Interview by Sasha Simon.
With her debut EP released late 2010 (including three songs – Not Gonna Cry, Worth Fighting For and Wishlist) and a brand new video, Colours, she has caught our attention. As we watched her video and joined her in her journey to find true love, we fell in love with both her music and her voice. I personally have a soft spot for a sweet, romantic storyline and was delighted by the one in her video, as well as impressed with all that she has achieved at her age, from moving to New York to becoming the opening act on the “Waiting4U” tour, to producing and recording a number of beautiful songs. I was very lucky to have the opportunity to interview her and gain a little insight into her day-to-day life.
GZ: When did you know that you wanted to pursue a music career?
Lily: I always knew that I wanted to sing, and I always knew I loved it, but really wanting to pursue it as a career happened at the end of high school when all my friends were excited about college and what was coming next and the only thing that gave me butterflies like that ever was music.
GZ: From where do you draw your inspiration for your songs and music?
Lily: I draw my inspiration from my life, friends’ lives, past and current boyfriends, crushes, teachers, friendships and experiences.
GZ: How were you able to gain the position as the opening act for Big Time Rush and the Waiting4U tour?
Lily: My amazing manager got my music and my face out there to the right people, and they said yes. It was the greatest experience. I’m very lucky, but I’ve worked very hard and was told no many times before I heard those yeses.
GZ: What challenges have you faced as a singer?
Lily: I’ve had to face a lot of challenges as a singer. I’ve heard the word no so many times from people in the industry. I’ve been told by people I really cared about that they didn’t think this is what I should be doing. I’ve also been told to quit, but overcoming these challenges has made me stronger and more sure than ever that this IS what I should be doing.
GZ: How have you managed to overcome these challenges?
Lily: I’ve overcome these challenges because of the love and support of my family, my wonderful manager, being comfortable in my own skin and knowing myself and my amazing, wonderful fans. I can’t ever stop now. I know they’re counting on me.
GZ: Is there any particular person or people that have inspired you and helped you in your journey?
Lily: My family, manager, friends and fans have all inspired me and helped me in my journey.
GZ: What does an average day in your life involve?
Lily: A day in my life involves waking up, working out and going to the studio to record or write or film a video. If I’m preparing for a tour, I’ll have a rehearsal in there too. Some days I have voice lessons, then I’ll come home, do an interview, have dinner and go to sleep. I’m busy but I love it.
GZ: What do you do when you are not singing, recording or performing?
Lily: I go to concerts and movies, bake cookies, spend time with friends, work out and do a lot! I love doing nothing though. Whenever I have time, I love sleeping or just curling up with a good book.
GZ: How old were you when you moved to New York?
Lily: I moved to New York a year ago; a couple of months after I graduated from high school, right when I was turning eighteen. I’ve been here for a year now and my nineteenth birthday is this month!
GZ: Why did you decide to move there?
Lily: It was either here or LA. Those are really the places to be if you want to make it, and I knew I was going to give it everything I had. I’d spent the summer before in LA working on music and I knew I was more of an east coast girl, plus my family is in Boston so I wouldn’t be too far from them. I’m still just a kid, so it’s nice to know I’m a short plane ride of couple of hours drive away.
GZ: What do you love most about performing?
Lily: I love connecting with my fans. It’s like making a couple hundred new friends each time I perform for new people, because I’m having a conversation with them through my music; telling them my story and hoping the connect with it and understand me.
GZ: What is the hardest part of recording and performing your music?
Lily: I’m so lucky because recording and performing my music is the easiest and most natural thing in the world for me. NOT recording and NOT performing is hard; it’s something I need to get out of me!
GZ: Have you had any embarrassing moments on stage or during recording?
Lily: Thankfully and surprisingly, I haven’t had any embarrassing moments on stage recently, though in 6th grade I performed my big number in my elementary school musical with my skirt tucked into the waistband of my panty-hose. (OOOPS!) But in the studio, sometimes when we are on a break I’ll be in there listening to my iPod and I’ll start to rap along to a hip-hop song I have in my iPod and I will look into the other room and see the guys laughing at me rapping… awkward.
GZ: When will your debut album be released?
Lily: Sometime in 2012. As soon as we are done and happy with it, and as soon as we have the right people to release it with and the right plan to go about it, you will all hear it. I’m really proud of what I have so far and I’m sure I’m going to be even more proud of the final product.
GZ: What is next on your agenda?
Lily: Working on my album and going on more tours next year to get my music out there more!
GZ: What advice can you give to aspiring artists?
Lily: Every time you hear no, use it as an incentive to make the next person say yes. If you quit after one “no”, you’ll never get anywhere. Just keep doing your best and one day the right person will say yes.
