Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I don’t like talking about myself, at least publically. I make music and that gives people a huge insight into my life and my emotions. Sometimes I’m lucky enough to make and play that music with my friends. I fell in love with the band lifestyle watching behind the scenes videos like MCR’s Life On A Murder Scene. I started playing music because I wanted to be in a rock band, play guitar and make music with my friends. Funny how I’ve gotten there but now my musical style and aesthetic is completely different.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Lydia Rowlands”?
A: I don’t know if I’m really looking or ready for people to find my music. I’ve never promoted my music as much as I do now and it’s oddly difficult because my music and the artwork and elements around it are taken unfiltered from my life and personal experience. If anyone does come across my music all I can say is that it was meant for me, to get things out and create and make joy from mostly awful experiences – I chose to share it because although my circumstances and feelings that come out in my music are specific to me, they’re not solely mine – I’m not alone. But if you can relate to my songs I’m truly sorry.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: Firstly an honorary mention to Mother, who’s been taking over the world this year,
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “The Names That They Gave Us.”?
A: The song was written when I was 16 and it’s no great lyrical masterpiece, I was in a typical teenage love triangle situation and it stemmed from that. I chose to revisit the song in 2023 as an act of self-love and appreciation. I never believed in myself or my music when it first came out and I was in the early stages of an abusive relationship with another musician that had already led to my career (or lack thereof) being minimised to please them.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Personal
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “The Names That They Gave Us”?
A: Writing definitely. Back when I was writing the 2019/2020 version I had to show my lyrics and demos to my abuser for their approval before releasing it. It’s why I found the re-recording process so fun. It was completely unsupervised. This reimagined version was Written, Recorded and Produced by Myself, Alfredo Reed and Joseph Sage ; mixed by Joseph Sage and Mastered by Stephen Kerrison. However the single artwork is especially special. It was designed by the wonderful Bee Scanlan with some many personal details and easter eggs thrown in to celebrate how much I’ve grown over the last few years. I knew what style I wanted and asked Bee because they seem to magically create exactly what I’ve got in my head.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: Lord, my music doesn’t have a message, things happen and I write about it. I don’t go and consciously write songs about specific issues the words come and the music normally follows, I only tend to realise what songs are about once they’re finished. In terms of goals for my music I would like more people to hear it but if there’s anyway people could discover my music without discovering me as a person, that would be great.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Stephen Sondhiem, Aaron Dessner, Finneas
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: You deserve to feel safe and respected, and you do not have to work with anyone you don’t want to. Another opportunity will come along, you can make something happen but the best work is made and performed in safe spaces, you’re not an issue for speaking up about something or someone that isn’t right.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: You’re not a monster you’re just learning.
