What are your full name?
Lily McKenzie
What is your genre of music?
R&B / Electronic
Give us a little Bio of the you.
Lily has collaborated with producers and artists such as Breakage, Wiley, Brackles and Falty DL to name a few. More recently she appeared on ‘Shelter’ by Spectrasoul and the Breakage record ‘Stolen’ on Digital Soundboy album ’When The Night Comes’.
Lily McKenzie has had a passion for singing and song writing from the early age of 7, when she would write songs accompanying herself on her first instrument, the piano. The former Brit School student has honed her craft and sound on her latest record ‘Sunlight’, using elements of acoustic piano and minimal electronic. She now self-produces all her own material, and is proud to showcase this EP.
How long have you been doing music?
Since as long as I can remember, But I started properly when I joined a Grime crew at 15
What made you go in to music?
I have always had a passion for writing poetry and making songs up on the piano so it was just a natural thing for me to do
Are you a signed?
No, I am an independent artist
What instruments do you play?
Piano and vocals
Who are your influences?
90s R&B, early 00’s grime, garage, drum and bass
When will your new material be out?
It’s out this week! Sunlight my first self produced EP is now available to download for free on my soundcloud page
Will you be doing any gigs?
Yes, in the new year- all gigs can be found on my website.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Usually an idea or topic will come to me based on my own experiences or something a friend has been through. When I’m stuck I like to read or watch films to get different angles on a situation.
Where do you see yourself in 2-5 Years?
Creating music that I love, to have grown musically in terms of my sound, production and song writing – and to be working with producers and collaborators that inspire me. To still be having fun with music and to be selling music to people who love what I do.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I like cooking or going to the gym, sometimes I’ll chill out and watch some rubbish TV with a pack of biscuits and a cup of tea.
If you could collaborate with one UK Artist who would it be?
That’s a hard one, there are so many great artists making great music here at the moment. Probably Skepta, I’ve always been a massive fan. Or a singer called Kwabs- he has such a beautiful soulful voice.
If you could collaborate with one USA Artist who would it be?
Justin Vernon from Bon Iver – I love Bon Iver’s music and he seems so creative- I would imagine a studio session with him to be very inspiring.
Where is your dream venue or festival to perform in UK?
Glastonbury.. I have always gone to the festival since I was young and it has to be the most exciting place to play
What was the first song you wrote?
I’ve always written songs and poems since I can remember, but the first song I recorded was called ‘Today’ and it was about letting go … It was just piano and vocals and I recorded it when I was 13.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
To focus on the music and on being you, nothing else matters and the rest will follow
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Everything happens for a reason, I’m an over thinker so I stick to that saying otherwise I would drive myself insane!
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Water, keyboard, Laptop, Lip gloss, lyrics!
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lilymckenzie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LilyMckenzie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lilymckenziemusic
Website: www.lilymckenzie.co.uk
