Lillimure
New York’s Lillimure has been singing for as long as she can remember. The Westchester native found an early connection to music through many long car, plane rides, and musicians in her extended family. She made her Spotify debut in 2017 with “Summer Blues,” which became an instant warm weather hit. The singer released the Canvas EP later that year, amassing over 55,000 steams on the platform. Her 2019 self-titled album saw similar success, featuring a refreshing, rhythmic tone. Lilli continues to perfect her craft while attending NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. The school boasts a list a famous alumni including Maggie Rogers, Fletcher, and Emily Warren. We spoke to Lilli about her musical connection, how she likes to kick back, and much more.
How did you get started making music?
I have been singing melodies for as long as I can remember. The first song I wrote was in third grade about a lost 3rd grade friendship — haha tragic, I know. It wasn’t until I got injured actually in gymnastics that I started leaning heavily into my musical intuition and really making music.
Walk us through the process of songwriting and inspiration for your song “Summer Blues.”
“Summer Blues” is the first song I wrote that I was really proud of, and made me feel like a songwriter. There is not a one-process-fits-all for songwriting but for this one I wrote the lyrics first about an unrequited 14 year old love. It’s funny talking about music that I wrote so long ago, ya know? It’s like stepping into the shoes of my 14 year old self!
We personally love the jazzy, R&B baselines in songs like “WDYTM” and “Wallflower.” What made you decide to go in that direction for the album?
“WDYTM” and “Wallflower” and most tunes on the album have a jazzier feel than the EP does. I never consciously made the choice to “go in that direction.” I learned a lot about music and worked with many musicians in between the EP and the album and that definitely influenced my recording decisions. I really loved working with those musicians — Henry, Sam, Jake — they’re also my friends and I feel like that connection makes a difference when making music together.
What song has been your favorite to perform?
My favorite song to perform live would definitely be “Something.” I think it’s every artists’ dream to have their lyrics sung back at them and that’s something I like to recreate at my shows. It’s a song about working with what you got to get to where you need to go — and when I hear the chorus chanted in a large group, I feel the room come together — we’re all dealing with different shit for sure. It’s heartwarming hearing people come together through my music.
Which artists would you say have had the greatest impact on your work?
Greatest impact? Hm. This answer is constantly changing. Growing up, my dad would play constant Duran Duran, Billy Idol, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder. When I was about 14, I heard “Give Me Love” by Ed Sheeran for the first time. In 2017 I could not stop listening to Frank by Amy Winehouse. I was star struck at how she bridged the gap between artist, vocalist, and musician. Joni Mitchell’s Blue, John Mayer’s Contiuum, Emily King’s The Seven EP all played a heavy role in how I listen to music. Fast forward to today there are so many musicians on the frontline of pop culture that I am absolutely in awe at — Tyler, the Creator, Amber Mark, Tom Misch, The Internet — I could go on. I’m constantly inspired by what new artists have to offer as well as the treasures I find in the music of the artists that have been with me the whole time.
Who would you consider a “dream collab”?
This is tough. As you can see I really had to limit myself in the last response — I could’ve gone on for forever. I would have to say Syd. I love the work she does on The Internet and her solo projects. I think we listen to music in very similar ways, and we would kill it.
Favorite non-music activity?
Outside of music I love doing a wide range of things, but I really just like hanging out with my friends. Sometimes we skate, hike, watch The Office — it really doesn’t matter what we do, the hang is always a good one!
