beth Ditto!…..

What are the future plans for  KILL FOR EDEN?

International touring, festivals and the like, getting our music to the rock and roll discerning masses.

Thanks for your time on taking this interview. I wish you all the best and hope to see you live on stage one day. Any last words for the readers?

Check us out at www.killforeden.com and buy our album from iTunes from the 6th of May! Don't be put off by us being a female fronted band, I have more balls than most guys and I dont sound like a typical female rocker, well maybe not as hard as Angela Gossow from Arch Enemy as we're not a death metal kinda band but think Steve Tyler with tits 😉

crossmenucross-circle linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram