Interview: Co-writers Kyle Falconer & Laura Wilde on new musical NO LOVE SONGS
Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
No Love Songs is an original new musical that follows Lana and Jessie as they learn to navigate the unique challenges of their new lives as parents. We spoke to the co-writers of this unique and urgent gig theatre show: Mercury Prize nominated Scottish indie band, The View’s Kyle Falconer and his partner Laura Wilde.
Congratulations on the London transfer of No Love Songs. Can you tell us a bit more about the show?
Thank you, we’re so excited to take No Love Songs to London! The show is about the turmoil that can come with becoming parents for the first time, the gender roles that you naturally fall into when becoming new parents, and about love and relationships. It’s based on our journey through post natal depression at a time when Kyle was writing in America and I was at home with our young children alongside the release of his second solo album, ‘No Love Songs for Laura’. All of the songs in the musical are from this album and it’s all written about that journey we experienced.
What has the experience of creating the show together been like?
It’s been amazing actually - we haven’t killed each other… yet?! Ha. It’s been really lovely being able to be creative together. Kyle’s of course known for his creativity and it’s been nice for me to step into mine with my biggest supporter and we both inspire each other/motivate one another so it works for us!
How does the process of writing a musical compare to the process of writing an album?
It was a little different for me because the songs were already there. Laura and Johnny McKnight were the ones who pieced the original story that Laura and I took to the Rep together. However, it was a different experience working with Gavin Witworth to translate the songs from the album onto the stage. He’s so talented and it was just brilliant hearing the songs stripped back to the way they were when I first sat at the piano writing them before they got everything added to them for an album.
No Love Songs was a hit with critics at the Fringe. What sort of reactions did you get from the audience?
The reactions from the Fringe were unreal! From the live reactions of laughter and tears, to many many messages to us across social media saying how we have helped them, their relationship, or made them go back and visit their journey as parents/raise awareness about postnatal depression. It’s been very emotional but in the best way!
What do you hope audiences take away from the show?
We hope they take away a sense of comfort and to raise that awareness about these sort of hard subjects and bring a message of hope and inspiration.
What are your plans for the show’s future and for further projects?
Kyle is still touring with his band The View alongside hosting our writing camps in our house in Spain, La Sierra Casa alongside our business partners. So it’s non stop at the moment! Laura is focusing on new material. But we are still so invested in No Love Songs, it’s our baby and we just hope for it to tour all over the world for years to come and just explore other avenues that come with that!
No Love Songs plays at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 4-15 June, with further info here.