What do you like most about playing music?
I like how I can fully be myself without even knowing it. Quick story, I just came from filming a music video in Miami for my new single “That One” (released on February 17th), and I was super nervous, honestly. I thought I’d get to ACTION, and it is not giving, but then I saw my friends' recordings of me, and it was GIVING! I literally asked her, “Who is thaaaat?” Anyways, music just allows me to be ME 100% without caring about how others perceive me or judge me.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
I’d say my music can sometimes be two-sided, there’s one side where I’m talking about how I don’t give an f-word, then there’s the side it ties into where it’s wholly empowering and self-assuring. There’s always a message that I’d say ties back to make you remember to put yourself first in the given situation. For example, in “That One”, I’m speaking about how a boy could possibly by a slim hair be That One for me but then in the second verse I reassure to him It’s ME & You as a team or you can hit the door.
Why do you think it’s important to be out and proud in the music industry?
It’s already a hassle to push to get into the music industry being gay, so I feel like it’s incredibly important to stand in your own skin and own who you are to make room for others trying to follow in your footsteps. After performing at Sunfest in Florida, which for the record, was my first-ever booked show, I was met in the back by literal kids telling me how much of an inspiration I was. I remember meeting a little boy who was young with painted nails telling me how much he loved me and my singing, things like that are a reason to be and show how proud of who you are out in the open to inspire the next generation, so things continue to get better.
As an LGBTQIA+ artist, what do you want to convey with your music?
I want people to take a message to live unapologetically carefree regarding their happiness. I always seem to have a strong message of independence when it comes to going for what I want and the love I’ll receive, and I think in the LGBTQIA+ community, that’s something we need to hear more of. Some of us need to reminder that being gay doesn’t make me incapable of being legendary.
Liz Achanta
