We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lillie Lorraine. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lillie below.
Hi Lillie, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?
As the saying goes, “If I could go back in time with what I know now….” Yes, I do wish I would have started my music career sooner in life. It is something that crosses my mind, however, I am not one to ponder on this thought for too long as I believe it can hinder the mind more than help. I have always been very creative and my love for music started at a very early age. I was surrounded by various family members– among those being my father and brother– who all shared the same passion for music as I did. It took me many years to gain the courage and the confidence to share my talents with anyone but myself. In my late teens and early 20s, I began to put myself out there and started making connections with local producers. I was a waitress for close to 15 years and the various restaurants I worked at became my stage. When I was asked what else I did other than waitress, I would tell my customers I did music and I would ask them if they would like to hear me sing. The response was always yes and I would sing on the spot. I know for a fact those moments were when my confidence really started to develop. During that period in my life, I made contacts and worked with various people who were passionate about music and even recording a couple originals of my own. At that time, all I knew was recording. Getting involved in the live music scene as I am today wasn’t even a thought. Being young and naive, I had the passion to pursue my music as a career but I lacked the drive I needed to really immerse myself into my music in order to become successful. That fire for music kept burning in the years to come and after many life lessons and mistakes made, I started to figure it out. I began to figure me out. The reality of knowing time does not slow down and the realization I had to just make something happen regardless of the outcome is when things finally started to come together. Had I begun my music career sooner would things be different? Possibly. Maybe I would have made more contacts; maybe I would have more original music out. There are tons of possibilities but at the end of the day, I am happy my life has gone the way it did. All I can do now is make sure 10+ years down the road I have nothing I regret when it comes to the biggest passion in my life– music. Sometimes I think even if I had given myself the opportunities I have now, I would not have been ready for them. My life could have gone much differently and not necessarily in the best of ways. Regardless, the only moment we all actually have is the one we are currently in, nothing else. I plan to live in that present moment and continue to have that desire to grow as an artist, mother, and overall human being.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I am a singer/songwriter who collaborates with others in the industry to create original music. I am also one of the founders of Violet Envy, a duo involved in the local live music scene here in DFW. I met my business partner, Matt Wade, about five years ago and we began our duo Violet Envy last summer 2021. Matt and I busted our butts for several months in order to establish ourselves into what we are today. The two of us have personally built our music careers playing at various venues around the DFW metroplex. Since joining forces, we, Violet Envy, have been showcasing our talents at well-known establishments such as; Harley Davidson, Hugo’s Lost Colony, Urban Rio, The Tipsy Oak, and a residency at The Free Man in Deep Ellum. Violet Envy provides a multi-genre list of the “top 100s” of every era to ensure entertainment for the entire crowd. We provide any event with a full and unique sound incorporating acoustic guitar, harmonies, a sound pad, and loop stations. We do private events/weddings; give us electricity and we’ll give you a great show! I think what sets Violet Envy apart from others is the eclectic set of music we play; the harmonies we have as a duo; where one of us lacks, the other does not; the ability and desire to continue to grow and learn; and most importantly us as people in general. Violet Envy is built on an incredible love for music and a passion to share our knowledge and talents with those around us. Support is a huge part of our core values. Having the opportunity to do what we love every single day is such a blessing but the ability to help those we meet along the way is really what it is all about. Whether it is a local business or another artist, we both genuinely want to be there to help in any way possible. There is plenty of success for all of us and it is much more full-filling and more achievable when we all work together.
I am most proud of where I have come this past year as an artist vocally and also in my song writing. I am also extremely proud of the accomplishments Violet Envy has achieved since setting out on our journey. I look forward to what the future will look like and even more excited for all the beautiful souls I get to meet along the way.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I would have to say one of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is the example I am setting for my daughter, Violet. I have had this burning passion for music for as long as I can remember. Having the opportunity to have made it my career is not something I take lightly. I feel beyond blessed to live the life I do and do not take one second of it for granted. Although it can be tough sometimes, showing my daughter that anything is possible and to always pursue what you love no matter what is the one thing that keeps driving me to work harder every single day. The chance Violet has to see the hard work put in and then also seeing the reward for that hard work is something I will always be thankful for.
: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I would have to say the mission driving my creative journey is to prove to myself and all those around that anything is possible. I want to instill in anyone who will listen that as long as you follow your heart and genuinely love yourself and others, this life can be so beautiful. I hope to share my trials and tribulations and the knowledge I have acquired along the way and become an example for those struggling in any aspect of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: violetenvy.band
- Instagram: @lillieelorraine AND @violetenvyband
- Facebook: facebook.com/Lillielorrainemusic AND facebook.com/VioletEnvyBand
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCNkQ7CCZkBM21Q6IZw__IHQ
Image Credits
Lillie Lorraine- @lillieelorraine Ken Bishop- @ken_bishop_music