ICYMI, we've recently welcomed two new lovely radio producers to the team - meet Beth and Hannah! Both making serious waves across the North West music scene in their own right, we wanted to find out more about them, their music career so far and more...
First up we sat down with Beth, who intertwines smooth melodies and and lo-fi production under the name Lazygirl. Racking over an impressive one million Spotify streams, Lazygirl's down-to-earth lyricism has also secured her a spot as one of LIMF Academy's 'Most Ready' Artists for this year. With a single planned for later this year with MDR host Tonia, we can't wait for what the future holds for Lazygirl, both musically and here at Melodic...
Hey Beth, welcome to the team! We’re super excited to have you onboard. How did you first get into music?
Thank you so much, I’m so excited! I was very fortunate to grow up in a very musical and arty household. My dad and my older sisters would always be singing and playing instruments and I wanted to be just like them! I also grew up going to music festivals like Glasto, which was incredible. I’ve been writing and singing for as long as I can remember, with my dad accompanying me on guitar before I learnt how to play. It wasn’t until I was 17 when I was in sixth form that I started Lazygirl, then I moved to Liverpool for uni and got engrossed in the North West music scene.
Congrats on being part of this year’s LIMF Academy cohort, too! How is the programme helping you so far? Why do you think it’s important for Liverpool to have initiatives such as LIMF Academy?
It’s so, so important. I truly can’t express how much LIMF has done for me. Not only with the resources they give you and incredible masterclasses you get, but with showing you that there are other people your age from all over the city who are in the same boat. It feels like a little community! It’s so vital to nurture these emerging artists and I think it’s something that should just keep growing and expanding.
Having just performed at Bitch Palace, what’s been your favourite gig so far? Dream venue to play at/artist to support?
The BITCH Fest gig was so much fun! It felt really full circle for me, as my first ever gig in Liverpool was at the same venue (EBGBs).
My favourite gig so far has to be the show I did last year at Bloom Building for Where Are The Girlbands? & Bitch Palace Halloween Party. It was the first time I didn’t feel nervous on stage because the whole band was in costume. Turning to my left and seeing my bassist Jen playing in full Buzz Lightyear cosplay was just the best thing ever!
You’re also an advocate for diversity within the music scene. Where do you hope to see the industry in five years’ time?
In five years I would love to see all different genders, sexualities, ethnicities and abilities across the festival line-ups. That is changing slowly but surely, but it’s so important that we aren’t making these decisions just for tokenism’s sake. That’s why it’s vital to give artists from all different backgrounds the right start in the industry, and really nurture them from grassroots venues and promoters all the way up. Funding opportunities and local initiatives tailored for marginalised groups are already doing this and I hope that means in five years we can see a real, tangible change across the industries.
I’m really hoping that we see more diversity not only on the stage, but behind the scenes as well. It seems like gender equity amongst engineers, sound techs and producers are some years behind in that regard. Again, I’d love to see some more initiatives to lessen that gap. Being a female, queer producer myself I can’t emphasise how lovely and comfy it feels when those spaces are filled by people like you!
Apart from radio and music production, what else keeps you busy? Do you have any advice for keeping a clear head whilst working on numerous projects?
The best advice I could give is to have something completely separate from music or work, like a pure hobby, just to occupy your time. After uni, I went through a real shift when I realised that the thing I always did for leisure and fun was now basically my job! It felt like when I had free time, I should always be doing music, and that really didn’t help creatively. Last summer, I took up crochet and I absolutely love it. I’m currently doing a year-long project where I’m making a blanket with a row for every day of the year, correlating to the temperature of that day in Liverpool. It’s already about as tall as me and I’ve still got three months to go…
What album or track do you currently have on rotation?
I’ve currently been rinsing Djo’s new album, ‘DECIDE’. The production is sick. And I’m a massive Stranger Things fan, so it’s made all the more amazing by the fact it’s bloody Steve Harrington.
What’s your favourite snack?
I’ve got a huge sweet tooth so any biscuits/cookies are right up my street!
What else do you have planned for the next year?
I’m releasing a new single with fellow Melodic Distraction host, Tonia, due to be out in late October - so keep your eyes (and ears) peeled!
|| LAZYGIRL ||