The music we grow up with influences our lives in various ways, the music we grow to love, our dreams and what we dream, memories, how we see ourselves, our careers, and what we create. For Livy Land, growing up around soulful records inspired not just the career path she wants but how she approaches it and how she views life.
In July, Livy Land released her debut single, “Temperature.” As a debut single, “Temperature” captures everything about Livy Land; her soulful voice; her alternative approach to music, which she terms “rhythmic music” based on her creative process, tells how she perceives the world.
In conversation with Livy Land, she takes us deeper into her the world her debut single showed.
How was growing up for you like, and how did that lead you into your introduction to music?
Livy Land: I’m from Delta State but I grew up in Lagos, and growing up in Lagos I didn’t really go out that much so I had just music and TV. So I got attached to that, I think it’s because it comes from within, something that sparks up the feeling of passion for the music. So music is, more a part of me now.
Did you have any particular Influences growing up, like some of the biggest ones? Whether like their style, personality or anything generally, that just appeals to you?
Livy Land: Yeah, so I grew up listening to Mariah Carey, I fell in love with the music and her sound. The way she sounds influenced me to want to be like that. I remember listening to her album and after hearing everything I was like wow, she sings so good and I wish to be like her and I was like but would I ever reach that height and I was like well, I can’t oh, until I try. So, I decided to put in the work, I got involved with a lot of choirs, a lot of musical activities straight from secondary school down till University, I was always involved with the music department. That has developed me to the level of skill I have now vocally and musically.
I also listened to Adele, I also listened to Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, umm, Asa. Asa was one of the biggest Influences also back then because in Secondary school, we always used to sing her song like, always. She cuts laughter in between.
So, I grew up to appreciate her sound and you know, I followed her till now I still love her sound. These are women who are stuck in the game, who have proved that yeah, we can do it. So, they encourage me alot, yeah.
So what goes on in your head while you create music?
Livy Land: When I’m writing a song, in my head, I’m thinking of the scenario I want to play out. Yeah, so if by chance I’m thinking of heartbreak, I’ll put myself in that position of a heart broken woman and I try to express how I would feel if I am going through that heartbreak. And that is the engine that drives this my lyrics. So, the other engine that drives the lyrics is the song itself. Because, you know, we are using words and words have syllables, and syllables are partly the same way the beats are. So you have to put in your words that fit into the beat.
Its kind of a formulary process like science you know, you add sugar, you add spice you know, everything nice. So, I’m adding my thoughts, I am adding the syllables, I am adding that beat, I am adding the time I have to create the verse, and the time I have to create the chorus, and then I’m thinking of the bounce I am going to use to sing that line. So, it’s alot of calculation you know, don’t let them tell you maths is not important, it is.
Can you speak a bit about how your song “Temperature,” came together?
Livy Land: “Temperature” was actually originally written by my husband, he came up with the melody and the line ‘you make my temperature rise.’ So, I took that line and I built on it and in hearing ‘you make my temperature rise/now I realize I think it’s time we cut size’ She sings briefly and added that, “I wrote that line, I was like okay, this is going towards, I was feeling something of relationship vibes.
So, if I’m in a toxic relation how would I know that I am in a toxic relationship, and I decided to, that’s when I started picking out the red flags. Like, complaining, fake attitudes you know, pretence and also physical violence. These are traces of toxic relationships, any relationship that doesn’t make you happy or makes you always complaining.
Does marriage have any particular impact on your artistry or just where you are heading generally?
Livy Land: Yes. It has a big impact. Before marriage I don’t think I was as focused as I am now you know, getting married really put your mind in the right place, that’s if you want your mind to be in the right place. It would help you focus on your dream, your goals in life. Because life is not all about Jaiye, and you know vacations. You have to make money. She laughs. So especially when you have kids involved. You have to make money. So, yeah marriage should make you more serious with your life.
What are some challenges you think you’ve overcome that made you a better person, or artist?
Livy Land: When I started recording, I had issues letting people write for me, I’ve always been a DIY artist, so, you know, I have what’s in my head, I have a direction I want to go and I don’t like being pushed into other directions when I already have my mind set. After getting signed by Captive Music, you know I had to go through some artistes turbulent, and I had to let go of myself a bit, you know, allow myself to be taught how to make proper music. I would say in summary, my challenge would be learning how to take advice concerning my music.
What drives you most to keep creating?
Livy Land: The satisfaction of completing a project. Yeah, you know when you’re playing in a game and you keep winning in the levels, it makes you want to try more levels. So, I don’t know if you are getting me. Yeah, so, the more you win, the more you want to win. So, it’s encouraging for me when I finish a song and it sounds so good. I am like okay, let me do another one. So yeah. Success drives me.
If you are to describe your sound, how would you describe your sound?
Livy Land: I would describe it as rhythmic music. Yeah, I call it rhythmic music because I tend to serve within genres. I don’t want to just make R&B or just Afrobeats you know, my mind has been exposed to so much that I have the drive to try everything. I have the will to bring everything together. So, what music genre has in common is rhythm. So, I am able to combine those rhythms and create homogeneous mixtures. Then, yeah, that’s my music. But you can call it Alternative. It’s easier to explain it that way.
Why the name Livy Land?
Livy Land: Okay, because my name is Olivia. So, I got Livy from that. And, Livy Land represents my thought pattern, I want Livy Land to represent my perceptions, my core values. I want Livy Land to be a community that preaches in the name of peace and love. That’s real peace and real love, you know, showing kindness towards one another. You know I want people to be less harsh to each other, you know there’s alot to be happy about. I’m creating music that can make people happy enough to let go of their issues or just forgive each other and let go of grudges.
Whats your dream collaboration for you?
Livy Land: My dream collobaration would be with Mariah Carey, you know. Mariah Carey or Asa, is a dream collaboration. But my biggest dream collaboration like another one would be one with Adele.
Is there anything in the pipeline, like may e new music or something or content or stuff your current and new fan could be expecting from you in the coming or near future?
Livy Land: Yes. I have a song with Ria Sean but it’d probably be in my EP. So, that’s till next year, but I’m dropping another single this year.
Anything that you’d like to say that has not been said?
Livy Land: I’m also an entrepreneur. Yeah. I manufacture my own Faux locks extension and it’s called Captive Hair. I’ve been doing that since 2016.
