Check out our interview with Bulgarian-born artist, performer, and songwriter Liya who is ready to take the world by storm with her new single “lovebreak.”
“lovebreak” is a true girl-power anthem, with Liya taking her love life into her own hands, finding her power and putting herself first. Transformative in all aspects, the single moves between rhythmic beats and a sparkling production, intermingling with Liya’s no-nonsense vocals. Finishing off with a hard-as-hell beat breakdown, “lovebreak” shows that Liya is not here to play.
Follow Liya @knownasliya
Hi Liya, please tell us a little about you?
Hey! I’m a Bulgarian-born Boston-based artist and songwriter. I love communicating and expressing myself and my emotions through music, be it singing or writing. I also love making cocktails and eating crazy amounts of sushi.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Creative, expressive, determined
We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get in the industry?
I’ve always known I want to be a musician. I started singing and playing piano when I was really young. Some time after that I started writing as well. I just feel an incredible passion for music and performance and can’t think of a better thing to do for the rest of my life.
How has this changed your life?
Music makes me experience the world in a different way than most people. Because of it I connect with people on a very intimate level. The feeling is unmatched.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Ahh, that’s hard. I like writing about serious topics in a lighthearted way, I also like feeling sexy and empowered in my writing, and I like experimenting with interesting and unique sounds and production styles, as well as doing a lot of contrasting both sonically and visually.
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
I have such a vivid memory as a child watching MTV and being fascinated with people like Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and Alicia Keys, so I guess they were some of my earlier influences. As I got older I fell in love with Whitney Huston, Jenifer Hudson, Lady Gaga, Jessie J, etc. Those women have incredible power and emotion in their voices. I chose to make music because it is something I am deeply in love with. It just felt natural, I can’t imagine my life without it.
Do you play any instrument?
I do. I started playing piano when I was 6 years old. Nowadays I play it mostly when writing music, practicing songs, as well as playing classical stuff for my own pleasure.
Do you ever get nervous?
Of course!! But I love it. Nervous means I care, it’s excitement!!
Tell us about your single “lovebreak?”
I wrote ‘lovebreak’ at the end of 2021. I thought the hook and play on words was fun and creative so I decided to release it. I also experimented with some production ideas I hadn’t before.
What’s the story behind the song?
I was in a session with my co-writer and we were brainstorming ideas. We were playing games and tossing out ideas until we came up with the hook for ‘lovebreak’. We thought there was something interesting there so we kept on writing and in 2 hours the song was finished. A few months after that I started recording and working on the production.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Seeing the entire project come together – from the writing, to the producing, to shooting the cover and other visuals. It’s really rewarding when you see a songbaby flourish into a completed project.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
“The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” maybe? Entrepreneurs, artists in particular, go through so much bull and it’s hard but very important to become resilient, and not take ‘no’ for an answer. We have to let any negativity pass by us, while we’re on our way to the next thing. It’s tough tho because we create from our soul and heart and just hand it to people to criticize and tear apart, haha. So I think learning to not give a f*ck about other people’s opinion is important.
What would you say are the greatest lessons you learned so far?
You know it’s cheesy to say that life is short, but it really is. You never know what’s gonna happen, so I just enjoy every day I get to make music, and count my blessings.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
“You’re doing good, girlie. Don’t doubt yourself!”
How would your best friend describe you?
I don’t want to put words in anybody’s mouth so I asked my best friend from back home and she said: “Always creative and very talented. An artist that puts their heart and soul in their craft. Determined. A Fashion diva. A friend anybody can dream of having. And because it can’t only be good, the bad thing is that she lives across the world.”
What’s next for Liya in the last months of 2022 and for 2023?
Working on a couple more songs!!
What is your favorite healthy food?
Anything with avocado. My favorite food in general is sushi, so I’ll go with a cucumber-avo roll.
And your favorite cheat food?
Sticking to sushi – lobster roll with extra unagi sauce.
How would you explain your fashion style?
Depends how I wake up feeling, haha. Overall, I love being comfy, love anything oversized, love some edge and color to my outfits, but I’m also the one that will be completely uncomfortable as long as the look is slaying.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Knowing that everyone I love is healthy and happy, while sitting on the couch with my partner and our dog, watching a movie, eating sushi and drinking something too sweet to be called a cocktail.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I’d spend some time with my grandparents, who have passed away, because I miss them so much. Also Freddie Mercury. Because it’s Freddie F*cking Mercury.
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
This past summer my partner and I had our dream holiday. We traveled to London, Paris, Rome, Madrid and Sofia and met our friends at every stop – it was the best.
Best advice ever given?
Make every stage feel like an arena and perform like it’s your last show.
Do you support any charity?
I’ve supported a few non-profit organizations over the years, such as RedCross, Big Sister Association and NAACP.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
Jumping around on a big stage, singing my butt off, and having the time of my life.
Favorite song? Why?
How do people answer this? There is so much great music out there, there’s no way I can pick one.
What do you think of Social Media?
I like creating content and communicating with people across the world, but I’m not one to be obsessed with it, which I’m very happy about. As a 90’s/early 2000’s kid, I grew up without it so I know how to live my life without posting everything on it. Though, to be honest, I like posting personal stuff because 1). I feel like I connect with people more and 2). I like to go back and re-live some beautiful moments that I caught on camera.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram / TikTok / Facebook / Youtube / Spotify
Book: Anything Stephen King
Quote:
“Your mind is not the holder of truth”
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal.”
“Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday”
Movie: Green Book
Tv Series: DARK
Favorite Food: sushi
Travel Destination: Paris
Sports Team: My dad would be mad if I don’t say Levski. My boyfriend will be mad if I don’t say Patriots. Go Pats.
Photo Credit: Emilia Boudinova @eima.photography
