We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lie Lac a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

LieLac, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Yes! I feel like I’ve known for my entire life. I honestly can’t even really fathom life without music. I’ve been singing since I was little, and have always loved anything creative. I’ve also been through a lot, and I find music is one of the few things that helps me cope/heal. On top of all that, there’s just always a song for every occasion; happy, sad, angry, etc. Music is always there when nothing else is.

LieLac, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve been singing since I was a child. Music has always been more than a good song to me. It’s atmosphere altering, it’s unifying, it’s medicine. It’s the only thing I have ever had that has calmed my chaos, and provided a void to scream/cry/laugh/whatever I need to into without fear or judgement. It makes me feel powerful and vulnerable all at the same time. I truly believe I wouldn’t be alive today without it, and it is such a powerful tool if used responsibly and with a good intentions. I digress as I could go on an on about how hopelessly infatuated I am with music; it’s my soulmate. But what makes me different?

What makes me different is I’m not in it for the ‘clout’, (although I think we all appreciate acknowledgement on social media), I’m in it because I truly can’t function without it and I know how much I needed it when I had nothing else. I want my music to be that for anyone and everyone else it can. I write my music from depths of my self that don’t have to same courage to own my demons and traumas confidently enough yet outside of music, and vulnerability like that is important to share. I can’t count the times I was on the floor breathless, winded by life, unable to speak; but I could ALWAYS sing even when everything else was falling apart. Music is safe. I want to provide that safety to heal and grow for others. I have such an intense respect for it that I have taught myself all the ins and outs of creating it. Producing, editing, writing, marketing, you name, I’m learning because I’m not here for 15 minutes. I want to hold free concerts with no phones so all everyone has is the music. I want to find ways to include those who can’t enjoy music to it’s fullest extent possible due to physical limitations. People who haven’t been able to be included prior. And I am willing to work every day until my last to do do just that. I’m here to take my time and appreciate the journey for everything it is, and learn from everything it isn’t. I just humbly want to bring as many people on what I hope is a healing journey as I can.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

It honestly feels like you have to be resilient on a daily basis to survive this industry.

I have been assaulted and abused in every sense of the word, both in my personal life, and even more-so in this industry. I’ve had my music stolen and leaked, been doxxed, been stalked, been lied on, been screwed over by labels and other artists, etc. All of these awful things that really made it hard not to give up, and I’m still just starting out. No one has anyones back, no one cares about anyone, it’s always whatever it takes to get ahead. Not to mention the opinion of the public, which can sway at a moments notice. Music has helped me overcome all that trauma, but has also given me the courage to continue to try to make a name for myself in an industry that is incredibly abusive and calloused. It truly isn’t an industry for the weak, and it doesn’t have to be that way. But I love music so much that I have gone through multiple instances of the above abuse and am still ready and willing to show up with 1111% to give. I just can’t picture myself anywhere else.  It has also taught me how to be resilient in my everyday life as well which I value more than anything.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Stop making them conform to algorithms that promote inauthenticity that has to be posted so consistently they can’t even spend time on what they want. On a more everyday level, share them. I get so much love for my music in the dms that never makes it out. Artists are our own PR, our own marketing, our own everything, and we’re just one person. We need YOU to help us or we can’t thrive no matter how talented any one of us may be. And be honest. If your friend made a song, dance, design, painting, etc. that isn’t their best? Tell them. It’s never a fun conversation, but better to hear from someone who actually cares. And if you’re an artist BE OPEN TO CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM! It’s there to help as bad as it may feel sometimes.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/iamlielac/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamlielac/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4WPR5ScN8fftlISUsUnp5g/about
• Other: tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamlielac?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits
Justin Benjamin, Joe Remedy, Todd Youngblood, Luis Negron, Leon Johnson