Leyla Ebrahimi's interview at Medium Sized Backyard is the kind of conversation that reminds you why these rooms exist. Fresh off a debut EP release and a performance that had her eyeballing every camera in the tent, the Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter sat down to talk about Blondie, six-minute songs, and what she's building with her mom in Farsi - and the most compelling moment might be how clearly she already knows exactly what she's after.
On the Debut EP "Planet You Forgot Me"
Medicine Box: Most recently, your debut EP Planet You Forgot Me. Talk to me - how has the release been? What does it feel like having that out in the world?
Leyla Ebrahimi: It's so interesting because it's my first time releasing an EP, my first one. I didn't really know what to expect from it, but the only feeling I have is it's so nice to wrap this period of my life up. Some of these songs were made so long ago that I'm already writing for the next EP. So I'm kind of mentally in a completely different place. In my head, the EP kind of dropped a while ago, even though it didn't. It's just an interesting process to experience for the first time.
Medicine Box: Do you feel like it's almost tied to a different identity than where you are now?
Leyla Ebrahimi: Yeah, definitely. "Planet You Forgot Me" I wrote almost two years ago. But I always knew it was a song that changed the way I see music. I grew up a massive Blondie fan, and I was always thinking about what happened to an intro, what happened to an outro - I just want things to feel dramatic, because they are. That song really inspired the way I perform and the way I make music. And it's a six-minute song, so I always knew I wanted it to be sort of the face of whatever first debut part of the project I put out.
Medicine Box: Bring back six-minute songs, please. What do you hope fans can take away from the EP?
Leyla Ebrahimi: If you listen to the EP start to finish, it definitely tells a story. There's a lot of overlap within the universe that story takes place - little hints and clues between the songs. This EP is about a love story, and it's one of the most universal feelings you can have. I just want people to feel like they're not alone in those feelings. I definitely have a lot more to say than just writing love songs, but it was what was relevant to me at the time.
On Why the Live Show Is Everything
Medicine Box: Given that the EP was written two years ago, how do you compare that to what you're writing today?
Leyla Ebrahimi: Sometimes I think it's totally different, but then I actually think it's not that different. Sometimes as a musician I'm like, I'm going in a completely different direction, and it just kind of sounds the same. But I think it's still very much in the same world I've already built. I've just been focusing more on building music around a live show, because that's why I make music - to perform it live. That's my favorite thing in the world. I obviously love the sonic aspects of sitting down and listening to music, but the live show is what's most important to me. It's the reason why I'm chasing this career - to perform.
Medicine Box: I find sometimes it's the reverse for a lot of artists, so it's really refreshing that you're like, no, that is my goal. What are the parts of touring you're most excited about?
Leyla Ebrahimi: I've never toured before, so I'm just excited for the experience. I learn more and more after every show, and I love that. I think it'll be cool to just be able to do it back to back, because sometimes with a one-off show I'm just so nervous - and I'm like, I wish I could do it again.
On Dream Venues and the List She Made in Her Room
Medicine Box: What's a dream venue for you?
Leyla Ebrahimi: When I released my first demo two years ago, I made a list of things I really want. The list ranges from like 5,000 streams to SNL.
Medicine Box: All right, tell me what's on that list.
Leyla Ebrahimi: I live in New York, I live in Brooklyn, and I've never played Baby's All Ages. I really want to. I would love to just rip that venue for two nights and sell it out both nights. That's a dream I have.
Medicine Box: I love that - that question is usually met with a really big answer. Baby's is this awesome venue where a lot of iconic legacy acts started, and even today so many cool artists pull up. It's so intimate, the lighting is incredible, it's such a vibe. So it's refreshing that you're like, honestly, I just want to rip Baby's.
Leyla Ebrahimi: Sell it out, line down the block. Not yet, but hopefully soon.
On Identity, Iranian Heritage, and Writing With Her Mom
Medicine Box: You've referenced that your artistic identity changes as you change. Is there something about your identity that you feel should be permanent - something that should never change?
Leyla Ebrahimi: I think the things that never change are - my family is Iranian and I'm wildly influenced by my culture and the ways I was brought up. That's definitely bled into the music and into the creative around the project. Sonically, I hope to bring it in there too. I don't know what Farsi and English lyrics look like in the indie world, but it's something I'm working on - and I'm writing with my mom. So that's something I don't think will ever change, because it's been part of who I am and will be forever.
Medicine Box: You're getting your mom involved?
Leyla Ebrahimi: Yeah, we're going to build something together. I think she wants to be involved.
Medicine Box: I feel like moms will never say it, but they want to be involved.
Leyla Ebrahimi: She's down. For sure.
