Lily Meola – Daydream

By starrymag | February 4, 2022

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) My sound is constantly evolving. Before I started writing my own music, I found myself in a world similar to folk/country, but now that I’ve really dug deep and have my own voice, I think it veers more towards singer songwriter/soul pop.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I’m influenced by a wide range of artists from Joni Mitchell to J Cole.

Although those artists couldn’t be more opposite, I find myself inspired by them both and even referencing them in my writing process.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Smallest Things.”

A) “Smallest Things” is about the feeling you get when something takes you back to a specific time or place, whether it be a smell, sound, color, word or even an object.

I was with two of my writer friends Mags Duval and Eric Lev in Eric’s living room. He was playing the guitar riff you hear in the song while Mags, who is known for wearing bright lipstick, was sipping from a crystal glass. I was feeling very nostalgic. The line “lipstick stains on a crystal glass, sometimes I kinda miss the past” flew from my mouth and the rest of the song came together effortlessly.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Got Your Way.”

A) This song was written quite a few years ago about an ex-boyfriend who lived on the same property as me. Naturally, we still shared a few things…One of them being the laundry room… Shortly after the breakup an article of clothing I had in the dryer was being de-wrinkled before an event was accidentally brought over to his house… The wound was still very fresh, and I knew it was going to be painful to go over there. However, I really needed that dress, so I walked across the lawn and up his stairs, just to find him making out with the barista from our local coffee shop we went to very frequently…I later on found out she had mentioned “stealing” him from me, hence “got your way”…This was years ago and there are no hard feelings. I’m honestly grateful it hurt so much as I grew quite a bit from the experience, and it also brought me some cherished inspiration.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) Well, almost every human has gone through some sort of heartbreak/betrayal making it easier to connect to this song.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) The video for “Got Your Way” was filmed and produced by my two best friends. Forrest Dein (my current boyfriend) and Vivian Kim.  The song references the barista’s perfume, so we set the storyline around that. I go back to our house, grab his belongings and her perfume and drive out to the desert and have a cliché moment… Use your imagination or check out the video on YouTube. [laughs]

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) This is a great question and, honestly, every day is a different experience. Most days I come into the studio with a title that I like and a rough idea of what it means to me.  But some days I have nothing to say, and I just brainstorm over a track…Other times all I have is a melody…

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) It honestly depends on the song. Sometimes I am very involved, and other times just let the producer take the reins.

 

Q) What are some themes you explore on your EP Daydream?

A) This EP takes the listener on a bit of an emotional roller coaster. These songs were all written over the past few years as I grew and experienced all that life threw at me. You’ll find heartbreak, grief, love and adventure.

 

Q) What tracks hold a special place in your heart and what makes them so significant to you?

A) They all have a special place in my heart. This EP was written over the last few years and each song was inspired by something I went through, but if I had to choose I’d say “Daydream” might be the one that I feel the most connected to. It was written at a time in my life when I was truly living my daydream and I put it out when I was very down and needed to take my own advice. I say it was as if I wrote the song for my future self to re-inspire me to never quit doing what I love.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from checking out Daydream?

A) I hope to inspire anyone who feels lost in the mundane.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Chris Stapleton.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so notable to you?

A) The Maui Arts and Cultural Center holds a really special place in my heart. I’ve been lucky enough to have played there for various events since I was just a tween. The atmosphere and sound system are pretty hard to beat.

I also love the Troubadour. My mom and I have spent many car rides listening to the record Carole King and James Taylor recorded there, so it feels a bit legendary to me. I’ve opened for a couple artists but am very excited to headline my first show there in the new year.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) I’ve really been digging Colter Wall. His voice is so buttery, beautiful, and extremely unassuming.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) THANK YOU!!

 

 

Watch The Video for “Got Your Way”