LAVINIA doesn’t need your love cause’ she’s a believer
LAVINIA in July 2024 for REFLECTION VOL.1
STREAM LAVINIA HERE AND LISTEN TO HER LATEST TRACK ‘CALL ME DADDY‘ NOW!
(this is an old interview from august 2024)
Summer or Winter?
I love the summer more than anything so definitely summer. But, I sometimes suffer from the heat so it can't be too hot haha.
You’re Scottish, however, moved to Germany at the age of 13, Haggis or a “Mettbrötchen”?
Jesus! Erm, if someone pointed a gun at me and I had to decide, I think I would go with Mettbrötchen, even if it’s disgusting, haggis is just the worst.
Would you rather only listen to your own music or only listen to your current favorite artist?
I don’t personally listen to my own music privately, because it’s almost selfish, it’s like having your own picture as the background on your phone. So no, I listen to my favorite artist, Charli xcx.
Can you tell us about your creative process when writing a new song or album? How do you approach lyrics, melody, and production?
I usually start writing songs in studio sessions and there’s usually at least another writer & producer with me and we always think about what to write that day and I think my inspiration is maybe something that’s happened to me, or things that I love. First of all I love writing the chorus and coming up with the melody. After that my main Producer Sebastian works his magic, has great ideas and they always fit my project. We have a teamwork aspect in the studio. I’m also grateful to my management, they have great ideas too!
Do you have a preferred environment or routine for writing music?
I do! I always have like 2-3 producers and maybe 5-6 writers, my friends and I love writing with the same people. I guess I just love writing in cozy spaces with no pressure because when the studio you’re in is too big or fancy, you don’t feel comfortable enough to word your crazy ideas.
How do you know when a song is finished, or do you ever feel like it's truly complete?
I’ve had a lot of situations where I've had to rewrite songs. In my opinion a song is never really finished as you can always improve it, but at a certain point you just have to accept it, no one is a perfectionist, she laughs.
Can you walk us through your production process, from demo to final mix?
I usually write a song and then, the first thing i do is talk to my managers, maybe rewrite the song to make it better. I don’t really produce my own stuff, Sebastian as mentioned does his stuff, honestly BANGING work he does. The mix isn’t done by me and my team either, it's done by a 3rd party. I’m more of a writer/vocalist. I do have my own vision for the songs I make though.
Your song, K.O, what’s the story behind it? What themes or experiences did you draw from it?
That’s an interesting question to ask as I wrote that song after being heartbroken and it was really good to write that song because I feel it empowers people to just move on and not get stuck too much missing an irrelevant person. Sometimes the best thing to do when sad is to go out with friends and have a good time, let go a bit. Sometimes in life we struggle so much with our thoughts and things that are happening and I just love to dance my heart away and feel the music and be one with the “universe” or whatever haha, it really helps me. I don’t need anyone to make me happy, I can do it myself.
What was the most challenging part of creating your upcoming EP/album?
The most challenging part is that i’m still working on it. I’m still a fresh artist, I actually stopped being an artist a year ago for a while because I was so tired of just writing and producing stuff by myself and releasing stuff independently so yeah, I quit. Luckily in may I found an amazing management in april (or may?) and they gave me so much more confidence to become an artist again. K.O is my lead single and my first single with my new label JINX, so it’s still fresh and I have no idea what I want to release yet.
How do you hope listeners connect with or interpret the themes and experiences you've shared?
So the first thing is of course I definitely want people to have their own stories reflected (pun not intended lol) when they hear songs but I really wanna tell people that life can also really be fun as I suffered from very bad depression for a while and I just took everything so serious, I was trying to be the perfect girl for others and it made me so sad so I really want people to just live their life, not give a fuck and stay CXNTY (LAVINIA’s fans are the CXNTS). I really try to just bring energy and happiness and show others that life is so amazing. Oh and never forget to be a bad bitch.
What are your favorite songs and artists?
Yeah! I love Guess by Charli xcx and Billie Eilish. I also love Chappell Roan, I love all her songs because I love what she stands for and I really wanna put myself out there more like she does because I think she's amazing. Hmm, also maybe Troye Sivan too, and Sabrina Carpenter because I love the new album.
How do you balance your artistic vision with commercial considerations in the music industry?
To be honest, I love commercial stuff, of course I add my own spice to it but I don’t really care about what’s “in” as I kinda just go with the flow because I enjoy making EDM “commercial” stuff anyway as I'm not battling anyone and it’s part of a commercial genre.
Have you ever felt pressured to compromise your artistic vision for commercial success?
Not really, because I feel like the worst songs you make are the ones you are trying to make for other people to like. I remember when making K.O how we just did it for fun with an IDGAF attitude. I find it funny as I never believed it but it's always the songs that you find special that nobody is listening to that are the hits. Since K.O my writing has definitely strayed away from “normal” music. I kind of want to be less commercial.
How do you navigate the business side of the music industry while staying true to your art?
This is tricky, she ponders. Being an artist like ages ago you didn’t have to do social media but I'm actually loving social media right now because i can stay true to my art as they are helping me as I feel like fans/fan pages make it possible and are a part of the project, I have a few fan pages that feel like family. So yeah, I think social media is all pros and no cons. I don't have to do the money stuff as my managers do, so I can just chill and not send out emails or whatever they do.
Are there any industry trends or expectations you've chosen to defy or challenge?
Yep, I feel like as a vocalist in the EDM genre I do want to steer away from only doing features like many other EDM artists. I want to find my own style.
How do you approach live performances? What can fans expect from your shows?
I am like a can of IRN BRU, very high energy, if you come to see one of my shows I’m constantly jumping around, I love crowdwork and talking to fans. Think of it like a big party!
Are there any specific live performances or moments that stand out to you, and why?
Recently, my first ever show I played was in front of a lot of people, I loved it. However, I miss quiet sitdown guitar and singing concerts with a real band instead of electronic stuff, as much as I love clubs etc.
What's the most important lesson you've learned as a musician?
It’s not about being the most talented, but about being the most hardworking person in the room. Work your ass off!
What's your go-to karaoke song?
(She sings “you are, my fire, the one” “that one haha”) , I want it that way by the backstreet boys.
What about your best travel experience, have you gone anywhere unforgettable?
I have, I've been to places like China because my cousin is a pilot and used to live there or going back to Scotland visiting my Grandma and going to south Italy. Italy is my favorite place ever.
If you could pick any place to go in the future, where would you go?
Ooooh! Probably LA as I really wanna go there to write some songs or Bali to have a nice holiday.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
“If in five years it doesn’t matter, then you shouldn’t be sad about it for more than five minutes.” As an example, maybe you lost your jacket or phone? In five years it just won’t matter, so what you lost it? Who cares?
What advice would you give to anyone who is interested in the music industry? Anything you want the future generation to know?
Have your vision, believe in yourself and change for no one. Don’t let anybody bring you down and don’t sign random contracts.
Any final comments?
Thank you guys, for organizing this interview, and thanks to the fans, I love you all and really wanna you them someday!
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