Interview: Kyla Brox

1:51pm Friday 25th July 2008

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She’s one of the rising stars of the British blues scene and she’s heading to Colne next month. Kyla Brox tells us that the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival has a special place in her heart.

KYLA Brox has every reason to look forward to the next few weeks.

For over the August Bank Holiday she will be appearing on the international stage at Colne Muni as part of the country’s leading R&B festival.

And then in September she’ll be getting married.

“We’ve just got back from playing in France,” she said, “and it’s one of the few times that we’ve actually got some time off so I’m using it to plan the wedding.”

At just 28, Kyla is one of the leading lights of the British blues scene and she has a great affinity with the Colne festival, having started off playing the fringe and on the acoustic stage before sharing the main stage this year with the likes of Ruby Turner and guitar legend Steve Cropper.

“I love coming to Colne,” said Kyla. “It’s got such a great atmosphere and all the people involved in the festival have a really good understanding of the blues.

“You get people of all ages coming to the festival and I think it’s great the way Colne has expanded the kinds of music being played so that it’s not just traditional blues. Now there are a huge variety of bands playing representing all aspects of the blues.”

The daughter of veteran British bluesman Victor Brox, you’d think it was inevitable that Kyla would follow in her dad’s footsteps — but it could all have been very different.

“When I was younger I did opera training and I had to decide whether to follow a classical career or even go more into pop,” said Kyla.

“But when I was 12 I just got the bug and it’s been the blues ever since. Even if I try to write a different kind of song, they always seem to end up as blues songs so perhaps it was inevitable.

“I just consider myself very lucky to be able to perform.”

Although she clearly loves the blues, Kyla has concerns about one particular aspect of the scene.

“The thing I do find depressing about the British scene is that sometimes I am the only female on the bill at a festival,” she said. “It’s much easier to get on if you’re a guitar band.

“I don’t think that it’s a case of women not liking the blues, I just think it’s harder for them to break through.”

Kyla plays the international stage on Sunday, August 24 when later in the day Ruby Turner will be playing.

“I’ll certainly be staying around to hear her,” said Kyla. “I’ve never seen her live before so that will be a real treat. To be honest, as a band we like to stay around and take in other bands and talk to fans as that’s all part of the fun of a festival. We’re not the kind of band to just play and go home.

Although Kyla hasn’t worked out the full set for Colne, she hinted there may be a few surprises thrown in.

“Last year when we played the British stage my dad got up with us for a number,” she said. “We have two guitarists we use in the band and Colne will be the first time they have both been available to play together, so that could be interesting.

“We do try to do something special for Colne so we’ll just have to see what we can come up with.”

Kyla’s music is a mixture of traditional blues and more emotional numbers.

“I love the meaty, emotional songs but I still love the cheeky old lyrics of the older songs.

“I just love to get up on stage and we give it our all.

"It’s nice to thnk that every time you perform you might convert a few more people to the blues. I guess I’m a blues missionary.”

* The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival in Colne runs from Friday, August 21 to Monday, August 25. For details contact the festival box office at Colne Muni on 01282 661234 or visit www.bluesfestival.co.uk.