If you haven’t heard about Liza Anne now, it’s likely because you are purposely tuning out. Since we brought you the premiere of her video for “The Colder Months”, a lot has happened in the world of the young Nashville starlet. Her debut LP, The Colder Months, released on February 4th; iTunes editors tagged the track “Watering Can” as “New And Notable”; Paste Magazine dubbed the same track as a “Must Listen”; MTV and VH1 snagged up the video for “The Colder Months”; and interviews have been pouring in from across the country.
Needless to say, if you haven’t cleared your Friday calendar for Liza Anne’s Album Release Party at The High Watt, you must be purposefully neglecting your love of music. This is your opportunity to be there as it all begins for a young lady that has a terribly bright future ahead. Things get started at 8pm with openers Sam Pinkerton and Aliza Carter Band, and you can grab tickets to the show right here.
In the meantime, reacquaint yourself with “The Colder Months” below, and get to know Liza Anna from our recent interview.
No Country: Thanks for taking the time to sit down with us. So, you’ve had quite the busy winter. You had a successful kickstarter to fund your album, The Colder Months, which you just released on February 4th. In the first week after it dropped, iTunes editors selected it as “new and notable”, and you charted into the top 10 in their singer/songwriter section. Paste Magazine gave you a shoutout. MTV and VH1 are fans. You’ve recorded a Daytrotter session, and you’re slated to be in the upcoming issue of American Songwriter. And, now we have the release show coming up on Friday (Feb. 21) at The High Watt. While you surely were proud of your effort, I can’t imagine that you dreamed that all of this would be happening for you so fast. What has this experience been like?
Liza Anne: It is a dream, really. It’s just crazy the amount of hype that has come along with it already. As far as balancing all of the things going on with school and work – it’s been extremely hard, but I’ve kept my head above water and am just so excited for what this release holds. Right now, my band and I are getting excited for the release show and I’m getting myself ready for an acoustic living room tour. So, all together, it’s been extremely busy – but all totally worth it.
NC: Tell us a bit about your band? Who’s invovled, who’s been influential?
LA: I met them all through Belmont and couldn’t have done any of this without them this past year. Especially Zachary Dyke, the producer from the record/one of my dearest friends – his belief in this project has been what’s made it. As for the rest of my band, I feel like they’re all my brothers who think I’m cool enough to be a part of what I do. They all are extremely talented, and spending time with them is one of my favourite things to do – also, they are all super handsome and kind, I’m lucky.
NC: So, you grew up in a small town in southern Georgia, were there musical influences in your town or family while you were growing?
LA: My mom and dad weren’t very musical, but my uncle is probably one of the main reasons I am who I am musically. He made me a few mix tapes around my early teens that had artists like Joni Mitchell and Brandi Carlile and Emmylou Harris and told me to ‘stay away from the Lil’ Waynes in the world’. Not gonna say I don’t listen to Lil’ Wayne, love him a lot, but that was extremely formative in who I was as an artist – especially lyrically.
NC: When & why did you move to Nashville?
LA: I moved almost two years ago, right when I was newly 18 – partially for school, mostly for music. I really was just craving to be in a creative community. You asked before about my hometown and the music there and, yes – there was a tiny bit of a music scene, but compared to a place like Nashville, it just seemed a bit stifled.
NC: What has the Nashville music community meant to you?
LA: Oh, geez. It’s been an absolute dream, really. There are few places in this world that hold the amount of talent, and songs, and creatives, and dreams as this city. It’s impossible to not be constantly creating. Also, aside from music, the Nashville community has the best food – all I want in life is good food and kick ass cream soda and have found both here – shout out to The Pharmacy.
NC: Do you have any influences that you look up to in Nashville or beyond and why?
LA: I feel like I’m rarely lucky to have a group of close friends who are all just going for it – so, as cliche as it sounds, my influences mostly come from those who I just do life with.
NC: What’s on the horizon for Liza Anne?
LA: Man, I am just so eager for this year. I’m going on a living room tour starting in March, so I’m looking forward to playing house shows all up and down the east coast. From there, I’ll be in Europe for three months and then come Fall, I hope to tour some more. Within all of that, of course I’ll keep writing and thinking towards the next release.
NC: A little off topic here, but…. If you weren’t pursuing music… what would you want to do?
LA: Okay, well two things: I would love to be a Kindergarden art or music teacher – kids are so profound, it would be so rewarding to be a part of that. Also, though – I think I would like to invent something everyone needs – like electric sweaters. Think electric blankets, but portable. Just tell me that’s not something that EVERYONE wants!
NC: Thanks a lot, and we’ll see you on Friday for the show!
Liza Anne, Sam Pinkerton, & Aliza Carter Band perform for the official album release party for The Colder Months at The High Watt on Friday, February 21st. The show is 18+, begins at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.), and tickets are available for $7.
