Liv Charette spent her first several years in Nashville honing her craft, both in and out of the studio. She performed at writers’ rounds around town and played shows in both the US and Canada. She earned a degree from Belmont University and learned the recording process top to bottom.
She picked up her guitar and wrote when and wherever she could. A stellar writer in her own right, Charette has penned tunes with some of Nashville’s biggest hit makers as well as a number of up and coming songwriters.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Liv about her music, challenges, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I’m originally from Ottawa, Ontario. As an artist, I make pop country music but my writing style spans everything from heartbreaking singer-songwriter tunes to dance club pop tunes.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
Music runs in my family – my grandfather and uncle were both singers and entertainers – so music came naturally for me. After eleven years of figure skating, my heart just wasn’t in it anymore, and so I asked my grandfather if he would teach me how to sing for real and we’d jam out to ABBA songs in his basement for hours. At the age 16, I taught myself how to play guitar and songwriting quickly followed, and at the age of 18, I took my first trip to Nashville to write and record and there was no turning back! Music is part of who I am – I don’t know who I would be without music. When you love what you do every single day, the decision to persevere and keep going is an easy one.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
My latest release, “Boy Crazy”, is the third single I’ve released to digital platforms. I knew the day my co-writers’ and I wrote it that it was a special one. What I love about this song is that it’s fun, upbeat and lighthearted – you can’t listen to it and not want to bust a move! I hope that this song makes people laugh and want to dance.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this over saturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
Technology advances in music are both a blessing and a curse for independent musicians. Digital advances like streaming services, YouTube and even social media have allowed independent artists like myself get our music out into the world and at a much quicker rate than before. Recording technology has also made the recording process much more accessible for artists than ever before. Those same benefits also mean the market is a bit over saturated, as far as trying to have music heard when there are so many options for listeners. There’s room for all of us in the landscape of music creation, but it’s definitely a bit more difficult to find ways stand out among all of the great independent music that’s being put out now
What was the last song you listened to?
A few weeks back, I got to see Cher perform at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and I’ve fallen back in love with her music all over again. I recently recorded a fun cover on my Instagram of her song, “If I Could Turn Back Time”, and it’s been stuck in my head ever since!
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I love the convenience of MP3s and use them frequently for listening to demos or learning new songs. But my favorite listening experiences come from vinyl. I love hearing the pops and cracks, especially in older records that were recorded in a single take, live from the floor with a band. Vinyl also invokes a nostalgia in me for memories of my grandfather. I now own a part of his record collection and spin them as often as possible!
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I’m a big fan of Spotify, Apple Music and Pandora. All three platforms are giving independent artists the chance to have their music heard next to major label artists. Spotify is also giving listeners a more immersive experience by letting them make playlists of any artist they enjoy, it’s the ultimate mix tape! I also love the idea behind Pandora that gives listeners access to music they may not have heard yet that matches their musical tastes based on what they have played.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
I love connecting with folks via social media and I frequently use Instagram (@livcharette). My music can be found on my website at www.livcharette.com and on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora and other streaming platforms.
Anything else before we sign off?
Thank you, Joshua and MTM for featuring up-and-coming artists on your blog and giving them an awesome platform for their songs to be heard!
