We had a chat with celebrated rising alt-pop artist Lana Karlay about her resonating new single ‘For the Weak’
Recently on this site, we covered Lana Karlay‘s gloriously catchy and emotionally resonating new single ‘For the Weak’, an impassioned look at situationships and the hardship that they cause delivered through the lens of a teenage artist navigating her way through red flags and relationship minefields.
We loved this new release, and had a chat with Lana to find out a bit more about how it came together, what situations and sounds inspired it and helped put it together, and what else the exciting rising star has planned for the near future.
Hey! We love your new single ‘For The Weak’, what more can you tell us about it?
For The Weak is basically about that one week situationship that is way too common in our generation and somehow still manages to emotionally destroy you. It’s about getting attached way too quickly, ignoring every red flag possible and convincing yourself that this person is somehow your soulmate after knowing them for five business days.
It’s messy, dramatic, a little bit unhinged and honestly way too relatable. I wanted to capture that weird mix of knowing something probably isn’t good for you while still completely romanticising it anyway.
I wanted the song to feel like driving around screaming with your friends after making terrible decisions, replaying every conversation in your head and somehow still considering going back. At the end of the day, I think everyone has either lived through this, watched their friends live through it or is currently living through it right now
What was the process like putting it together?
It was actually my first time travelling solo to the US which was equal parts exciting and overwhelming as a 17 year old. I stayed with family friends in Simi Valley and spent three weeks completely focused on writing songs and filming music videos, which honestly felt pretty surreal.
This song came together while writing with Australian producers / artists and brothers Mason & Julez. I usually write from experience or whatever is happening around me, and we started talking about those almost relationships / situationships that somehow feel like the biggest thing in the world at the time and all over within a week. Before we knew it, we had a song. Once we found the hook, everything moved really quickly. We wanted it to feel energetic, fun and something you could scream in your car, while still having that emotional punch underneath it all.
What were your biggest influences when creating it?
I listen to a lot of pop artists but I’ve always loved music that feels big, emotional and a little dramatic. I grew up with classical music and musical theatre, so I think that naturally sneaks into my songs too. I definitely grew up loving artists like Paramore and Avril Lavigne, and I think you can hear some of that influence in the energy and attitude of my music. Sonically, I’m always chasing that sweet spot between huge pop hooks and pop rock energy.
How do you feel like your sound has progressed since your first release last summer?
I think I’ve become way more confident in knowing who I am as an artist. Since my first release last summer, I’ve made seven trips to the US in eight months which has honestly fast tracked so much growth, both creatively and personally. My earlier songs were me figuring things out, but now I feel like I’m really leaning into bigger choruses, stronger production and songs that feel more like me. I’m definitely moving further into this pop-rock world and having way more fun with it.
What else do you have planned for the near future?
There’s lots happening, I’ve got another single coming soon called Think It Through, which is another pop-rock anthem and honestly one of my favourite releases so far.
For me, the biggest thing moving forward is continuing to be authentic and making music that genuinely feels like me. I’ve realised people connect most when you stop trying to be what you think an artist should be and just lean into who you actually are.
I also have an album in the pipeline, which is really exciting, but before that there’ll be a few more singles because I want to keep building a community around the music first. I want people to grow with the songs as they come out rather than just dropping everything at once. So basically… more music, more videos, more cinematic chaos and lots more coming soon.
