HYRA
“HYRA is essentially an exploration of myself - who i am and what makes me who i am. And why i often have trouble navigating this”
LA based pop musician HYRA is soon to take the world by storm. Think super upbeat, instantly unforgettable beats layered with clever writing and dreamy vocals you really can’t get out your head.
I sat down with HYRA via Zoom to chat Zelda, modern pop legends and what, ‘femininity’, means to her.
Tell me a bit how you discovered music and the creative journey you had on the way?
I have been writing and singing for as long as i can remember, since i was very young. During my second year of college i was really able to pick music up and persue it, as encouraged by my friends at the time. I began to experiment with different styles and genres, then four months after i graduated i met my producer. Things clicked into place very naturally for me.
Congratulations on your US citezenship! I saw on social media that this is something that means a lot to you. How does it feel?
Thank you! I was originally born in Nicaragua but moved to the US when i was around four. So this citizenship definetly feels really well deserved for me.
I think i always felt very stuck in between the two places, like i felt as though i didn’t belong in the US as i was never a citizen, but also felt as though i never belonged in Nicaragua. So i guess i always felt a disconnect between them both.
How has living in LA and California influenced your music?
I moved to LA at the start of the Covid pandemic, in January 2020. Due to the situation i t was hard for me to get inspired because of social distancing and lockdown etc. This forced me to become more intrespective into myself, so i was pulling at a lot of past experiences for inspiration, as well as places i had lived before, like New York, Miami and San Francisco.
Are there any other aspects or ideas that inspire your music and songwriting?
It’s been strange for me to identity with this concept of, ‘femininity’. I think that HYRA is my way of navigating what it means to be, ‘feminine’, whilst also navigating this other side of myself, which has been curated as the result of past relationships and experiences, as well as my Latino identity. So it’s ultimately a balance of this concept of ,’feminity’, and the other facets of who i am.
I do consider myself an introvert so HYRA has been a great source of confidence for myself.
It’s been strange for me to identity with this concept of, ‘femininity’. I think that HYRA is my way of navigating what it means to be, ‘feminine’, whilst also navigating this other side of myself, which has been curated as the result of past relationships and experiences, as well as my Latino identity. So it’s ultimately a balance of this concept of ,’feminity’, and the other facets of who i am.
I do consider myself an introvert so HYRA has been a great source of confidence for myself.
“Sad Lullaby is an assertive, rebellious anthem yet also feels very feminine to HYRA. I was able to really tap back into this mentality again for my new song”
I stopped making music for a period of around nine months. During this time i was playing a lot of Zelda, and i was really inspired by the majestic feeling, ‘open world’, game play, and the, ‘higher purpose’, Zelda represents. So i guess HYRA is a combination between Zelda and the realm of Hyrule, the world Zelda inhabits.
“I take on my name as HYRA, as an alias almost to live in a world where nothing as Gabby ties me down”
What other artists inspire you as a creative?
Lady Gaga, Marina, Lana Del Rey, Slayyter - i connect the most with strong female projects that aren’t afraid to rebel and be themselves. I also love Grimes, and this almost otherworldy being she represents.
I think that non binary and female artists are the best at embodying this totally unapologetic attitude in embracing themselves. For example, Dorian Electra is defiantly reimagining what it means to even exist and challening the gender binary.
With HYRA i have really been able to develop my own voice, in the same way these artists did for me growing up.
Finally, what does the future hold in store for HYRA?
I have my new single coming out soon, as well as my Broken Heart music video. For my video i was able to work with a super exciting director. We were able to create a narrative in which my listeners will be able to understand HYRA better, and feel a very specific way when they see it.
Lady Gaga, Marina, Lana Del Rey, Slayyter - i connect the most with strong female projects that aren’t afraid to rebel and be themselves. I also love Grimes, and this almost otherworldy being she represents.
I think that non binary and female artists are the best at embodying this totally unapologetic attitude in embracing themselves. For example, Dorian Electra is defiantly reimagining what it means to even exist and challening the gender binary.
With HYRA i have really been able to develop my own voice, in the same way these artists did for me growing up.
Finally, what does the future hold in store for HYRA?
I have my new single coming out soon, as well as my Broken Heart music video. For my video i was able to work with a super exciting director. We were able to create a narrative in which my listeners will be able to understand HYRA better, and feel a very specific way when they see it.
YOU CAN HEAR MORE FROM HYRA VIA INSTAGRAM SPOTIFY