What is your name?
Livia Royal
What is your genre of music?
Pop/R&B
Give us a little bio about you.
I grew up in and around Chicago and the music scene there. My mom was a singer and I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. I write and produce most of my music myself because I like being self sufficient. I also love stories- the more fantastic, dramatic, romantic the better- and including them in my music.
What made you go into music?
I’ve always known I wanted to make music. I’m obsessed with it nothing else fits.
Are you a signed?
I’m not currently signed.
You are set to release your new single ‘Locked Up’, tell us more about the single.
When I wrote this song it was the first time I’d ever felt anything close to heartbreak and I had this habit of (poorly) trying to pretend I was over it and it prevented me from writing honest songs. When I wrote Locked Up it was a release for me. I was acknowledging my own feelings and saying what was actually on my mind without restricting myself.
What is the meaning behind the single?
When I wrote “Locked Up” I was thinking about the language of “cuffing” as it’s used to describe being in a committed relationship and how it invokes language of imprisonment. I’d never thought much about the phrase before until I told this person how I felt and he told me he didn’t want to be cuffed. Though I know he didn’t mean it in this way I felt frustrated because I wasn’t trying to be his jailer. When he ended up with someone else, I just said in this song exactly what I felt which was my realization of “Oh it’s only me that you don’t wanna be cuffed to. I’m the only one who feels like a prison to you.”
Describe the track in two words.
Indignant and vulnerable
What was the writing process like?
I start by writing most of my songs on the piano and Locked Up was one of these songs. It allows me to feel most connected to the core identity of the song. It makes the song feel more grounded to me than if I started by making the track on the computer. I like to feel the keys and hear the notes reverberate around the room and see if the song moves me that way before I go on to produce it. And with very emotional songs like Locked Up this is the way I get the most release.
What was the recording process like?
There were several months between when I wrote the song and when I was emotionally ready to produce it and when I went back to the song I wanted the song to have a propelling energy. I focused a lot on creating a really tight rhythm while trying to be very earnest in my vocal performance. I wanted the rest of the production feels a little less grounded, to evoke a drowning kind of feeling. The whole atmosphere was really relaxed and peaceful because it was just me in the studio focused on creating my art.
Who did you work with on the single?
I worked on this song by myself. I’m grateful to my friends who gave me constructive criticism, notes, and advice while I was working on it.
Listen to Locked Up here
Will we see a video for ‘Locked Up’?
As a right now there’s no video for Locked Up but creating visual content for my music is something I’m really looking forward to working on in the future.
Will we see an EP or Album and if so, what can we expect?
Locked Up is not part of a larger project but I’m in the process of working a mixtape that I’m really excited about to be released sometime in the upcoming year.
Do you have any shows coming up?
I’ll be performing this summer in New York and I’ll keep everyone posted on those dates.
What else can we expect in 2019?
Definitely expect more releases in 2019
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any up coming artists?
I’m hoping to start some collabs this summer!
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
I’m definitely up for serious collaboration they can dm me or email me at liviaroyal8515@gmail.com
Do you play any instruments?
I play piano a bit but mostly I make all my music on the computer.
Who are your influences?
Beyoncé for sure. Alicia Keys, Jhene Aiko, Stevie Wonder, India Arie, SZA, Ingrid Michaelson, Aaliyah a lot of artists
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
I get inspired by amazing music other people make for sure, when I listen to a song and I think “omg I wanna make a song like that” is one of my biggest sources of inspiration.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
In 5 years I see myself finding the people who actually connect on a soul level to my art, touring, continuing to be creative.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I’m probably in class. Or working. Or reading.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
I remember hearing Fantasy by Alina Baraz in like 2015 on the street in Boston and yelling at the person who was playing it to find out the name of the song. I’d never heard R&B like that before and it totally changed by concept of what kind of music I wanted to make.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Some things are just for your journal.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Take the feedback you like and leave what you don’t. Everyone’s gonna have an opinion on your art you can tell in your gut which advice is gonna better your work and which advice doesn’t serve you.
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
Lou malnati’s the pizza’s bomb plus I used to work there.
Your coming off tour, what do you do next?
I haven’t been on a full tour yet. I’ll let you know when I get there.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Water bottle
My phone
Lipgloss
Vocal warmups
The words
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you? Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
