Get ready to be transported to the world of STARPOP! Rising artist WOLFTYLA, known for her unqiue sound, just dropped her latest EP on July 19th.
Wolftyla pulls inspiration from everywhere, weaving R&B, pop, bubblegum pop, and bedroom pop! Want a taste? Her lead single “updown” perfectly captures the rollercoaster of life. Listen to it while you read and dive deep into Wolftyla’s sound.
You can listen to “updown” and enjoy the visualizer below while reading!
The Knockturnal had the chance to chat with Wolftyla about her music, inspirations, and even her recent performances across Asia. Keep your eyes peeled on her Instagram for what’s next – such as her recent project ‘STUDIO STARPOP‘ which follows the mission of helping other creatives in their own journeys.
Speaking of journeys… Let’s get into Wolftyla’s!
The Knockturnal: You’ve got a big upcoming release with “updown” leading into your EP STARPOP. What’s the inspiration and message behind “updown”? What kind of sound can fans expect from STARPOP?
Wolftyla: “updown” was inspired by the highs and lows I’ve been experiencing in real life. It tells a message that we can’t control the ups and downs, but we can choose not to do it alone. I’ve been celebrating many moments when I feel on top and finding strength on days when I feel down. “updown” kind of reminds me that when life feels like I’m going against the tide, to lean into the people I love for support. This is only just a glimpse of what the rest of STARPOP will feel like! The sounds blend a lot of early 2000s pop influence with a mixture of RnB and bubblegum pop.
The Knockturnal: Your music consistently delivers a unique sound! Can you tell us about your creative process for writing and producing this upcoming single / EP?
Wolftyla: Thank you! I wanted to experiment with new sounds and bring fans into this bubble that I’ve been in! The past couple of months have been filled with love, traveling, building a home, and regaining a lot of confidence in myself. The writing and producing happened to also reflect what’s been personally going on for me! Creating this EP has been an incredible process of self-discovery and artistic development. I’ve pushed myself to new heights and embraced change, all while staying true to my core.
The Knockturnal: STARPOP follows your previous EPs, Wolf in Color and Trust Fall. How has your musical journey influenced the tracks on STARPOP? What sets it apart from your earlier work?
Wolftyla: When I create full-body projects, I like to always have the songs exist within the same world yet so different from each other. None of the projects will ever sound remotely similar to one another because it is made during a specific time in my life. So with Wolf in Color you may get a lot of young, carefree energy, whereas compared to Trust Fall you’ll get a lot more confrontation, honesty, and vulnerability. STARPOP is bright, fun, and celebrates pure love so we can expect a lot of joy!
With all this talk about Wolftyla’s creative process, we couldn’t help but wonder about the other side of the coin: performing live! We were thrilled to learn that Wolftyla recently returned from performances across Asia, which included a headlining one in Seoul.
The Knockturnal: You recently took the stage at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Shanghai! That must have been such an empowering experience – What was that experience like? Any fun memories from the trip?
Wolftyla: The entire experience was truly unforgettable! I felt so welcomed and inspired by the people and the vibrant culture of Shanghai. I had a chance to work with some of the local dancers, DJs and rehearse with them for two days leading up to the F1 performance. It was beautiful that we were able to come together even with a language barrier because it shows that the music is what brought us together. I enjoy creating memories that live on forever like that for me. I had a lot of fun trying different foods, exploring the city, and performing!
You can watch Wolftyla’s vlog from F1 below!
The Knockturnal: Speaking of even more performances – You headlined a show in Seoul, the motherland! How did it feel performing there and sharing your music with a whole new crowd?
Wolftyla: It felt like a dream come true! I’ve been wishing to visit Seoul since I was very little so it felt like an honor to be able to have my first headline show there! It was refreshing to share my music with a whole new crowd and also see people singing the lyrics to some of the songs! My Seoul fans made my wish come true and I am so thankful for them!
The Knockturnal: Rocking stages like Formula 1 and Seoul must be incredible for Wolftyla! Has it given you any ideas to perform anywhere specific in the future? Is there a dream venue or city you’d love to play someday?
Wolftyla: Yes! I have dreams of performing in Brazil and Japan someday! That day will be a very special moment for me aside from performing in Shanghai and Seoul!
The Knockturnal: It was your first ever trip to Asia – So I must ask – Beyond the shows themselves, were there any memorable moments, like trying delicious new food or visiting a unique place that stuck with you from your trip to Asia?
Wolftyla: So many memorable moments! I love Asian food so I was really happy to try hot pot in Shanghai for the first time! The spices and oils are delicious! In Seoul, I had a lot of dishes that I grew up eating like kalguksu and galbi so I was happy to feel like I was eating home-cooked food every day. There was something very nostalgic about visiting Seoul and it was breathtaking to visit places like Bugak Palgakjeong.
The Knockturnal: Huge congrats on graduating from NYU! How did you manage to balance being a student and a successful artist?
Wolftyla: Thank you so much! Honestly, it was not easy at all. I tried my best to trust what season God had in store for me. There were a lot of times that I needed to step away from creating music to make sure my paper got handed in before midnight. Alongside, I needed to email my professor like: “Please give me more time to submit, I have to prepare for a performance that could be a career-defining moment for me.” Trying to manage the two worlds helped me to develop a growth mindset and find peace in me always trying to do my best.
The Knockturnal: “Wish” was your last single out, to play on those words… Do you have any wishes for “updown” and STARPOP? What are your goals for this release?
Wolftyla: I wish “updown” and STARPOP bring some happiness to the listeners and people can feel the love that was put into them. This STARPOP project has helped me through a lot of my hardest adult moments and has brought a lot of light into my life!
The Knockturnal: Thanks so much for chatting with The Knockturnal, Wolftyla! Before we close off, is there anything else you’d like to add or share with your fans and listeners in anticipation of “updown” and STARPOP?
Wolftyla: Don’t ever stop believing in yourself and never give up on your wishes! Thank you all for your support and I can not wait for you to hear the rest of STARPOP on July 19!
Check out the visualizer and experience the unique blend of English and Korean lyrics in “you (꿈)” from the STARPOP album!
For more of Wolftyla: