Interview: Lizi Bailey
Houston based singer/songwriter Lizi Bailey has released her latest single 'Because of Love'. We spoke to Lizi to find out more about how she is inspired by the likes of Charles Wesley to create modern-day hymns, and how she hopes to inspire other people.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I have been making music since I was quite young, I wrote poetry and started making melodies as a kid. My household was a musical one. Through years of relationships and various collaboration, it has grown to become more than just a hobby I enjoyed on my own.
Tell us about your recent single 'Because of Love' and what the inspiration behind it was?
I love and appreciate the old hymns. I grew up on them. I was very inspired by the one by Charles Wesley called And Can It Be so I sort of wrote a modern interpretation. I wanted it to be singable so my church could use it in corporate worship.
Do you have any plans to release more music in the near future?
Yes! I am currently collaborating on a couple of singles which will be released in the next few months.
What message would you like people to take from your music?
I hope people are inspired to seek truth, to think about life and what it’s all about. I hope they feel encouraged and challenged and just enjoy it!
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
I’d say soulful singer/songwriter. I write from guitar or piano mostly. And I try to sing as authentically as I can, from a real place in my soul. Lots of influences! Feist, Chopin, Dario Marianelli, David Gray, Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Bill Withers, Mumford & Sons, Gregory Alan Isakov
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
I would love to do a record with Matt Hales (Aqualung). He is an amazing writer and producer.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
I have to differentiate being and an artist and having a career in music. I make music because I love making music, whether anybody else hears it or not. In that I feel very lucky and successful to have made a lot of music I enjoy. The career part is growing, but I am still in the starving artist category haha!
What is your favourite album of all time?
I don’t think I can pick favorites… depends on the day! Any day is a good day for Led Zeppelin though!
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
Probably Beethoven’s 7th. Second movement. I’d die happy.
What does this year hold for you?
We’ll see! Hopefully more good music released, new collaborations, deeper understanding of life, and more love!
