Meet LIANNA | Singer-Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with LIANNA and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LIANNA, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
That you need to have a “backup plan” when you choose an Artistic career path. The truth is, you have to be ALL IN if you want to succeed, and have faith that the Universe has your back. The only difference between someone who has achieved their wildest dreams and the average person, is the desire to try and try and try again. Every successful person has failed more times than they can count, I guarantee you that. But failure is a great teacher in this life, and every failure brings you closer to achieving your dreams. And failure builds character(It is important I remember that too! Haha)

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Hi I wanted to introduce myself, my name is LIANNA. I am an LA born & raised Singer-Songwriter, and I am currently working on my first EP to be released in the new year. I am calling it “God’s Favorite Girl” and the style is California Dream Pop Noir. So far I have released 5 singles, my latest one is called “Lowlives” which I wrote about my rebellious teenage years learning to drive in a Ford 150 truck, growing up in a trailer park, my adventures in Venice Beach, and my obsession with the Beatles. When I write I really feel like I am channeling from somewhere perhaps in the ethers. It i’s my religion in a way. My style as an artist definitely dances with the light and the dark, the witchy and the ethereal. I am very influenced by my home state of California, my drama, revenge, love, heartbreak, the culture, poetry, darker undercurrents, noir, some of my favorite movies (Almost Famous, American Beauty, The Craft) the desert landscape of Joshua tree, my teen years, powerful women, and my mom, Rock n Roll & Folk Music from the 70s like The Doors, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, but also Enya.

I chose this path officially at 16 years old (but I actually played classical Violin from 5-15) and I have always followed my heart, my vision, and held tight to my authenticity. My mom beyond encouraged me in my artistic pursuits. I had all of the toy instruments, and a keyboard since I was a baby, and she introduced me to Classic Rock from birth. Apparently she played me Classical Orchestral Music in the womb. I also went to a very alternative school called Waldorf, so I wasn’t allowed to freely consume “media” like TV and use the internet. So naturally I had a lot of free time to be bored and creative.
My most most powerful qualities that have helped me on this path as an Artist have been my Perseverance & Passion. I am a very sensitive and shy person, but I also never quit and I never give up on myself and my Music. When you have a Big Dream and you put yourself out there it may not always be easy (or else everyone would do it). I believe in the saying “no risk, no reward”. I left High School after 10th grade (I still completed my schooling)I didn’t want to waste any more time and got straight to playing gigs all around Los Angeles. I opened for one of my favorite artists Matt Corby, and shared the stage with veteran musician/producers like Jonathan Wilson and Butch Walker, all before I ever released any official music. So I guess even though this sounds cliche, the Music chose me!

I put my all into my Art and I am as DIY and indie as you can get. I create all of my own visuals, album art, music videos, styling, and I have done this since I began this journey. I just filmed my last music video in Joshua Tree for my single “The Villain” which is a Dark Alt-Pop Witchy Noir Villain Origin Story. I truly have so much fun creating the visual world for my songs, just as much fun and catharsis as I experience when I am writing or performing! If I wasn’t a musician I would make films. I’ve been able to continue to follow my dreams by trusting my inner knowing. I started out in the music business as a very young and innocent girl. But I am also very tapped into my intuition, and against all odds I have always trusted my gut and followed it when it has a message for me about someone or something. Hollywood is as sparkly and magical as it is dark and dirty.

It feels like it has taken me forever to get here, but I know I have at last found my sound and identity as an artist. My California Dream Pop Noir styled Debut EP “God’s Favorite Girl” will be released in 2024 I can’t wait to share what I have been writing for the last year and a half with you all.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Topanga Canyon so I would start our day actually in the Valley for breakfast at the iconic Bobby’s Diner, then we will go Vintage Shopping in Topanga at my favorite spot Hidden Treasures, go for a hike at The Labyrinth by Tuna Cyn, and make our way into Malibu for the afternoon and evening. In Malibu we would stop at my old work 99 High Tide and pickup a few pre-rolls & edibles for our adventure. Then we will take a walk on Broad Beach, and go to the Cross Creek shopping center, hit a few stores & peruse the esoteric literature at The Malibu Shaman. For dinner we will eat the tastiest greek food at Taverna Tony’s & end the night with a Folk Rock show at Dreamland.

Next we would do a Venice day & start at Gjusta for coffee and baked goods, Then we would bike along the boardwalk. On Main St we will stop at Sunny Blue for some Omusubi, and thrift at Buffalo Exchange. In the evening we will go see a show & have a drink at Venice West, then dinner on Lincoln at my favorite vegan thai spot Satdha.

And of course we need an iconic East Side/Hollywood day to top off this long weekend! For breakfast we will get a coffee at La Colombe in Silverlake and walk around the reservoir. Then we will shop for food to bring to the Hollywood bowl at LASSENS and end the evening watching a show at the bowl.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shout out my amazing mom Lisa Ross. She moved to LA at 19 years old to pursue her acting career, and she was in some iconic movies like Overboard (with Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russel) and The Flamingo Kid (with Matt Dillon). She’s an Aquarius so she’s an Original. Her whole closet is black, even her socks and bras! She has always been my #1 supporter of my music, and has cheered me on & been my Momager since i was a little girl. Her gift to the world is really in how she helps others, and now she uses her gift to help people buy their dream homes as Real Estate Agent. It’s very inspiring to me to see her go after new dreams at every stage in life. She reminds me to go for it, and like she always says “you don’t ask, you don’t get”.

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