Evolving Echoes: LYRA’s Journey Through Music and Emotion.
From the spirited streets of Cork to the dazzling lights of Los Angeles and London, LYRA has woven a tapestry of sounds and stories into her debut, self-titled album. A mosaic of musical styles and personal tales, the album ‘LYRA’ spans an impressive range from the hauntingly sultry “Chess” to the celestial heights of “Falling” and the rhythmic pulse of “Lovers”. Each track not only showcases LYRA’s dynamism and prowess but also captures a slice of her life, with her robust vocals steering the narrative.
In a revealing conversation, LYRA opens up about the eclectic nature of her musical influences and the deeply personal experiences that shaped her latest work. LYRA’s debut album, which features songs about everything from heartbreak to carefree nights, is a celebration of the highs and lows of life. It also features a voice that alternates between vulnerability and strength. Here, LYRA shares the backdrop of her artistic evolution, the creative minds that have influenced her path, and how embracing her multifaceted musical identity has led to the birth of an album that is distinctly her own.
Follow LYRA @thisislyra
Describe your sound in three words.
Emotive, powerful, and sass.
Who influenced you, and why did you choose to make music?
I love Sia. I love her songwriting. It’s so powerful and it’s a style that definitely inspires me.
Lorde is another amazing artist that inspires me with her unique production style.
Obviously, being Irish, Sinead O’Connor’s raw, beautiful vocals have always influenced me and gave me the confidence to sing with my Irish tone. Yes my diction is shocking but I’m ok with that.
I chose to make music because, honestly, growing up, it was the only thing I loved and was good at. I’m a very emotional person so songwriting always helped me overcome situations in my life like bullying, breakups, body disorders, etc.
Do you play any instruments?
I do play a tiny bit of guitar. I use smart keys when writing my songs, haha. I started playing drums when I was younger and because I’m Irish a bit of the tin whistle.
Do you ever get nervous? All the time!! I suppose I get most nervous about if people will like me, or if they are having a good time etc. not so much about me falling out on stage in my thigh high boots. I worry about giving the audience the best performance I can give so they enjoy the show.
Tell us about your new self-titled album, “LYRA?” What’s the story behind the songs?
My album LYRA is extremely autobiographical. I find it hard not to write this way, as I feel being as true to myself and my life experiences it really makes the song come alive. Also, it’s nice for the listener to get to know me a bit more and what better way than through my music.
So I had a massive breakup that emotionally and physically damaged me for a while. I was asking him who I had to be in order for him to love me and his answer was he needed someone to have an intellectual conversation with. So it shattered my confidence for a bit. I felt like I had been thrown to the sharks which you can hear in a few of the album tracks.
It was a long journey to finding out who I was as an individual in life again, not in a relationship, not knowing if I was good enough. After a while of wallowing, I decided f!ck that I need to start enjoying my life. So I did and by god did I have a wild time doing it (Drink Me Up is the song in reference to this).
I finally felt strong enough and confident enough to be my own Queen and start living my life for me rather than anyone else.
Can you walk us through your creative process for this single? How did the idea come to life?
Were there any specific experiences or emotions that fueled the writing and composition of this song?
Queen started on my sofa in my PJs after finally deciding to live life for me. To go out and enjoy myself more and not care about anyone’s judgments. I then brought the idea to my good friend Phil Cook who gets me so much. We talked about how the track should sound in order to reflect the emotions behind the song and then she was born.
How do you usually start working on a new song? Do you begin with lyrics, melodies, or a concept? How involved were you in the production and arrangement of “LYRA?”
I begin most ideas at home on my sofa. For me it starts with the emotion. It’s whatever feeling I want to explore in that moment dictates the song. Whatever I have most recently been through always becomes the main theme of the song also. For example after the breakup I just wanted to write sad songs because that’s all I was feeling, this then developed through the stages of a breakup and as I started getting over it my songs started to become more empowering and then as I started finding love again the songs became more like love songs, dance songs. I was in a happy space so it reflected on my songwriting.
I’m very heavily involved in all the processes of my music, from songwriting, production style, mixing and sometimes mastering. I give it my all as it’s a very personal journey for me.
As a popular artist you are followed by so many people. How do you feel about that pressure of doing always the right thing, and encourage people to follow their dreams?
I feel like the best role model I can be is being true to myself. I’m human just like everyone else and we all make mistakes, make the wrong decisions sometimes but it’s ok it’s just working on how we learn from them and grow. If I tried to do the right thing all the time I don’t think I would help my followers learn and grow. I have had a bumpy road and showing that shows how you can pull through anything and I think that’s much more important that showing this perfect life we all think is real online.
What mindset helped make you so successful and popular?
Never give up, always be yourself. Not everyone will like you and that’s ok.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
The rules hahaha it’s the only book I have read so so so many times and u can apply it not only to relationships but other parts of your life. It helped me anyway so I would recommend it.
What advice would you give to your younger self, and why?
Don’t try to please everyone, what others see as your flaws is your unique beauty.
I feel like we are all forced into looking, sounding or acting the same and it’s just boring. We are constantly compared to someone else when in reality there is only one of us. We lose sight of individuality and start conforming which is sad as we are all enough just being us.
How would your best friend describe you? mad as a brush. But extremely loving and loyal.
If you were a book, what would be the title of the book and why? Weird club. Because I’m a little weird and I love celebrating people’s uniqueness. We are all a little weird inside but sometimes we are afraid to show it.
What’s next for LYRA in 2024?
I’m already sitting on my sofa, writing ideas for album 2 and lots and lots of shows coming your way too.
Which place that you have visited do you think changed you in a particular way, maybe for motivation or to see a different reality, etc.?
A funeral home. It reminded me that life is short; we only get one shot at it. We have to embrace every second because you don’t know when it’s going to be your last.
Laugh longer, love harder xx
Tell us your top 3 cities to travel to.
Nashville
Paris
New York
And which countries or cities are still on your bucket list?
Singapore
Switzerland
Cape Town
Which fictional character would be the most exciting to meet in real life?
Shrek I mean, who doesn’t love him?
What is your favorite healthy food?
Greek salad.
And your favorite cheat food?
Big Mac large meal
How would you explain your fashion style?
Dramatic
What is your own definition of happiness?
Love
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
My nan cause I miss her so much.
What would be your dream holiday, and who would you go with?
New York with my sister! Pretending we are on the set of sex in the city.
Best advice ever given?
Never apologize for being you.
Do you support any charities?
Childline, Laura Lynn, Jack and Jill.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years?
Living in a remote part of Ireland with my own studio at the end of the garden, working on album 3.
What is your favorite song to belt out in the car or for karaoke?
Rolling in the deep Adele.
What do you think of social media?
Great for keeping in touch with people and fans but also mind warping.
Where can we follow you?
Book: the rules
Quote: Rome wasn’t built in a day
Movie: night crawler
TV Series: CSI
Favorite Food: Asian
Travel Destination: Singapore
Sports Team: LYRA LAKERS HAHHA