Q&A: Dela Kay on “Guilty Conscience,” Inspirations, and Leaning Into Theatrics

Photo by Working Holiday

On November 19, alt-pop artist Dela Kay released “Guilty Conscience,” an anthem for anyone who has lived through a messy breakup. Although she’s been making music for over a decade, this past year has marked a period of refinement, with singles like “Between The Lines,” “Anybody Else,” and “Remedy” signaling a clearer, more confident artistic direction. Her latest release captures that evolution, pairing guitar-driven pop-punk energy with 80s-tinged synths and lyrics that confront betrayal, obsession, and the complications of modern relationships.

Keep reading for more about “Guilty Conscience,” Dela Kay’s songwriting, and what lies ahead!

Emma Zoe Polyak: For those who aren’t familiar with your music, how would you describe your sound? What’s the one thing you’d want listeners to know before pressing play?

Dela Kay: I would say it’s energetic, sincere, and feisty. It’s a nice balance between alt pop, Indie, and punk rock. If you have a lot of angst or a lot of emotions in a big heart, you’ll probably fit right in with my fans!

EZP: Congrats on the release of “Guilty Conscience”! I love how it combines alt, punk, and a distinctly nostalgic sound while dealing with a very modern issue of online betrayal. Tell me a bit more about the creation of the single.

DK: Thank you so much! I went into the studio with my friends Nick Cozine and Jake Finch not really knowing what to expect or what we were gonna make. I was healing from a previous relationship, so we started pulling from that. At the time, I honestly didn’t know if it was going to be a ballad… until we got to writing the chorus and decided to go full-fledged in the direction we did, and I’m so happy we did! Starting the track with Jake was really cool because he definitely had a feel for the more indie, 80s vibe when creating the demo. And then being able to pass that along to my friend Stefano and add some of the pop-punk elements from my previous EP – like the big drums and vibey guitars – was really cool to see come together.

EZP: Your songs often explore vulnerable topics, when you’re writing about something painful or personal, how do you decide what stays private and what becomes part of the music?

That’s a really good question! I think more than anything, when I start writing something and I’m processing, I actually don’t think about that too much. I just focus on what feels authentic in the moment. As a rule of thumb, keeping things simple and not over-explaining is always a good approach when writing pop songs.

Staying true to yourself and how you feel will always resonate more in the end, and I always try to stay vulnerable with my songs.

EZP: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your creative process? Is it usually the same, or does it vary depending on the song?

DK: I would say for most of my songs, I go into the studio with an idea, and from there, whoever I’m working with and I kind of create a vibe with guitars and drums. By that point, I’m usually coming up with lyrics and melodies, and I can do a melody pass. Once I listen back, I’m able to pretty easily start getting lyrics together, and that’s usually my process. I think I’m really strong with melodies, and once those are locked in, it helps the lyrics flow a lot easier.

EZP: You’ve been releasing music for about 10 years now, how have you seen yourself grow as an artist? Is there anything you wish that younger you knew?

DK: I don’t think my journey could’ve gone any differently. I’ve gone all the way from making dance pop and Deep House music, to indie folk music, all the way to the alternative lane now. I love living in the alt world, and I’m really happy to have a home here now. I think being able to go on that journey, and figure out what things feel good to me at different ages and stages in life was super beneficial to get me to where I am now. I think you can get caught up in trying to make super catchy hits when you first get started and that’s always important and fun to do! But I think where I’m at now is diving a little bit deeper with my lyrics and song content, and I’m proud of myself for being my most authentic self and vulnerable with my experiences.

EZP: I love your visuals – they’re always so distinct and match the vibe of your music so well. How involved are you in creating them for your music?

DK: Working Holiday was so amazing to work with on this song. Being able to tie in the theatrical and dramatic aspects with the red curtains and the 80s dance vibe was such a fun experience. I would say I’m very involved on the front end, explaining the kind of vibe I’m looking for and maybe showing my collaborators some references, but Working Holiday really did all the work coming up with the final looks, and I’m super happy with everything! It’s always really great working with people who share similar visions and vibes.

Photo by Working Holiday

EZP: I read that you’re from Nashville, but are currently based in LA – how have these big music cities influenced your music, if at all?

DK: I think growing up in Nashville, my mom was in the songwriting scene and would play at the Bluebird Café all the time. Being able to listen to hit songwriters growing up was super inspiring. Now, in my adult years, being out in LA with the culture of a big city and so many different sounds is just a whole new level of inspiration. I feel like all of us out here are really going after it, and it’s cool to be in a community of people who are passionate about their art. Learning how to write when I was younger was definitely shaped by my childhood, and it taught me to keep my songs as true and authentic as possible while focusing on a solid story. Now, taking that into rooms where I get to play with melodies a lot more has been both challenging and a really fun experience

EZP: Are there artists, albums, or eras that you feel have shaped your musical identity the most?

DK: I love Avril Lavigne, Green Day, Stevie Nicks, and Paramore, to name a few. Loving high-energy performances definitely shaped how I’ve grown as a singer and performer, as well as the style of music I really like to listen to.

Being in the alternative world is so electric and fun, and it allows you to play around with so much.

EZP: As a follow up, I always love to know what the artists that I listen to listen to – who are some artists that you’ve had on repeat lately?

DK: I love Hayley Williams’ new album, and I’ve always been a big fan of Paramore, especially since I’m also from Franklin, Tennessee, just south of Nashville. I’ve also been listening to Dijon, Holly Humberstone, Del Water Gap, and Tate McRae.

Do you have a favorite lyric that you’ve written?

DK: That’s a really hard question! I think every song has a handful of favorites because they all have their own vibe. But for “Guilty Conscience,” I would say, “Tell me I’m something special, tell me I’m something nice, like you’ll never leave me lonely but that’s a lie” - probably one of my most emotionally honest lyrics. I also really love that I call out someone being obsessed with OnlyFans in a relationship. To each their own, but that’s not really the vibe in my monogamous relationships haha!

EZP: Looking ahead, what’s next for you?

DK: I’m looking to get my live show up and running in 2026 and working towards a full EP or album next Fall! Super excited to get out there and make new friends and fans!

Photo by Working Holiday