Q&A: Lizzy Cameron on Her Introspective Journey as an Artist, Resilience & the Freedom of Expression in Her Upcoming EP

Q&AMusic

Dec 19

☆ BY Molly Rose Sharples ☆

BEHIND THE REVIVAL OF LOVE AND CONNECTIVITY IS A PROFOUND EXPERIENCE OF LOSS — a prevalent theme emulated in Lizzy Cameron’s upcoming EP and her introspective musings as an artist regarding her journey in the music industry thus far. Having entered the music industry at the age of 12, Cameron’s early years as a singer-songwriter were nuanced with challenges — while discovering a safe space to delve into her artistic visions as a songwriter and musician, Cameron’s bittersweet experience has crystallised her latest music with bold authenticity and individuality.

In Cameron’s latest single, “Faking It,” she showcases collaborative creativity and an openness to grow and evolve as an artist with a raw, genuine desire to progress both personally and artistically, attributes that she established through her self-taught skills as a musician from the age of six. She has matched with her divine resilience and determination: “Just singing and belting and letting myself use my highs and lows freely without reservation or fear of incapability,” she said.

Read below to learn more about Lizzy Cameron’s latest music, her upcoming shows in LA, and her music scheduled to be released in the new year.

LUNA: Hey Lizzy! It’s so nice to be able to talk to you. It’s super exciting to hear you’ve got some upcoming music ready to be released — can you give us some hints as to what the prevalent themes are within this project?

CAMERON: Hi! Thank you for having me — this is so fun. Absolutely, moving into this next little chapter is very focused on my life the past few years. Relationships coming together and falling apart, feeling very lost, figuring out who I am as a person and an artist. I’ve been trying to just have fun with what I’m making and not judge it too harshly as long as it feels authentic and genuine to who I think I’m becoming.

LUNA: Delving a little more into your personal experiences within the music industry, you entered the industry at a very young age, starting your career in Nashville. How do you think this has shaped your pursuits in the music industry thus far, and has it had any impact on the visions for your music?

CAMERON: Totally! I grew up singing in church when I was in kindergarten and then taught myself piano in 6th grade. As soon as I started playing, writing just started happening naturally. I still remember the first song I ever wrote was called “Heartache In Rain,” very dramatic (laughs). Going to Nashville around ages 12–14 was huge for me. Up until that point, I’d really only thought of myself as a singer, but there I was in four to five writing sessions a week with different writers and producers, and working with them showed me what a session even looked like and how I could share my heart and experiences in a safe space to create. I’m incredibly grateful for those summers spent there at such a formative age. I think I learned so much so fast that it was a little overwhelming, but looking back it definitely set me up for better success and to walk into rooms more fearlessly.

LUNA: Do you have any advice you would give to young artists entering the industry as a result of your experiences? On reflection, was there anything you would have done differently with how you approached the industry at such a young age?

CAMERON: Oof, yes, I would say that even if you don’t yet know who you are, you probably know who you’re NOT, and that can be a good place to start. I was so young in sessions where everyone was at least 10 years older than me and “knew better,” and I started to doubt my own input and silence myself when I wanted to say or suggest something. Please don’t waste your time and energy as I did for so long pretending to like things I didn’t feel connected to. Most of the time, people don’t take it personally and respect you even more for speaking your mind and being confident in yourself!

LUNA: Touching upon some of your latest releases, such as your hit single “Faking It,” I love how the instrumentals embody a fusion of pop against an opening of a soft melodic piano, which carries us into the opening verse. What does the process look like behind the instrumental aspect of your music, within songs such as “Faking It.”

CAMERON: Thank you! “Faking It” was a journey — I worked with a producer and friend of mine, Kevin Randolph, on this one. We went into the studio, just us two, and we started with a key chord progression and it grew from there. As he was building out the instrumentation, I was writing all the lyrics. At first, lyrically it just wasn’t landing, so I went back in a few weeks later with another good writer friend and mentor, Britt Burton, and we changed some lyrics and melodies to better get my point across. The song started to sink in and was so different for me, but I liked it. To be completely honest, I still think I was a little afraid to speak my mind in a session at this point and let the song get away from me at times. But going back in with Britt and talking it out together ended up bringing it together well. “Faking It” is cute — love her. The song marks a fun, confusing, transformative time for me, so I look back fondly.

LUNA: Since you’re currently studying songwriting in formal education at the University of Southern California, you’re clearly developing a solid amount of knowledge on the various nuances within your artistry. In terms of songwriting specifically, what does the writing process look like within your music, and would you say that this aspect is a more dominant inspiration within your songs, as opposed to instrumentals or visuals?

CAMERON: Oh, for sure. I’m a lyricist first and foremost. Sometimes it can get me in trouble because I’m in my journal and Notes app all day writing down ideas, but when it comes time to sit at the piano and put chords and a melody to all of my words, sometimes it can be hard to fit in everything I want to say, the way I want to say it. That’s something I’m working on right now in my process and trying to have fun with again. Just singing and belting and letting myself use my highs and lows freely without reservation or fear of incapability. My professors at USC, specifically Sean Holt, have really been pushing me to expand and stop limiting myself when it comes to the musical aspects of the craft. I’m very grateful for the people who push me to be better because they love me and believe in me.

LUNA: Would you like to touch upon any upcoming plans that you have for the upcoming months or year ahead?

CAMERON: Well, Nov. 22 I’m playing Writers Block at The Hotel Cafe, 8:15 p.m. if you want to come hear a stripped-down acoustic set of originals. I’m really looking forward to playing more live shows around LA and in the USC community this year with a full band (so if you’re throwing one, hit me up please!). Being in school full-time till graduation in May, I’m constantly learning and growing and changing so much that sometimes it can feel hard to stop and take a breath to put something together that captures a period of time in my life. But that’s the goal moving into the new year. I’ll be releasing new music in 2023 — a few singles to start and then an EP. I think you’ll like it.

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