Emerging from the flames of a tumultuous journey of self-discovery, LIEZA boldly stepped into her newly formed alias as a bonafide artist through a curtain of raw catchy melodies and shimmery backbeats. LIEZA had written for years on her own, trudging through the trenches of the industry while simultaneously trying to find a home between Texas, London and Nashville. She finally found her sound after partnering with Grammy award winning writer and producer Femke. Her lyrical honesty reflects her insecurities and organic emotions and create an unspoken bond between the artist and the audience. The sparkling beats blended with acoustic and electronic elements in her music have influential notes from Banks, Lorde, and Ed Sheeran.
Her latest track, Don’t Make Me Dance, was written out of her troubled past with falling back in love with the wrong person, yet moreover reminds all to have the courage and wisdom to stand up for themselves, and stop something ultimately tragic before its gone too far. Combined with the artwork of another Nashville hidden gem, Ashley Manno, we hope that LIEZA’s newest track, Don’t Make Me Dance, will take these emerging artists and put them in the spotlight where we feel they belong.
In this interview spotlight, we chat with LIEZA about her new release, challenges, attending MTSU 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 from north Texas, around the Ft. Worth area, but I’m currently living in Nashville, TN. I’d say that it’s a fusion of electronic, atmospheric sounds and acoustic influences with heavy emphasis on meaningful lyrics.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I’ve just felt like music is what I’m meant to do. Ever since I was little, it’s all I’ve wanted. I went to MTSU in Murfreesboro, TN and that helped solidify my passions but there was never a plan B for me, no other option than to make this dream work. It’s a tough industry and easy to get discouraged when doors close in your face but music is the thing that makes me want to get up in the morning so the fact that my work is getting out there and making people feel less alone is the only motivation I’ve ever needed.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
Don’t Make Me Dance wasn’t one of those songs that is inspired by one event or person, but rather became this fluid culmination of lots of people’s stories that I know who have dealt with tough relationships that they struggled to leave. In the end I wanted to give the woman the power in the narrative, the chance to say “no” and have it be okay.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
Social media is such an integral part of becoming successful as an artist nowadays. And I feel like you have to find a way to strike a balance between selling your followers on your new music and being authentic and personable enough to appeal to them as a friend. It’s an odd little world, social media, I haven’t decided if I like it or hate it to be honest. But it’s definitely insanely cool that I can connect with people all over the globe that share my passion. Most importantly being in such a digital age has helped me break down the barriers and lets me share my music on an international level that wasn’t really possible for indie artists prior to technology.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
I am most active on my Instagram, but I also have Facebook and Twitter accounts that I post to regularly; all under @liezamusic. I try to respond to as many people as I can too so definitely stop by and say hello!
