Lily Lane was undoubtedly born to entertain. Originally from Boston, the now Los Angeles based pop artist stems from a family of musicians, with her older brother being 1/2 of the multi-Grammy nominated duo, Sofi Tukker.
Having spent most of her adult years living in New York, Lane studied at the renowned Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU and after graduating with honors she went on to sign with Wilhelmina Models, becoming a champion for body positivity, female & LGBTQ representation. Making a bright entrance to the music scene, her musical endeavors shine, proving there are truly no limits when it comes to both her musical capability and likening soundscape. She claims, “There was never a plan B, modeling was a means to an end…Popstardom was always the endgame for me, since I could make sound.”
The pop artist has performed to a sold-out audience at the House of Blues in Boston along with Big Time Rush, sung for the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, as well as having played at some of New York’s most prestigious venues including Irving Plaza and Gramercy Theater.
How would you describe your music?
I would describe my sound as motown infused pop with a dark modern twist. Going to be honest I stole part of that description from a piece that was just written about me haha I just think they captured it perfectly! A mix of Mark Ronson produced Amy Winehouse, early Leona Lewis and female Bruno Mars!
Are you finding the isolation of the pandemic conducive to your writing or is it hindering the experiences you can write about?
I went through the dissolution of a 5-year relationship and musical partnership during the pandemic as well as a betrayal from one of my closest friends so in no way has the pandemic hindered my experiences to write, I have actually found the isolation extremely conducive for introspection and songwriting. The only thing the pandemic hindered was my ability to have in person sessions with some of my favorite producers and musicians, and though we made due on Zoom there is something so magical about spending the day in a studio with someone and getting to know them and making something together with each other’s energy that you don’t get online. Thankfully, everyone is pretty masked up and vaccinated these days so in person sessions have been returning and have been a joy.
What is your favorite song to perform?
For the last 6 year it was probably “Nothin’ But Trouble” because everyone always knew the words to it, but ever since I wrote “Bad” it has been my favorite song to sing at every show!
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
I would change how much the focus is on social media numbers and the concept of “fame” and focus more on giving attention to people who can simply make unbelievable music and perform it live, regardless of what their social following is or the memes they have created or what celebrity they resemble.
If we were to look at the artists you are listening to, who would be on your playlist?
Kanye West is on every playlist I ever make because the man has versatility in his discography. Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X, Portugal. The Man, Lana del Rey, and Lizzo are dominating my playlists right now.
Do you plan your music releases, or do you just finish a song and release it?
As an independent artist it is super difficult to plan out releases because when you plan them out you aren’t immediately putting out songs to make money, so you need to have money saved to pay for making a project. Living in NYC this was really difficult to do because the cost of living there was so high that any money I made or spent on music I needed a return on fast! This is why I only released singles when I was living in NYC, but since I moved to LA I’ve been really lucky that I’ve been able to plan out an entire project release which is what I’ve done with the EP Queen of Hearts released September 8th!
If you were a member of the Spice Girls, what would your spice handle be?
Extra Spice! I love my food extra spicy; I am extra spicy myself and there is a lot of me- 6 whole feet!
Would you rather be the one in a movie who gets the hero/heroine or the baddie with all the good lines?
I’ve always been one to root for the underdog- love a villain backstory. Definitely I’m the baddie! “Usually, a baddie but today I’m just bad!”
What is the most useless talent you have?
I can rewrite any song on the fly to make it about my dog hahaha, I also can sing pretty much any song back in its entirety after hearing it only three times.
Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
Natalie Portman
You are a new addition to a crayon box. What color would you be and why?
Red hot. Because I am red. I don’t know how else to explain. Listen to my music and you will get it!
Stream Queen of Hearts here https://open.spotify.com/album/5XHhNSOlf8dq5ARjLLavun
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilylane/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lilylanemusic
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lily.lane
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