Ever since her passionate singles "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans" got Lana Del Rey buzzing this past summer, music journalists have gone to great lengths to try and figure her out—with inconclusive results. Lana popped up with a DIY aesthetic, then surprised everyone when it was revealed that she has the support of a major label machine in Interscope. Some love her because her music is awesome. Some hate her because they feel she's manufactured, Trojan Horse-ing her way into the scene.
If you ask Lana to describe herself, or her purpose, she's not much help either. "I don't even have that much to say!" she proclaims over the phone, while stepping off the subway in New York. For a girl with an image that appears so deftly calculated, it's hard to tell if she's being sincere, or whether her coyness is all part of the act.
And really it's this act, her penchant for Old Hollywood cinematics, killer fashion, and dramatic tales of heartbreak, that has us mesmorized. We care about her, just as much, if not more, than her records. Where did this girl come from and why is it so fun to watch her? Lana Del Rey finally opens all the way up to Complex, from the authenticity of her much-discussed lips, to how she really feels about those Internet haters, and the sound of her upcoming debut, tenatively titled Born To Die.
Interview by Ernest Baker (@newbornrodeo).
You moved from Lake Placid to New York City seven years ago in search of a career in music. Now you have one. How did that happen?
Just going to open-mic nights and things like that. It was mostly in Brooklyn. It was a folk scene. When I was 19, I signed to an independent record label. I was the only act on their roster, and then that record was shelved. After that, I still wanted to sing, but I started focusing on being an active member of my community. It’s only in the last three months that I’ve had any attention.
You really came out of nowhere. Did you have a relationship with anyone at Interscope before your rise in popularity this summer?
No, I had never met anyone in that capacity. I had gone to record labels in London a year and a half ago and showed them my songs, but no one was interested. I hadn’t met any of the people that I’m signed to now. I know lots of people are wondering about the deal. [Laughs.]
Yeah, when I first heard “Video Games” in July, your record label was mentioned.
Well, I wrote that a few months ago with a composer called Justin Parker. I got a publicist a few weeks ago. I signed my deal a few weeks ago. I’ve had a very diligent manager for the last two years. In terms of assistance, I haven’t had a thing, which is OK. It’s nicer to have help.
Just going to open-mic nights and things like that. It was mostly in Brooklyn. It was a folk scene. When I was 19, I signed to an independent record label. I was the only act on their roster, and then that record was shelved. After that, I still wanted to sing, but I started focusing on being an active member of my community. It’s only in the last three months that I’ve had any attention.
You really came out of nowhere. Did you have a relationship with anyone at Interscope before your rise in popularity this summer?
No, I had never met anyone in that capacity. I had gone to record labels in London a year and a half ago and showed them my songs, but no one was interested. I hadn’t met any of the people that I’m signed to now. I know lots of people are wondering about the deal. [Laughs.]
Yeah, when I first heard “Video Games” in July, your record label was mentioned.
Well, I wrote that a few months ago with a composer called Justin Parker. I got a publicist a few weeks ago. I signed my deal a few weeks ago. I’ve had a very diligent manager for the last two years. In terms of assistance, I haven’t had a thing, which is OK. It’s nicer to have help.
I’m not that cool. I feel like I want to fucking kill myself. It’s miserable.
No help with your videos? The editing is great.
No, I found and edited all of those clips myself. In the last four weeks, I’ve had to hire copyright specialists to reach out to people to ask for approval for those clips, but I found them ten months ago by searching keywords on YouTube. It’s not like the videos are that good. I’d rather them not be up, but whatever. They’re fucking weird. It’s not like I wanted the videos to look that way; it’s just what I was working with at the time. I’m not sure it’s a perfect representation of what I would have chosen if I’d had more money. [Laughs.]
Well, it’s worked out for you.
Yeah, you’d think so, but there’s definitely a backlash to it that I’m starting to see now. But it’s fine.
Anytime I talk to someone who’s facing backlash, it’s always “Whatever” or “Haters are going to hate.”
I don’t feel that way. I’m not that cool. I feel like I want to fucking kill myself. It’s miserable.
What bothers you about the criticism?
I’m just not interested. Music is secondary to me. I wish I could go back to normal. I’m a really quiet person. I always have been. It’s hard when you see a lot of things written about you. It’s not what I had in mind.
Yeah, there’s a lot of speculation about your lips.
I can tell that’s going to be a fucking problem. I didn’t sign up to be famous, I just wanted to sing. It’s so annoying, but what am I going to do?
Are your lips real?
I haven’t had anything done at all. Anyone who’s known me will tell you that. I’m sorry, but I was living in a trailer park for a few years. I didn’t even have enough money to buy Cocoa Puffs. It’s not like I crawled from under the bridge and got surgery. I’m quite pouty. [Laughs.] That’s just how I look when I sing.
How else has your life changed since your music took off?
It’s just been a lot of moving around, working with a lot of different producers trying to get the sound of the record right. I have like four songs that I think, sonically, are really good. The record’s written, but it’s not produced. I haven’t gotten to fix anything up yet. I’m still living between a million different places. But it’s nice not to be trying to survive on the street. [Laughs.] That’s good. I’m glad that I’m safe and not in any dangerous regions.
Where are these million different places?
I’ve been living in London off-and-on for the last year and a half. I started going over there to work with different producers. I never expected to end up there, but I’ve been spending a lot of time there. I go to Glasgow in Scotland and I go see my friends. That’s really fun, but there’s a lot of other things. My life hasn’t been about music for a long time now. There’s a different side of my life and I don’t really talk about it.
So, you’re 25? That’s what’s mostly out there.
Yeah, I’m 25.
It’s just been a lot of moving around, working with a lot of different producers trying to get the sound of the record right. I have like four songs that I think, sonically, are really good. The record’s written, but it’s not produced. I haven’t gotten to fix anything up yet. I’m still living between a million different places. But it’s nice not to be trying to survive on the street. [Laughs.] That’s good. I’m glad that I’m safe and not in any dangerous regions.
Where are these million different places?
I’ve been living in London off-and-on for the last year and a half. I started going over there to work with different producers. I never expected to end up there, but I’ve been spending a lot of time there. I go to Glasgow in Scotland and I go see my friends. That’s really fun, but there’s a lot of other things. My life hasn’t been about music for a long time now. There’s a different side of my life and I don’t really talk about it.
So, you’re 25? That’s what’s mostly out there.
Yeah, I’m 25.
I was living in a trailer park. I didn’t have enough money to buy Cocoa Puffs. It’s not like I crawled from under the bridge and got surgery. I’m quite pouty. That’s just how I look when I sing.
When do you turn 26?
June 21st.
Who was it that broke your heart?
The songs are about two people that I couldn’t hang on to because they got in trouble and had to leave. When you’re an introvert like me and you’ve been lonely for a while, and then you find someone who understands you, you become really attached to them. It’s a real release.
I’ve seen you say things on Twitter like, “I still think about you.” Do you feel like you were supposed to be with one of them?
No. In this particular case, I know that I wasn’t supposed to be with that person, but I was still really lonely. It’s so hard to be alone. I think you know in the back of your mind when you meet someone that could be the right person. I think you know. It’s rare.
It seems like you play up your retro sex appeal intentionally.
Most of the songs are about heartbreak, but maybe the videos and the pictures have added to that perception. They are quite vamped up, aren’t they? [Laughs.] I have fun with it all, but music and taking pictures are not my end-all, be-all. They’re fun, but they’re not important to me. The most important thing, obviously, is the record. I just hope I can create that sonic world that I have in mind.
Who are you working with?
My best friend, who is a film composer in California. He’s been working with [Kanye West producer] Jeff Bhasker and [Kid Cudi producer] Emile Haynie, who are more in the hip-hop world, and we’re creating a really good thing. I don’t think it’s going to be an easy road, but for me, it’s going to be about the songs.
People have high expectations for your album. Are you feeling the pressure?
I don’t feel pressure, but I do feel nervous. I’m not used to having a lot of people hear my music. When you don’t have a lot of people listening to your music for a long time, you start making it for yourself and it takes the pressure off. I really like the record. Of course I hope people like it, because I don’t want to deal with any drama.
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Lana Del Rey's second single, "Blue Jeans." Available October 16, on iTunes.
Andy October 7th, 2011 at 12:44 PM
She knows nobody is going to believe her about the lips right? Just own up to it
aaaaaaaa October 7th, 2011 at 12:59 PM
there are pictures of her before and after, who r u kidding girl
Adam October 7th, 2011 at 02:04 PM
I found a few sites that expose her, show pictures of her before she made it as Lana Del Rey. She is a total fake, this article shouldnt have even been published. Why not interview Kim Kardashian about how famous she is now too? Last article on this website Im reading.
Whitney January 15th, 2012 at 07:54 PM
Yup - she is very wealthy....
Jared October 7th, 2011 at 02:13 PM
^haters gonna hate.
tom October 9th, 2011 at 10:19 AM
she is fake blah blah blah...shut up and let her do what she likes. They did the interview because she penned a beautiful tune in video games
Heather LaHart October 9th, 2011 at 11:39 PM
Hey just to let you know, I've known liz since gosh...we were toddlers, we both grew up in Lake Placid. We worked together in a restaurant back in the day hostessing and bussing, and I always remember her coming in looking just as beautiful and expressingly dressed, and what beautiful lips she had (and she was 15 at the time). To say she is putting on an act is so far from the truth if you really know her and know where she comes from, you know that is just her. She embraces the things that she is passionate about and then puts them out there for the world to see. I commend her for that...and I hope she inspires others to do the same. To say she came out of nowhere too, I have known that she has been working at music since she came to New York, so it really isn't just like she's been at it for a month or two then bang. She's a great songwriter, singer, and person all around!
Char December 21st, 2011 at 11:05 PM
Heather- thanks for speaking up for your friend. As a member of the music community, it's hard to watch when the public and press start attacking someone you care about once they begin to get attention... people feel like they have the right to go after performers, without thinking about the way they might feel in that same position. I guess they do have the right, but I'd say, on the other hand, that it's a little bit unenlightened. Performers are still people.
Daina January 10th, 2012 at 01:53 AM
I'm getting sick and tired of people hating on Lizzy based on rumors. Even if she had taken a personal choice to get surgery that's her personal choice. Nothing that you say is going to fix anything, so please shut up about that. I think that her music is fantastic. Others may have different opinions, but if you do not care for her music you shouldn't go out on a hate rampage. She is obviously a very talented woman. All stars change their image, it's apart of the package when you sign up for record deals to match the music. I personally think she's also drop dead gorgeous. She has vocal talent and should be seen for this. I have high hopes that Lana Del Rey soars as an artist and that we are able to hear tons more from her! Go Lana Go!
TK October 10th, 2011 at 11:04 AM
'mesmorized'? Come the hell on. This does make her sympathetic, though you do have to wonder, if someone just wants to make music, about other routes they could take to avoid the limelight (writing for other artists and film, not signing with a record label, putting on a Fever Ray-style act, etc.).
Andrew October 13th, 2011 at 08:40 PM
lol @ Adam. Here's a lesson for you, free of charge. Only one thing matters: the music.
Mrt December 14th, 2011 at 05:02 PM
Amen
Shaun October 14th, 2011 at 12:41 AM
Not trying to "be a hater" here, but there is no mention of this Lizzy Grant persona she supposedly had. Why? As someone who works in the industry I can tell you that it could be because the label told the writer not to mention it. If the writer left it out then it's careless. I love her music, but the interview felt like there was something... not right. If she's not careful, the backstory will eclipse the music. (When Tori Amos had something similar with her first disastrous album she owned up to it, everyone was cool with it and moved on. Give fans more credit Lana!)
UnapologeticallyPOP October 14th, 2011 at 03:48 PM
She is here to stay, whether we like it or not. http://unapologeticallypop.blogspot.com/2011/10/in-defense-of-lana-del-rey.html