An Interview With LIV WARFIELD On Her Newest Music, Working With Prince and More!

Photo Credit- Joe Lemke

“Mantra” is the newest single out now by the musician, LIV WARFIELD. Check it out here:  https://soundcloud.com/olivia-mccoy-677660947/mantra/s-8ob0g

It was written by Warfield and guitarist Ryan Waters, backed by a 42-piece orchestra, with orchestral arrangements composed by Grammy-Award winning conductor Mateo Messina (for the film, “Juno”).

“I heard strings all over this song, and it happened. This song was supposed to happen. It’s for everyone! The arrangement came together thanks to the composing genius of Conductor Mateo Messina.”

The emotional roller coaster and magnitude of the guitar wailing over the James Bond-esque sound is unparalleled. “Mantra” is Warfield’s beautiful affirmation that releasing self-doubt and confronting issues that continue to plague us every day is the only way to move forward and to grow. “My dreams are half-broken, and I can’t fly, the only thing left is to believe.” Words of power, passion, and prayer. “Mantra” lets us all know it’s time to rise.

Liv was a member of Prince’s New Power Generation (NPG);  Prince was also her mentor for her solo career. Liv had been in the midst of working on her third studio album when Prince passed away, so plans for her release came to a halt.  While working on new material with him, although the album wasn’t complete at the time, when Prince heard “Mantra,” it immediately caught his attention.  He told her she had something. The album came to a halt after Prince’s passing but now, three years later, Warfield is releasing her new single to fans.

After a period of depression when Prince passed, Liv took a break, but then started playing shows again in 2016, perfecting her sound, which became a lifeline for both Liv and her musical partner guitarist Ryan Waters.  They began writing new music, and their creative energy caught the attention of Nancy Wilson of Heart in 2017.  It was then, that Warfield and Waters formed the group with Wilson, Roadcase Royale. Their lead single, “Get Loud,” was featured prominently in 2017’s Women’s March; and the band released their debut album, “First Things First,” later that year. Warfield and Waters spent the next year playing to sold-out arenas, opening for rock legend Bob Seger, and recorded a remake of the classic Heart song, “These Dreams,” which was featured in the biopic, “Molly’s Game.”

Though she enjoyed touring with Roadcase Royale, Warfield yearned to work on her music once again. 2018 saw Liv on an amazing West Coast tour while simultaneously working on new music, but it was one song that kept coming back to her consistently, the song that Prince loved titled “Mantra” — it was a song that needed to come to fruition before moving forward with anything else musically — and will be Warfield’s first new single released in August of 2019.

Connect to Liv Warfield Here- Website

Learn more about Liv Warfield in the following All Access interview with the singer here-

Now that we are more than half-way through the year, how has 2019 been treating you?

This year has been amazing…I knew what I wanted to do this year, and so far, my goals are being met.

What are some goals that you have for yourself this year? How close are you to reaching them?

Touring, releasing new music and recording my album live at the Apollo Theater. I’m also finishing up my collaboration album with Joon Moon.

I’m super super proud of myself…I’ve just about reached these goals.  Next year will be the live recording, and everything else should be done by this November.

Growing up, how important was music in our life?

Music was important, and was the backdrop in my life.  My mother put a violin in my hand at the age of six, and I only stayed with it till I was 14. I was too impatient to read the notes, so I picked up everything by ear. That didn’t last long. Although there was music constantly playing around the house — gospel music that is (laughing) — I caught on late to the greats. But my father would always slide in some great jazz though.

Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician?

Heck yeah, I was eight years old. I put a blanket around my neck thinking I had long Diana Ross hair, and I would twirl in circles in the basement and perform like she would. I was obsessed with this TV special she did, and I would watch it over and over and over again.  Then the other time was when I moved to Portland and dropped out of Portland State to pursue music. That was liberating, but hard.

Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?

It was the easiest decision to make. When something inside was pulling me so hard to change the trajectory of my life, I listened! I went for it!

Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else?

Of course, I was an athlete all my life. I spent the better half of my life training as an elite gymnast and a heptathlete. I knew I was going go to the Olympics at some point, and then get my degree in social work.

If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing? Would you be as fulfilled in life?

A social worker. And owing my own boutique…I’m a bit obsessed with fashion.

Absolutely, I’ve always wanted to be of service to this world in some ways. I care about people and families.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career?

What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?  I guess the welcome challenge would be the new hustle — I used to ride around in my car posting up flyers all over town for my shows.  It’s really the human interaction of promoting your own music. It’s really now about heavy promotion on social media.

I must ask you about your time as a member of Prince’s New Power Generation. What was it like being part of such a high caliber group?

I was part of the best band in the world. And I’m grateful. It was mind blowing on how I was taught the ultimate musicianship and stage presence from the master himself. I miss having the “on the edge” excitement, because that’s was he was — and NPG was all the time. Who do you know now that would play a three-arena show and then turn around the same night and play till 4 to 5 am in the morning?  That love for the music is what I miss that soo much. It was the ultimate!

What would you say you learned from that experience?

I learned more about who I was regarding the music and value I brought as a musician/singer/songwriter. It was a fast pace environment. Purple energy is freedom, and I learned just that —  to be free in the moment and to learn my craft.

What was the inspiration for your newest track, “Mantra”?

I had been struggling over the past four years trying to figure out my path. After the release of my album, “The Unexpected,” in 2014, and after Prince’s passing, I was lost. The music industry seemed to be getting harder.  It was becoming more about the social numbers than the music itself. My life was shifting, but I knew that I couldn’t give up.  It took me four years to finish this song, and rightfully so. I’m glad I took my time, because the actions in my life had to grow and change with this song in order for it to make the impact that it does musically. It’s an R&B/rock opus rollercoaster. The highs and lows of emotion are what we go through in life, and you should never give up — the path will be different soon. Just keep finding your way!

How would you say that it compares to your previous songs?

It’s raw! It’s really speaks to where I’m at right now. It’s also more guitar heavy, and I love a heavy guitar/bass riff.

What was it like having a 45-piece orchestra play on it?

Heavenly…I dreamed about having a string section on this song since 2017, and I never thought it would happen. So I met conductor/arranger Mateo Messina, and I let him listen to it and he loved it.  He said that he could write something to it, and I was floored! I performed the song with him and his 80-piece orchestra in Seattle, Washington, and I was in tears. It hit like a wave. The beauty and the frequency that moves in the room is special.

When do you plan on releasing more new music and a full collection of new songs?

I’m planning on releasing new music in March of 2020, and am collaborating with the producer of Joon Moon. We’ve just about finished the album, and I’m really excited about this project. I’ll also be recording my live album at the Apollo Theater in 2020.

Where can people see you perform next?

I’ll be performing at City Winery in Washington, DC on Oct 1, and I’m working on a small tour in the States.

Do you plan to tour at all this summer or later in the year?

I did a small tour called the “NoBreaksTour” in July in Madrid, Belgium, UK Luxembourg and Paris.  It was incredible.  We played some amazing festivals and clubs. I can’t wait to go back next year.

What has been a favorite performance of yours so far?

Oh wow, that’s a tough question. I think this past Paris show at New Morning was a top performance for me, and “The Unexpected” performance on Jimmy Kimmel.  Sheesh.. that’s tough.. lolol.

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started making music?

I’ve learned to trust myself more.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms?

Difficult! I’m trying to manage it all, but I don’t have anyone helping me to manage accounts and websites. I do this on my own.

Is it hard to stay up to date on it all?

Absolutely, I’m an independent artist. I go hard. Until I can get someone to help me, I’m all in for myself.  It has to get done somehow!

What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?

I do love the InstaStories — I love posting there because it’s only for 24hours. I post everything there.

What has social media done for your career so far?

I’m really able to push my music to a wider audience. I love that.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music?

Kamasi Washington, Koffee, Lenny Kravitz, Teskey Brothers, Raphael Saddiq, Corey Henry, Grace Jones, Mary J Blige, Jean Baylor, Van Hunt…

Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

Lenny Kravitz, Van Hunt and Raphael Saddiq

What has been the coolest place/TV show/commercial that you have heard a song of yours?

Jimmy Fallon

Where would you still love to hear a future song of yours played?

I want “Mantra” in the new James Bond movie.

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?

I just want the vibrations to hit the heart. I want the lyrics to matter and the music to move you.