Keeping it real

Flash Entertainment continues its Regional Artist Spotlight initiative by showcasing our most talented stars. Next up: Layla Kardan

Born in Belgium with Iranian roots and raised between Sydney and Dubai, singer/ songwriter Layla Kardan’s rise to regional stardom has been a journey of courage and self-discovery. She left a successful corporate career to follow her dream of being a singer. In doing so, she lost the security of a full-time job, and felt familial hostility for her choices, but the gamble paid off, allowing her the freedom to pursue the truest side of herself. To date, she has won many accolades and awards, sung on the region’s biggest stages, and been handpicked by Quincy Jones himself to perform at his award-winning Dubai venue, Q’s Bar.

How did you first get into music?

I have always been very musical and poetic. I grew up on stage as a classical ballerina but was never really encouraged to be a musician or a singer. I got to a very low point in my life where I wasn’t living my truth or being my most authentic self, so I made a decision almost overnight to drop everything and instead pursue the things I was passionate about. Top of the list was music. From one day to the next, people would ask me what I did and I would say I was a singer and before I knew it I formed a band and started to perform live with no training or previous band experience. I just went for it.

How would you describe the music that you make?

Dream pop. Dreamy pop music with electronic synths and beats, jazzy melodic lines and lyrics with substance.

Who are the artists, or people, who inspire you?