motel void

MOTEL VOID: You’re from Chicago, currently you’re based in Los Angeles, though. How would you describe and compare these two music scenes? Do you feel that you’re part of it now in LA? Your favorite local venues and artists?

VILLA COOLA: For me it’s a little tough to compare the two, as my time spent in Chicago was in the indie music scene, whereas my time spent in Los Angeles has mostly been on the studio side in pop music. Chicago will always have my heart, but there’s no denying L.A. is a hub for creative people from all over.

My favorite local venue is probably The Wiltern, it’s just such a cool space. When I lived in Koreatown, I used to love driving by and checking the marquee to see who would be playing.

My favorite L.A. artists are Nashon, Morganne, and Specific Coast. Each one’s got an awesome project, please check out all three.

MOTEL VOID: You’ve just released your new single ‘Badside’. Will it be part of your new album?

VILLA COOLA: I don’t currently have any plans to put out a full album, but I can confirm that I do have more music on the way. Stay tuned.

MOTEL VOID: Could you tell us more about the recording and writing process of your songs?

VILLA COOLA: One of my main jobs is working as a recording engineer for pop and R&B vocalists, but I’ve been writing songs since I was in high school. My music is a place I come to lay down my own thoughts, channel emotions and things I’ve been thinking about throughout the week. To me, the most important part of a song is the sonic world and how it makes you feel when you listen, above everything else. Past that, I try not to think about it too hard. “Badside” I probably spent less than 6 hours writing and recording. I focus a lot on not doing too much.

MOTEL VOID: Your biggest inspirations right now?

VILLA COOLA: My biggest inspirations right now are the friends I’ve made in Los Angeles who I see working very hard every day, every week to get where they want to be. It keeps me going.

MOTEL VOID: Your plans for 2024?

VILLA COOLA: Release more music, visit Chicago in the summer, maybe hit a Dodgers game in L.A. as long as I can find a good seat in the shade.