British singer-songwriter Lizzie Pawsey is quickly becoming a musical household name.
The 18-year-old from Dorset entered the scene just a few years ago, and has already amassed over 200,000 streams across multiple platforms. She played more than 100 shows across the UK last year, was featured in publications such as EARMILK and CLOUT, and played nationally on BBC Introducing. Her 2022 debut, the 6-track Pop EP Silver Lining is an ode to youth and the challenges it brings. The mix of ballads and deep cuts showcased her raw talent and musical maturity, and introduced her infectious melodies and unique voice to the world.
It was met with acclaim from critics and engagement by listeners – and now, Lizzie has brought her talents across international waters to Toronto, to promote her latest single ‘Bad Influence’,. which follows the release of lead single ‘Fool of My Heart’, which has garnered nearly 100K cross-streams. Her new EP Reflections launched at Toronto’s La Piscina on March 30 at a high-profile film event, and another performance is scheduled at The Dakota Tavern on April 6.
In a recent interview, Lizzie spoke with SesayArts about her passion for music and how her musical inspirations have shaped her career.
Her musical journey began early, inspired by such artists as Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and . . . Hannah Montana (aka Miley Cyrus): “I loved how their music was so real and moved people, and it’s what I want my music to do,” she says, and indeed, her honest and relatable lyrics speak to young adults worldwide who may be going through similar struggles. For instance, Lizzie’s newest single, ‘Bad Influence,’ is a catchy track about admitting your flaws and not caring about others’ opinions: “‘Bad Influence’ is about people who say to avoid a person because they are a bad influence, and this person is fed up with explaining themselves, so they own it and run with it”.
Writing music comes naturally to her. She finds “inspiration is all around us”, so she writes whenever an idea strikes: “It can be as simple as a chord sound or, on occasion, standing at the train station. I find that when I get an idea, I just have to write until it’s done. It can be a pain when I get inspired late at night, so sometimes you can find me still writing at 2 am with a class the next day, but” she smiles, “you know when it happens, you just got to go with it!”
When discussing her tour, Lizzie notes that it showcases more of the upbeat, inspiring and even heartwarming tracks in her catalogue: “I write in a way that connects with everyone on a personal level. My goal is to touch people, and for them to decide what it means to them.” And she offers a trio of powerful women as touchstones for the experience she hopes to deliver: “My favorite artists are Taylor Swift because of how she writes her lyrics, Adele because of the emotions she puts into her music, and Selena Gomez because of her stage presence.”
Lizzie is excited about performing overseas because she loves meeting new people and exploring new places. “Toronto has been super welcoming and amazing,” she enthuses. But she’s also keen to return to London. Having been so busy writing, she plans not just to perform but to release an album once she is back in the UK. In the meantime, fans can connect with Lizzie and her music through her social media accounts and her linktr.ee site.
Given her honest lyrics and infectious melodies, fans will no doubt be eager to see – and hear – what the future holds for this rising star. “Music is so important,” Lizzie affirms. “It brings people together, and it’s so powerful. I feel like I’m living my dream, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me!”
Asked for her final thoughts, she again emphasises the importance of music: “It binds us all together; it allows us to communicate how we feel, help each other, and have fun. I just hope to use it to inspire others, so they can do this, too.”
© Arpita Ghosal, SesayArts Magazine, 2023
