Layla Zoe was only 4 years old when she began singing and loving it! Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Layla was raised around “good” music for the first part of her life. "I taught myself to sing by listening to old records." In 2001 Layla attended the Hornby Island Blues Workshop where she met David Gogo and later performed to a sold-out audience at the Port theatre in Nanaimo, B.C. for Gogo’s “The Evolution of the Blues” concert. The concert aired in 2003 on CBC radio’s "Saturday Night Blues Show" hosted by Holger Peterson. "Layla, a young blues siren! She reached deep into her guts to hit some of the notes. She had the audience in the palm of her hands." (Walter Cordery Review from the "The Evolution of the Blues").

In 2007 Layla was named the Female Vocalist of the Year by the Vancouver Island Music Awards, as well being the only woman and the only Canadian who made it into the finals of the Compo 10 competition in Jarvenpaa, Finland, winning the Compo 10 international blues songwriting competition! As a result she will be returning to Finland in 2008 to perform at the Lakeside Blues festival which has featured BB King, Johnny Winter, Muddy Waters and Koko Taylor over the years. Layla Zoe has been featured in magazines all over the world, and has received glowing reviews from the Toronto Blues Society, The Globe and Mail, Now Magazine and Canadian Musician Magazine. Also in 2007 she released her third self-penned and produced album titled "Hoochie Coochie Woman" featuring her own take on Muddy Water's well-known "Hoochie Coochie Man." Layla has produced 3 music videos (one for each album released) with the help of friend and director Richard Olak.

Layla recently performed at Massey Hall in Toronto for the Toronto Blues Society's "Women's Blues Review" which has featured such artists as Ellen McIlwaine, Dawn Tyler Watson and Serena Ryder. Layla has been called the "reincarnate of Janis Joplin" and was titled "Canada's Darling of the blues." She will be releasing her fourth album "Layla Zoe Live at Errington Hall" in 2008 as well as a DVD of live footage, interviews and her most recent music videos. Layla is an independent artist and has financed all of her albums, music videos and tours using her own funds. She moved from Vancouver Island to Toronto in early 2008, encouraged by her welcome in the previous year by many established blues musicians including Downchild Blues Band and Jeff Healey. Layla Zoe is a true Canadian talent and a force to be reckoned with in the blues/roots community and music scene. Keep your eyes and ears open for this rising star.

This 19 minute conversation was recorded in April 2008 in warm weather on a street in Toronto.

Full bio and tour info: Layla.ca

Photos and audio: MySpace.com/LaylaZoe