Natalia Kills' interview and photoshoot with Miss KL
Who are you and what do you do?
I'm Natalia Kills and I write songs, kiss boys and collect pretty things and vintage jewelry.
Where did you grow up, and what persuaded you to move out to Los Angeles?
I grew up mostly on my own in London… I had kind of ruined my life by getting into trouble a lot (fights with my boyfriend, quitting all my jobs and having nowhere to stay…) so I wanted to make a new start for myself. When I moved to Hollywood, I had spent every penny I had on a plane ticket to get there, so I lived out of run down motels for a year, trying to meet people and get a break!
Where did the name “Natalia Kills” come from?
I'm not entirely sure! My boyfriends have all called me Kills. I don't know why… but my real name is Natalia, so the whole thing just fits…
How did your youth and the experiences you went through mold you into the person/artist you are today?
I usually only write songs about my memories… especially the bad ones! It feels more powerful to confess to something wrong than to keep on singing and pretending everything's perfect! When I was really young, my parents were crazy rich and had houses and boats all over the world. By the time I was 12 the cops had taken everything, my father was in jail and we were broke. I moved out when I was almost 15 and spent my whole teenage years with no money, or good examples, so my album Trouble really describes all of the mess... and the fun times too.
How did you first get into the entertainment industry? What lead you down the path of music?
I'm just not very good at anything else!
Who or what have been major influences in your singing career?
Jeff Bhasker (who produced my album) showed me everything! He's a true composer and really feels music and the meaning behind it. He showed me how to take my ideas and my life story and make it into a beautiful song...
How did you first discover that writing music was your niche?
My mother says I used to write things all the time… I'd write on napkins, tables, walls and mirrors, picking up crayons or lipsticks or anything I could find just to leave a mark or a thought! I must have been a terrible child!
When writing music, do you ever pull anything from past experiences you’ve encountered?
I really like to write about boys I used to love, and wrong things I did that felt right at the time.
What struggles did you have to overcome when first getting into music? Are there still struggles you come across this far into your career?
The hardest part is figuring out how much of myself I should really expose before people start to think I'm completely mad!
How would you describe your personal style? How does it reflect your music?
I love to dress girly and bitchy. I don't like sneakers or the 'boyfriend' look that much, I'd rather dress like Dionne from Clueless...
Knowing what you know now, would you do any things differently in your career?
I'd go back to the first few months when I started to write, and tell myself not to give a shit if it's 'pop' enough or if anyone else likes it. That’s the only way to guarantee I'll make something I love and want to listen to on repeat.
What is something you want to accomplish as an artist in the next five years?
I'd like to buy more diamonds and cute stuff…
So what’s next? What new secret projects can we expect from Natalia Kills?
Well if I told you, it wouldn't be a secret anymore, would it?!
What’s some advice you’d give to someone looking to follow in your footsteps?
Take acid, ditch your boyfriend, and wear a hat and sunglasses at all times.
Who are you and what do you do?
I'm Natalia Kills and I write songs, kiss boys and collect pretty things and vintage jewelry.
Where did you grow up, and what persuaded you to move out to Los Angeles?
I grew up mostly on my own in London… I had kind of ruined my life by getting into trouble a lot (fights with my boyfriend, quitting all my jobs and having nowhere to stay…) so I wanted to make a new start for myself. When I moved to Hollywood, I had spent every penny I had on a plane ticket to get there, so I lived out of run down motels for a year, trying to meet people and get a break!
Where did the name “Natalia Kills” come from?
I'm not entirely sure! My boyfriends have all called me Kills. I don't know why… but my real name is Natalia, so the whole thing just fits…
How did your youth and the experiences you went through mold you into the person/artist you are today?
I usually only write songs about my memories… especially the bad ones! It feels more powerful to confess to something wrong than to keep on singing and pretending everything's perfect! When I was really young, my parents were crazy rich and had houses and boats all over the world. By the time I was 12 the cops had taken everything, my father was in jail and we were broke. I moved out when I was almost 15 and spent my whole teenage years with no money, or good examples, so my album Trouble really describes all of the mess... and the fun times too.
How did you first get into the entertainment industry? What lead you down the path of music?
I'm just not very good at anything else!
Who or what have been major influences in your singing career?
Jeff Bhasker (who produced my album) showed me everything! He's a true composer and really feels music and the meaning behind it. He showed me how to take my ideas and my life story and make it into a beautiful song...
How did you first discover that writing music was your niche?
My mother says I used to write things all the time… I'd write on napkins, tables, walls and mirrors, picking up crayons or lipsticks or anything I could find just to leave a mark or a thought! I must have been a terrible child!
When writing music, do you ever pull anything from past experiences you’ve encountered?
I really like to write about boys I used to love, and wrong things I did that felt right at the time.
What struggles did you have to overcome when first getting into music? Are there still struggles you come across this far into your career?
The hardest part is figuring out how much of myself I should really expose before people start to think I'm completely mad!
How would you describe your personal style? How does it reflect your music?
I love to dress girly and bitchy. I don't like sneakers or the 'boyfriend' look that much, I'd rather dress like Dionne from Clueless...
Knowing what you know now, would you do any things differently in your career?
I'd go back to the first few months when I started to write, and tell myself not to give a shit if it's 'pop' enough or if anyone else likes it. That’s the only way to guarantee I'll make something I love and want to listen to on repeat.
What is something you want to accomplish as an artist in the next five years?
I'd like to buy more diamonds and cute stuff…
So what’s next? What new secret projects can we expect from Natalia Kills?
Well if I told you, it wouldn't be a secret anymore, would it?!
What’s some advice you’d give to someone looking to follow in your footsteps?
Take acid, ditch your boyfriend, and wear a hat and sunglasses at all times.