Meet Liz Vice | Singer songwriter & world traveler

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

Hi Liz, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
When I was a teenager, I experienced health issues that really changed the way that I see “life”. I received a kidney transplant at the age of 22. This is what I call my “bonus life”. And with this extra time I have on this earth, I have wasted a lot of it with fear and anxiety.

When I decide to do something; ie: travel, take a foreign language course, write a new record, I have to sit with myself and make sure that fear is not overpowering my ability to think of more positive outcomes. “Passion over fear” is a phrase that has been engrained in me since my teens years.

After receiving my kidney transplant, I decided to go to film school. I wanted to make the movies with black and brown people that wasnt some sort of trauma porn. But, as life does, another path appeared and that is when my music career began. I decided to go down the music path because the path seemed so illuminated. Scared shitless, but, I knew I needed to give myself a chance even if I had no idea what that career change would turn into.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Well, I won’t pretend that there are not an abundant amount of artists in the world who don’t have some sort of “hero’s journey” or story of how they had to overcome adversity of some sort. My story is one of many, So, thank you ShoutOutLA for taking the time to hear me out.

When I was a teenager, I came face to face with death. Death and I danced for a long time, until about my mid 20s. I mean, I still feel like death is always at my heels but, that’s also just living. My health was in shambles and yet, somehow, and with many prayers of others, I am here today. I call this time the “bonus life”.

I went to school to film school and really wanted to be a film director. I loved movies so much as a kid, I wanted to make them. I wanted to be in them. I wanted to have the big screen reflect what I saw in the mirror, my life, and imagination. I wanted to work with actors; to pull the best out of them and push them to be the best storytellers. After I graduated from film school, I was able to work on films and tv shows. It was during a break in between shows that the opportunity came to sing on a record that my church was producing.

I sang one song alone and after the record was released, the pastor and producer of the record announced to the church that he was going to write a record for me. Now, I was a people pleaser and also, didn’t take him seriously, but two years later, I had a solo record and that opened the flood gates.

I did the whole thing with having a manager and booking agent. I had interviews with people who wanted to sign me to their labels. Any time someone mentioned how I could get more reach by changing my appearance or “smiling” more, I would dig my heels into the ground. One thing about me, people pleasing and all, I do not like to be boxed and caged. As time went on and, I found myself without a “team”. I had taken my music career into my own hands. As much as I wanted to quit, a part of me also wanted to see what would happened if I continued to follow the path of music that was so naturally unfolding. It was like, music was pulling me along and I was a spectator seeing how this would all crash and burn. God, I am so stubborn sometimes.

Over time, actually the last 10 years, I have released various songs and records. I’ve worked with people who have pushed me beyond my limits and insecurities. I’ve worked with producers who saw more in me than I saw in myself. I’ve learned how to ask for help and say no. I’ve said yes to things that scare the shit out of me.

Music and life aren’t so separate. I am someone that has to live life to have stories to sing about. 

What I want the world to know about me is that, I am here for just a short time on this earth. I was born with a gift of music. I’m still learning how to use this gift. Words and songs are still be birthed from me. I want to be know as a curious person. Someone who did things even with fear tagging along. I want the world to know me as kind and generous and hilarious (some of you must have known I would write this) and loving. Not perfect by any means but, I want to be known by how I love. Music is a byproduct by how I live this bonus life. I hope that others will be inspired to do the same.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Confession. My family is from here but I grew up in Portland, Oregon. I’ve come to LA every year of my life since we moved. So, I only knew Mid-City and the South Central area. It wasn’t until covid that I found myself back here, so, I am still getting to know LA myself. So, I dunno if anyone will find this helpful lol Another confession, I put my things in storage two years ago and decided to travel the world, so I am going to write this as though was back in my favorite neighborhood.

Friday: Highland Park.
Morning: We are going to take a hike up Debs. Walk back down and up to a little juice spot next to Luca’s on 58th and Fig. The juice is fresh and delicious and affordable. Walking back down to my imaginary apartments off of 57th and Fig, we will pass a fruit stand and get fresh cut fruit. We will go back to my favorite apartments and go for a swim.

For dinner: Highland Park bowl has bomb food; Smash burger, fries, calamari, and a mezcal negroni at Highland Park bowl.

Late night: Drinks at Good Housekeeping and then we are going dancing at Blind Barber. The music is dope and I’m always going to want to dance.

Saturday: Walk up and down Debs. Breakfast at Kitchen Mouse. Vegan food and a really good dandelion latte (clean up that liver from the night before.

For dinner we will get sushi from Ichijku Sushi. Honestly, some of the best sushi I’ve ever had. Maybe go to The Friend for some late night dancing.

Sunday:
Morning, Coffee and breakfast. We walk up to Civil and sit in the back. Nice and shady. They have really good coffee and gluten free donuts.

Lunch: Probably going to walk to Grocery Outlet and make lunch at home.

Dinner: Hopefully Villas Tacos is open.

Monday: Morning: Walk up and down Debs. Maybe get a massage at Now Massage in Silver Lake. Get a way too expensive juice and zucchini bread from Kreation.

For dinner we are going to Gracias Madres. Vegan food that is so delicious and doesn’t make you feel heavy afterwards. 

Ok, I am running out of steam and for the most part am a home body. I will need a day to just be at home. Maybe my visitor leaves Tuesday. Lol

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say Tim Lefevbre. He is a producer that has allowed me to really flex my music producing skills. He’s good people. His resume is inane and yet, he wanted to partner with me to bring my 3rd record to life.

Website: https://lizvice.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizvice/

Twitter: https://x.com/LizViceOFFICIAL

Facebook: https://facebook.com/lizvicemusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lizviceofficial

Image Credits
B&W photo in booth by Jake Dahm
Photo with yellow top Molly Jensen Photography
B&W photo with plaid on Jeremy Varner
Eiffel Tower photo by Jacquelynn Scott