Artist Interview: Myla Lei
Swiss singer-songwriter Myla blends poetic vulnerability with social awareness, reflecting deeply personal and political themes through her music. Growing up in Zug and working as an elementary school teacher, Myla’s journey into songwriting was fueled by courage, creativity, and the quiet realization that art can spark change. With her debut EP My Head Is Alright, she opens up about imposter syndrome, generational tension, climate anxiety, and her own neurodivergent perspective—all wrapped in a soundscape of emotional honesty. In this interview, Myla shares the moments that shaped her, the message behind her music, and where she’s headed next.
Tori: What inspired you to start writing music, and how do you think your upbringing in Zug influenced your art?
Myla: "When I was a teenager in Zug, I began to notice people my age taking their creative hobbies seriously—some even started professionalizing their passions. They showcased their art and played gigs in public. I always thought that was one of the coolest things someone could do, but I couldn't bring myself to follow their lead. Even though I loved singing and was often told I had a beautiful voice, I didn't play an instrument and was afraid of making a fool of myself. I feared not being taken seriously. Plus, studying music or arts didn't seem like a realistic option for me at the time. My mom was a single parent, and money was often tight. I think I was looking for stability first, which is why I didn't start writing songs seriously until later.
The final push came from one of my best friends, who crashed my 18th birthday party and invited me to jam with his band. I went, and in my eyes, these three boys were part of the 'cool kids club' I'd admired. They had a rehearsal space filled with speakers, cables, and beer. They seemed to know everything about music. A year or two later, after they had asked me to be their lead singer and we were playing as a band, I realized that gear and beer don't make a band—connection and expression do. The band eventually split up, but the friendship between my best friend and me remained. He went on to become a live sound engineer and producer, while I chose to study and seek security. Five years later, we became a couple. I moved out of my mom's house, sat on the floor of my very first apartment, and thought: 'Why am I holding on to the belief that I need to be a great guitarist to write my own songs? Or that only people with formal training can pursue music professionally?'
Humanity makes up beliefs all the time—so why shouldn't I create my own? If my partner could become a self-employed sound engineer, why couldn't I become a musician? That's how it all came together: growing up in Zug, feeling unworthy of creative expression, jamming with a teenage band, realizing the 'cool kids' are just human too—and finally recognizing my own right to pursue what matters to me. I always had something to say; I just had to find the courage to say it."
Tori: Can you tell us about your journey from being an elementary school teacher to pursuing a music career?
Myla: "In a way, I already touched on this in the previous answer. But to elaborate: I chose teaching because I value meaningful human connection and stability. Music, however, was always there—like a quiet flame that refused to go out. Over time, I started giving that flame more space until it became something I could no longer ignore."
Tori: How do you approach songwriting, and what themes do you find yourself drawn to most often?
Myla: "To me, an artist is a mirror of society. We absorb images, emotions, and experiences and reflect them back through our unique lens. How personal the reflection gets depends on the artist. For me, songwriting often begins as an itch I don't know how to scratch—a melody or phrase gets stuck in my head like a loop. Some fade quickly; others stay with me until I give them shape.
The themes that show up in my writing vary, but they often revolve around how it feels to grow up in today's world. My first EP, My Head Is Alright, captures the dissonance of being a young adult watching crises unfold—climate change, inequality, generational gaps—and wondering why we're left to clean up a mess we didn't make. For future projects, I plan to explore different perspectives, but I think the thread of collective human experience will always run through my songs. That's just how I'm wired, I guess."
Tori: Your EP My Head is Alright explores inner contradictions and social expectations. Can you walk us through your creative process for this project?
Myla: "The EP began with the title track, My Head Is Alright, inspired by a quote from RuPaul's Drag Race. That phrase stuck with me, and as I began writing, it took on a sarcastic tone. That mood carried into the other tracks and even into the spoken word piece.
The project reflects the emotional dissonance we feel in the face of global crises, intergenerational misunderstandings, and our personal struggles with identity and imposter syndrome. One metaphor I return to often is the idea of using a dinosaur plaster to cover a broken bone—it's how we tend to deal with climate change: patching over deep wounds with surface solutions.
I also wanted to include a dialogue across generations, acknowledging that while we carry the legacy of our families, we are not bound by it. We're given tools, not destinies. The EP opens with a spoken word piece as a way of reclaiming my voice and processing the fear that had held me back for years. Since it all started when I was a kid, I chose the form of British children's stories, which have that distinct rhythm I like and feel comforted by."
Tori: How do you balance your emotions and personal experiences with the message you want to convey in your music?
Myla: "Through all of the songs, there's that wink—that little smile—which is my personal note in the reflection being sent back to the listeners. It’s trying to ask: now that you feel seen—maybe even a little busted—don’t you think you knew all along that something wasn’t going according to plan? Don’t you think we can leave all that nonsense behind and start being a team again? All as one? I guess that’s how I weave my own peace of mind into the messages of my songs. At least it was for this EP."
Tori: Your music addresses socially relevant topics like social justice and equality. What do you hope listeners take away from your songs?
Myla: "Don’t choose to be an asshole, basically. We all have a choice in who we want to be—and every choice has consequences. For me, that includes taking responsibility for my own actions. Even choosing not to act is an action.
At the core, I think people want to feel seen. So if I want to feel seen, and you want to feel seen, why not start by truly seeing ourselves? Then we can start to truly see each other—and maybe, just maybe, that’s how we begin to change the world. Or at least brighten someone else's day."
Tori: Can you elaborate on the inspiration behind specific tracks, such as Chaos or Dust To Water?
Myla: "Dust To Water is a reaction to how we respond to environmental disasters—the dinosaur plaster moment. A few years ago, Switzerland experienced a summer of heavy rainfall: flooded basements, evacuations, military support. While I felt empathy for those affected, I couldn’t help but think, 'Didn’t we see this coming?' We're patching deep wounds with cartoon plasters and ignoring systemic causes. Not that the people with flooded basements are to blame. We all know the richest 3% of the world’s population are causing most of the emissions driving climate collapse.
Chaos is more personal. My grandmother had Alzheimer’s for many years before she passed, and when she died, I felt… nothing. It took years to begin mourning her and to understand the emotional chaos I often experienced. When I was later diagnosed with ADHD, things began to make sense. My emotional regulation works differently, and sometimes the only way out is through.
That doesn’t apply only to neurodivergent people, though. I’ve learned that some emotions pass in just a few minutes if you let yourself feel them fully. The song embraces the idea that chaos can be a survival strategy. When the world makes no sense, nonsense becomes clarity. You cry, you shout, you move through it. And if you're willing, you learn to do it with awareness and compassion—for yourself and others. In that way, Chaos closes a loop: knowing yourself helps you know others, and that leads back to connection."
Tori: How do you think music can be used as a tool for sparking meaningful conversations and inspiring positive change?
Myla: "Art has always been a conversation starter—whether in 19th-century salons or within Indigenous storytelling traditions. It connects, disarms, and opens people up. A melody can make you cry before you understand why. Lyrics can name a truth you've never said aloud.
Music invites us to listen not just with our ears, but with our hearts. That's how change begins: with one person listening deeply to another."
Tori: What do you think sets your music apart, and how do you see your art evolving in the future?
Myla: "My music stands out because it reflects me—a unique mirror. I'm not into 'pick-me-girl' behavior, and my music shouldn't be 'pick-me' music either. You either like it or you don't—and that's totally fine. I love creating space and vibing with whoever chooses to tune in."
Tori: Your EP has been described as a "tension field" and a "quiet rebellion." Can you tell us more about what you hope to achieve with your music?
Myla: "A snake sheds its skin when it becomes too tight. That tightness creates discomfort—a kind of tension. I'm not a snake, obviously, but I imagine that's how it must feel. And shedding that skin isn't effortless—quite the opposite. It's not loud either. It's the most natural thing, but it doesn't happen every day.
Maybe my music can offer that kind of moment to listeners—the moment they realize they've been walking around in a skin that no longer fits. A moment to pause and consider shedding it. That 'skin' might be the contradictions we carry around and live by, day after day.
As a neurodivergent person, I experience those contradictions as deeply tense, and I want to grow out of them. Writing and making music is how I do that. And maybe my music—and the way I live—can inspire others to grow too."
Tori: Who are some artists or musicians that inspire you, and why?
Myla: "Number one has to be Hozier. He manages to make me feel seen and felt. When I listen to his music, I know that I'm not alone with all of my emotional sensations. That feels comforting and satisfying in the best way possible. I admire his way of playing with words, melodies, textures, and tensions.
Billie Eilish represents authenticity to me—another standard I strive to live by. I think how she just landed in the pop scene with her own style and distinct vocal technique revolutionized the industry and propelled the image of a female act forward.
Then there are IKAN HYU—a Swiss pop-punk-rock duo whose colorful, badass energy is so inspiring. When they perform, they just don’t seem to give a shit about social standards. They are these wonderfully weird mad women showing off their skills in the best way possible while remaining very human.
OG Florin is a Swiss rap artist who just does stuff. We went to the same school actually, and back then he was just this very bright stoner head with emotions he couldn't explain. And now he is one of the top artists in Switzerland, and I’m just in awe of how effortlessly he managed to stay himself and evolve through his career at the same time.
And then there is Joya Marleen. A warmhearted, kind, and super talented Swiss artist, who also made it to the top of Switzerland’s pop scene. She gives me the strength to just go for it and hope that kind people can make it too. She also teaches me to stay curious and that it is okay to find out who you are as an artist along the way.
Lastly, I would like to mention Melicious—an electro indie-pop artist I just fell in love with last year. I am very much looking forward to her new stuff being released. I had the chance to meet her as she works as a professional content creator as well—she shot some footage for social media at an open-air we played."
Tori: How do you stay motivated and inspired to continue creating music?
Myla: "By taking a f*cking break before I hustle again—haha. What I mean by that is, I don't force myself to create, but I don't let it slide either. It's about finding that sweet spot for me."
Tori: Can you tell us about a particularly meaningful experience or moment that has influenced your music?
Myla: "Honestly, it’s hard to pinpoint just one moment. I think every time I break through a fear—whether it’s performing live, releasing something raw, or just admitting what I want—that changes me and shapes my music. It’s in the small acts of bravery."
Tori: What challenges have you faced as a musician, and how have you overcome them?
Myla: "As a female neurodivergent who is 80% employed as a primary school teacher and tries to make a music career happen almost all on her own—that comes with challenges. Little sleep, having to deal with the sensation of failure and rejection all the time, and still having everything in check—that's a lot. Nowadays you can't just release your music and hope for someone to stumble across it. The market is overly saturated, so developing a business mindset and your own personality is key—and requires maintenance.
I didn’t face one particular challenge so far, but having to keep up with everything that is expected can sometimes feel like an impossible challenge."
Tori: How do you handle criticism or negative feedback about your music?
Myla: "Well, to me it depends on when I receive the criticism. If I’ve just dropped a new single and am anxious about the reaction, it sure is nice to have some cheerleading voices come through first in the mailbox—that’s what moms and friends are for. Otherwise, I like to think of criticism as a helping hand being reached out. I can choose to take it if the hand feels stable, or to ignore it if the hand feels too shaky.
All in all, I'd like to think of myself as an ever-evolving person. So I think negative feedback is necessary for my own growth—it challenges me. But I wouldn't go as far as to say that I always receive it well. I am human after all."
Tori: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting out?
Myla: "Do you mean like me? Haha.
To somebody who is just starting out, I'd say build your social environment carefully. Go out and network with other musicians. Show your songs to friends who make music themselves and tell them what you are seeking: advice, feedback—or do you just want to share your own happiness? Create—your music, your personality, your mood space, and your social contact list.
Get together with different musicians for jam sessions and songwriting sessions. The advice of clear communication applies here as well: be clear about your expectations from the beginning. Don’t overshare your plans. Share them with someone close to you—maybe even someone who co-creates your career with you. But don’t let everybody know about your plans until you are sure of what you want to do and what your concept is. Oversharing can kill the magic.
And finally—always shoot your shot. The world isn’t waiting for you. Jump on the carousel while it’s still going ;)"
Tori: What’s next for you in terms of upcoming music releases or projects?
Myla: "There are a few songs ready to be produced. Also, I just got back into the spirit of writing new stuff. One project for summer definitely will be to learn about how to use the tools of a producer so I can start to be a little bit more independent for my next songs. And I will definitely catch up on my booking routine so we can play some gigs come autumn and winter. My Head Is Alright ended with a mini-tour—now I'm looking to my next project. Stay tuned, is all I can say for now."
Tori: Are there any specific collaborations or opportunities you're looking to pursue in the future?
Myla: "I already had the opportunity to work with two very bright and talented young producers and would love to keep that teamwork going. As for collaborations, my DMs are wide open—as are my eyes and ears. I'd be open to co-create and work on some songs together—Melicious, I'm looking at you darling, text me ;)"
Tori: How do you see your music career evolving in the next few years, and what goals do you have for yourself?
Myla: "That is for me to know and for you to find out... Maybe also for me to find out a bit, haha."
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