Singer/songwriter Lizzy Small has been collaborating with different DJ’s, producers, and artists throughout her career, but now, she is excited to share an intimate piece of her own story with a sultry single titled “Dear World.”
Drawing inspiration from the likes of Hailey Knox and Jorja Smith, “Dear World” showcases Small’s smooth vocals atop a calming production as she sings what almost feels like a journal entry to herself.
We had the chance to chat with Small and discuss her journey in the entertainment industry, “Dear World,” and what’s next for the budding artist. Check out our interview below and let us know what you think of the song by leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post.
You can connect with Lizzy by giving her a follow on Instagram at @lizzyyysmall.
Celeb Secrets: Hi Lizzy! Thanks for taking the time to speak with us today. Can you start by introducing yourself and telling our readers a little bit about yourself?
Lizzy Small: “Hello, it’s nice to meet you. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I’m the youngest of 4 sisters, and grew up acting and performing in the entertainment industry. I’m a singer-songwriter and mental health therapist, and the last few years have been a re-discovery of who I truly am as an adult and independent human being. Every experience teaches me something new about myself and the world around me. I feel driven by my desire to help people through authentic connection and creative expression. I feel happiest at the beach and around the people I love.”
CS: What are some of your earliest memories of music and when did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in it?
LS: “My earliest memories of music are something I hold close to my heart. As a child, I remember hearing my dad come home from work in the evening. He would hop on the piano or guitar and I’d start singing with him. He’s a big musical inspiration for me. I also spent the majority of my adolescence dancing competitively which built my connection to music. I learned to understand music through the way it felt in my body while dancing. I always loved music, but during college, I started to push myself towards taking the leap with music professionally.”
CS: Congratulations on the release of “Dear World!” What inspired the song and what does it mean to you to finally have the song out in the world? What do you hope listeners take away from it?
LS: “‘Dear World’ is a piece of my story, a sheer product of self-reflection. It’s about me releasing the need for external validation and letting systems, people’s thoughts and opinions control my inner world. It’s a letter to myself about getting out of my own way and allowing me to be exactly who I am. As a mental health therapist, I help people get out of their own way and find the beauty that innately exists within them. This song is me giving myself the permission I grant to others. I hope listeners take away the same message I wrote to myself. Allow yourself to be all that you are and be kind to your mind while getting there. It feels freeing to finally let this song go and I feel a strange sense of peace.”
CS: We see that in addition to your artist project you collaborate with DJ’s and write for other artists. How does your creative process differ from working with other artists, to working on your artist project?
LS: Collaborating with people in a studio is my favorite thing in the world and I love writing music for other artists / projects. Writing for things outside of myself helps me take off some of the pressure and removes me from it. Writing music isn’t about me, it’s about self-expression and the process of creation. Writing for other artists has allowed me to experiment, be of service to others in the room, and lose some of the self-criticism that used to feel more present in my mind.
CS: We love hearing a different side of your artistry in “Dear World.” Will the rest of your solo music sound more like this? How do you find balance in creating songs like this versus something like “Endlessly” which you released with Lincoln Jesser?
LS: “I’m giving myself more freedom as I continue to explore my sound alongside creating for other artists and projects. I feel like I can free myself from trying to fit in a ‘box’ with my own music. It will have elements from what I’ve learned and been able to experiment with while writing for other artists. I think of every song I write as a moment in time, a part of an experience, or mood. Creating “dear world” versus “endlessly” helps me access two different parts of myself which keeps me balanced. Each of the different songs I create gives me the opportunity to explore different parts of my life, personality, and point of view.”
CS: Do you have any more releases coming out that you can tell us about?
LS: “I am excited about some releases I’ve worked on for other artists that are scheduled to come out this year. I will also be releasing more of my own music and potentially have some collaborations to look out for! :)”
CS: Lastly, since we are Celeb Secrets, can you share a secret fun fact about either the writing or recording process of “Dear World?”
LS: “I initially wrote this song in one sitting while in my bedroom at my parent’s house during the COVID lockdown.”
LISTEN TO “DEAR WORLD” HERE:
