Leila: Welcome To Your Life
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After the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, musician Leila Arab moved to London to work on her distinct style of heavily IDM-influenced ambient sounds. Having released her debut album on the legendary Rephlex label, she then when on to collaborate and tour live with Bjork, and remix leftfield artists such as Acacia under her experimental alter ego, Gramati.

I blew about five sets of monitors last year and am currently using the kind of hi-fi speakers that an 11-year-old drug dealer would aspire to (shit but strangely indestructible)

Her music is a direct result of her inspirations from techno, funk, soul, electronica, and hip hop - where on her 'Sodastream' single on XL Recordings, she confirmed her reputation as 'part sonic terrorist, part harmonic evangelist' by disrupting a pop song with unexpected noise and distortion. Here we speak to her about her new record on Warp...

Dazed Digital: How would you describe your new record if you had to?
Leila: Dada. I am concerned for the state of humanity but a defender of aesthetic fascism.

DD: How did you first get into producing the music you make and what influences it?
Leila: I couldn't find the music that fitted my mood so I started making it myself. I became increasingly offended by the "veneer of quality" and generic cosiness that is used to con people and reassure their basic instinct for a banal sense of belonging.

DD: Who would be your dream collaborators?
Leila: The collaboration is a curious beast, the individual elements are almost of no consequence. What is interesting is the potential reaction created within said elements and the unpredictable potential of the result if said elements are pure.
 
DD: Who/what are you listening to now?
Leila: Nothing, my ears hurt so I am giving them a rest. I blew about five sets of monitors last year and am currently using the kind of Hi-Fi speakers that an 11-year-old drug dealer would aspire to (shit but strangely indestructible).

DD: What's next?
Leila: Fuck knows.

Leila: Welcome to Your Life out via Warp on 27th February