Lili Kendall love, herself Interview

LA-Based Aussie Lili Kendall Announces New Single and Video Love, Herself

Australian born, LA based songwriter Lili Kendall has announced her divine new single love, herself. love, herself is a serene, blissful track; an ode to love and everything that comes along with the strength of true passion. Lili has also released a glorious clip for love, herself, sugar-coated and bright, directed by Cole Needham (Shae Jacobs, Cat Spare).

love, herself is both wonderously timeless, describing the highs of being in love, and also incredibly modern, with on-the-pulse production reminiscent of SZA and Ariana Grande. Lili's voice glides on love, herself, and she sings with a confidence and assurance well beyond her years. Speaking about writing the song, Lili reveals, "When I was originally writing the song in the studio I was singing 'I think I am in love with love itself' – then something came over me, and I just started singing 'herself' instead. It made so much sense to me. I wanted to bring light to the divine feminine in not only every being but every atom, the collective energy that is love, herself."

The clip for love, herself feels like a feast – every shot is stunning, meticulously put together, and deeply pleasing to the eye. Lili is surrounded by love; as she sits encircled by friends, and even sitting alone, the viewer can feel a strong, heavenly, feminine energy exuding through her presence. Working with director Cole Needham, Lili explains the ideas behind the clip, "We wanted to keep it clean and simple, like a cherry on top of the song. It accents the story and emotion of love, herself perfectly to me. I really just wanted to showcase that thing in all of us, what makes us all love and connect to one another."

Lili has been living in LA for two years, working on her craft and growing into her own – and it looks like her work is going to pay off in the form of her debut album later in 2019. Honest and captivating, Lili describes her journey over the last couple of years, "I spent most of the first year in LA lost and confused. The second year I stopped relying on people, and made my own way into studios as a writer instead of an artist. After over six months of writing, I realised I had so much music on my laptop that I could create 10 albums. So I chose my favourite songs, the ones I really connected to, and I began crafting my debut album."

Interview with Lili Kendall

Question: What inspired the track love, herself?

Lili Kendall: Personal relationships in my life, inspiring the perspective that sometimes we are not necessarily in love with the person so much as that thing around and within us all, the energy that is love, herself.


Question: What was it like creating the music video?

Lili Kendall: It was the second video we created for the song, so I was nervous to get this one right. But it was a really beautiful day, Cole and the whole team apart of creating with me that day were incredible, and once we started filming, all my anxiety was gone and I was able to just be in the moment and create. I can't wait to create more with them!


Question: What message do you hope love, herself spreads?

Lili Kendall: The inward love of thyself, and therefore the outward love of others.

Question: How did it feel to have Kehlani share your track on Instagram?

Lili Kendall: We stan Lani in this household! It's crazy having another strong woman in the industry you have looked up to, and now call a friend, supporting you.


Question: What do you miss most about Australia, living in LA?

Lili Kendall: The sound of our birds in the morning and the bats at sunset, definitely the beaches and I miss my family and animals more and more every day. I'm making an effort to go home more during the year, I feel so grounded when I'm in Australia.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Lili Kendall: Experiences and perspectives, my own and the people around me.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Lili Kendall: I'm listening to my playlist right now with music from James Blake, Al Green, SiR, Nai Palm, Lucky Daye, Kanye, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Ari Lennox, Tierra Whack, Anderson Paak, Beyoncé, Solange, Queen, Frank Ocean, Post, Elton John, OutKast... and a lot more, my taste is kind of all over the place.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?
Lili Kendall: I don't think I ever consciously entered the industry... I was inspired by life to simply just create music, that was a natural outlet for me to discover, and the music industry is something I have to be involved with to continue to do that successfully. If I could do all this creating and sharing without dealing with the toxicity of this industry, I would.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Lili Kendall: When I share a song with my birthday twin, Andre 3000, I'll be content.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Lili Kendall: Every day is different, but everyday involves good music, good food, good love.


Question: Can you share with us five things required for you to live a happy healthy and enjoyable life?

Lili Kendall: My alone time, my family, my music, my home and my connection to source.


Question: Can you please share your socials?

Lili Kendall: @lilikendall Facebook.com/lilikendall
Twitter.com/lilikendall
YouTube.com/lilikendall


Interview by Brooke Hunter