Meet Lilah Kopenhefer | Singer/Guitarist of Perfect Daughter

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

Hi Lilah, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After playing in a number of past projects, I reached a point where I wanted to build something more long-lasting and real. In my previous band, I started to feel stuck. I enjoyed the music we were making, but as we gained traction, the focus shifted away from the music and more toward our image. When we couldn’t agree on what we stood for anymore, I knew it was time to start something that felt truly authentic. I wanted a project where the music comes first and where who we are isn’t something we have to mold to fit expectations. I believe that when you stay honest about your sound, you’ll naturally attract the right people.

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.
I think risk is essential if you want to move forward in life. Without it, we’d stay stuck in the same place, never knowing what might’ve happened if we’d just taken that leap. In my own experience, I’ve had to take plenty of risks—especially when performing new songs or presenting them to the band. It’s always a bit nerve-wracking. There’s a chance it could totally flop and no one connects with it (which probably won’t happen), but there’s also the chance it becomes the foundation of a song people love and want to hear live. You never get to those moments without being willing to take the risk first.

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?
One of the most inspiring things for me as a musician is watching live sessions on YouTube. I’ve found so many incredible bands through channels like KEXP, Audiotree, Tiny Desk, etc.—some of which have become my all-time favorites. Seeing live shows has also deeply influenced the way I write music. I hope more bands recognize the powerful impact of playing in front of a crowd and the inspiration their music can offer to those just starting out.