Liddy Clark is the next newcomer in country music and one that is bound to take the genre to new heights. She’s only 18 and is well on her way to forging a new path in country music. Many country songs nowadays that you hear on the radio are about tractors, beer and partying but that’s not at all what Clark is about. She’s got thick skin, wears her heart on a her sleeve and is ready to share her story on a more personal level.
Her music is set apart lyrically as well as musically. She blends youthfulness with a sense of rebellion and bravery, making her stand out amongst the rest. Her hallmark voice and youthful country melodies will be sure to turn some heads as she makes her name known. One of her biggest influences may be Taylor Swift but Clark isn’t set out to be the next Swift. In fact, she wants to make her own mark and find her own path. She wants to be Liddy Clark.
Read our interview to get to know who Liddy Clark is and why you should start keeping an eye out for the young talent.
BTS: When did you start playing music?
LC: I started singing when I was about 7 years old. It’s funny because I found out that I’m related to the actual Pocahontas so, in my 7 year old mind I had decided to recreate a tribute to my ancestor in my school talent show. I sang “Colors of the Wind” from the movie. That was the first time I ever sang in front of crowd. After that, I started getting into vocal lessons and music theatre and transpired into this magical experience.
BTS: Who has been your biggest musical inspirations?
LC: One of the biggest influences for me is definitely Taylor Swift. She definitely inspired me to start songwriting and pursue this as a career. More recently though, I love John Mayer, Gavin Degraw, Brothers Osborne and Kenny Chesney.
BTS: Looking at your inspirations like Taylor Swift, who would you want to model your career after? Where do you see your career and your brand in 10 years?
LC: If I could model my career after Taylor Swift, I totally would but I definitely want to make my own path. I don’t want to be another Taylor Swift or another anybody else. I just want to be the first version of me. College is definitely something I want to do and I want to be able to learn while doing this. I think it’s possible and I want to be the first one to create that path.
BTS: You just released your newest single “Painted By Numbers” not too long ago. Can you tell us a little bit about the song and the importance of its message?
LC: I wrote this song when I was 16 and I was at a pretty low self-esteem point in my life and I didn’t feel good about myself. I had kept seeing all these pictures in magazines, YouTube and every other part of social media and I wanted to write about something that made me feel better about myself and made other people feel better about themselves as well. We live in such a world with such negativity and if I could be a voice in all of that and teach people to love themselves, I think that would be great. We need to love ourselves a little bit more in all of those chaos and darkness that is the world nowadays.
BTS: What was the songwriting process like for the song and how have you seen it resonate with your fans?
LC: I actually didn’t come up with the title. I wrote about 85 percent of the song when I went into the studio for the songwriting session with my co-writers. The chorus was all written out but I could not figure out what the song should be called or what I should add to the chorus. I knew it had to be something dedicated to numbers and on of my co-writers actually came up with “Painting By Numbers” but it was my dad who had asked whether it was painting or painted. I chose painted because it has more of a dynamic meaning.
The way it’s resonated with fans has been amazing. I’ve had actually people who have struggled with eating disorders comment on the song and tell me that its made a difference in their lives and that’s all I’ve ever really hoped for.
BTS: You just posted a video of you playing a cover of Cams hit “Mayday”. Why did you choose to cover that song in particular?
LC: I love Cam and that song has an amazing melody in it. It’s not her single at the moment but I had to cover it because it’s so good.
BTS: Speaking of big country names like Cam, you’ve opened up for pretty big names in country muisc. Who has been your favorite artist that you’ve opened up for so far?
LC: I loved opening up for Scotty McCreery and also Hunter Hayes. I love them as artists and being able to get to do that was an incredible experience.
BTS: What is your definition of authenticity and how do you implement that in your music?
LC: My definition of authenticity is really just writing whatever comes out and try and make it normal. You can’t control who you are and I just want that to come out in my music.
BTS: What are your plans for 2017?
LC: I have a few surprises coming up for “Painted by Numbers” and more radio tours and promo tours. I can’t wait to get started and I’m so happy to get out on the road.
BTS: What is on your playlist right now?
LC: The new Taylor Swift song “I Don’t Want to Live Forever” because it’s so good.
You can learn more about Liddy at liddyclark.com and listen to her newest single “Painted by Numbers” on Apple Music
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