🎤 Artist Spotlight: Liesl Michelle
An Interview with a Rising Voice in R&B/Soul | District of Curves Digital
In a music world filled with noise, Liesl Michelle brings clarity, emotion, and truth. With a voice that soothes and lyrics that cut deep, she’s becoming a standout force in modern soul. In this exclusive interview, Liesl opens up about her creative process, evolution as an artist, and the stories behind her most personal songs.
💬 Full Interview with Liesl Michelle
Q: Can you share your earliest memory of music and how it influenced your decision to pursue a career in R&B/Soul?
A:
My earliest memories of music are in church and school choirs. I absolutely loved how connected I felt to music and how it made me feel. My decision to pursue a career in R&B/Soul music did not come until later in my teen to early twenties. I would be lying if I said I had always been 100% about the decision because my mind has gone back and forth about it for a few years, but I feel like I keep getting called back into it… it’s got to be a sign.
Q: Who are some artists that have significantly influenced your musical style and why?
A:
Adele was the first artist to make me feel confident in the type of music I want to sing and the type of artist I could be. She showed me that I could still be a successful artist/singer without needing background dancers, full choreo, and a leotard. Others include: Yebba, Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Frank Ocean, Jazmine Sullivan, early Billie Eilish, and quite a few others.
Q: Your lyrics often delve into themes of vulnerability and personal growth. How do your personal experiences shape your songwriting?
A:
As of right now, up to this point, my personal experiences have solely shaped my lyrics and songwriting. Everything I’ve written has come from a personal experience or vulnerable place. I’m realizing that my discography is turning into a public journal, but that’s the price you pay as an artist. Music is my therapy and I will die on that hill. I just happen to make the pain and experiences sound pretty haha. This is a tough job, but the release and joy I feel when I can sing my feelings away and help others deal with theirs—that’s a different type of healing.
Q: How do you approach the process of translating complex emotions into your music?
A:
Whew. It’s a messy process; it’s raw most times. It can sometimes look like a verbal dump. So, I just press record and see what my body and heart feel when listening to a track. Sometimes words come instantly, other times they are added later. I try to limit all distractions so I can fully immerse myself in the process. That means: secluded area (car, closed room, etc.), no lights, no distractions. I write my best in those conditions. It’s all a work in progress because songwriting is an art in itself, but quite frankly, I don’t believe in rules when it comes to music. With that being said, the process can change and look different as I evolve.
Q: Your latest single, ‘Hold Me Tight,’ has resonated with many listeners. What was the inspiration behind this track?
A:
I was dealing with someone clear across the country in LA. I loved him, but this was an extremely complex situationship. My mind would get so clouded with all of the “what ifs” and the logistics of a long-distance relationship that I just wanted to savor the moment, which is when the lyrics “for this moment, hold me tight” came to mind. It really highlights the uncertainty of the outcome of a relationship. I sort of feel responsible for speaking the end of our love into existence because though I did not feel this way, I wrote the lyrics “we both know that it won’t work out” because it made sense for the cadence and the song. Not every part of a song is truth; sometimes choices are made stylistically.
Q: How does ‘Hold Me Tight’ reflect your evolution as an artist compared to your earlier works like ‘Gently’ and ‘Fine’?
A:
For starters, I’m older. That plays a huge role in the evolution. With age comes more experience, wisdom, and practice. My favorite part about “Hold Me Tight” is the beautiful instrumentation throughout the song. From harp to sax to piano—the producer helped me create a sound that felt much closer to the direction I want to go sonically.
Q: How do you define your artistic identity, and how has it evolved over the years?
A:
I’m honestly still figuring myself out. I love love. I love real, raw, vulnerable, and deep lyrics and even deeper melodies. I so deeply want to make music that translates through various ages, cultures, generations, and races—music that allows others to heal alongside me. Those pillars have not changed, but I believe the specific sound has evolved and will continue to evolve over the years as I evolve.
Q: In what ways do you aim to challenge or conform to the traditional norms of the R&B/Soul genre?
A:
I aim to challenge the current genre to FEEL again. Some artists are maintaining that, but most are just pumping out anything. However, music knows no boundaries, so while I make space for others and their interpretations of the genre, I look forward to challenging the norms by exploring intersections that are represented within my life and my interests to create a perfect storm.
Q: How do live performances influence your connection with your audience, and what do you hope they take away from your shows?
A:
Live performances are my first love. I learned to sing in front of hundreds of people at an early age. Those hundreds eventually turned into thousands, but regardless of the size of the crowd, the connection is important. I love being able to engage with my audience. I’m a jokester. I love to laugh, get to know people, and connect. I’m able to do that with my live performances. I only hope that audience members can walk away feeling touched and loved in some way. I want them to feel connected to music and others around them.
Q: Can you share a memorable moment from a live performance that had a significant impact on you?
A:
There have been quite a few, but I was singing at the Howard Theatre in 2023 opening up for Mannywellz, and a girl in the audience yelled “SING TO ME!!” over and over. I finally heard her and sang the first line to her. I LOVED that interaction. It felt like the acknowledgement was a step in the direction of building a solid base of listeners.
Q: What challenges have you faced in your musical journey, and how have they shaped you both personally and professionally?
A:
My musical journey as of late has been extremely challenging. The business is complicated, intricate, complex, and sometimes brutal. Professionally, I have grown with the formation of my LLC and the knowledge I’ve learned from my mentor and the lessons/curriculum his company 24/7 Artists has provided. Personally, given that I still work a full-time job, I’ve had to fight many internal battles with time management, decision fatigue, and burnout. The hardest part so far has been the process of forming my team. I have been searching for my perfect fit sonically in a producer locally, and it’s been a tough ride. I’m currently still going through the difficulties, but I’m so excited to see me on the other side when all of the hard work pays off.
Q: How do you maintain authenticity in your music amidst the evolving landscape of the music industry?
A:
I believe a village is important. The people around me know who I am and what my values are. I have check-ins and hold myself accountable when it comes to my identity, but I also have people around me to maintain that as well. Through the practice of gratitude, God has continuously reminded me who I am, and I use that as a compass.
Q: What are your aspirations for the future of your music career? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re excited about?
A:
I’m very excited to work on and release new music. I have so many ideas and pieces to share with the world. I look forward to establishing my team and doing what I love in a way that also serves others.
Q: How do you envision your music influencing the next generation of artists?
A:
I envision a world where my music lives on far beyond my life on this earth. I would be honored to see the next generation of artists appreciate, be inspired by, and maybe even sample my discography. I would also love to be in a space of mentorship for the next generation.
