Raquel Lily I'm Leaving Interview

I'm Leaving

Born in the Philippines, raised in New York and currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia, Raquel Lily is an independent singer, songwriter, producer, guitarist and online personality. She streams music performance and a variety of content, including live vlogging (IRL Streaming), Just Chatting, Social Eating, gaming and cooking on Twitch. Graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, Raquel left the medical field and dove head first into her creative pursuit in music and began online streaming in 2017.

Her upcoming debut, full-length concept album, I'm Leaving, features eight songs, narrating a coming of age story about someone going through their 20's. Raquel confides, "Everyone's been broken from something. You smoke some weed, you fall in love, they turn out to be a f*ckboy, you're with someone shitty, you break up, you ghost them, you still love them, you resign, you meet someone new and there's hope again." Title track "I'm Leaving" is an honest and relatable track for anyone who's ever walked away from a toxic situation. Exuding a chilled, somber atmosphere while maintaining an upbeat rhythm, "I'm Leaving" emits a heavy sense of nostalgia. The single oozes with emotion, showcasing Raquel Lily's impressive vocal abilities; with a dose of Latin percussion, the soulful groove-fueled release comes alive.

Raquel confesses how her songwriting is a cathartic, emotional purge. With the simple objective to guide listeners through an impassioned ride, her songs are driven by genuine experiences from an introspective and honest place. Inspired by the likes of Whitney Houston and old school R&B, Raquel wanted to capture a similar essence of synth-heavy, soul soaked music. Her love for old soul groups and classics, including Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, also shines brightly throughout her music.

Interview with Raquel Lily

Question: How would you describe your music?

Raquel Lily: Indie soul or indie r&b.


Question: Can you tell us about I'm Leaving?

Raquel Lily: I'm leaving is an anthem to inspire those in need of breaking away from toxic relationships. It's self-produced and written by a heartbroken version of myself, tired of putting up with emotional abuse and being taken for granted.


Question: What inspired I'm Leaving?

Raquel Lily: I'm leaving was written as I was moving out of my previous town, in between packing boxes, an air mattress and my guitar in my lap. I had a falling out someone who I had been intimately/ musically entangled with for years and leaving the city felt symbolic of cutting ties with an old version of myself. Though reluctant to leave a familiar and comfortable place, I felt it was necessary to walk away.


Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

Raquel Lily: I hope to inspire people to strive to be better versions of themselves the way I strive to do such with my own writing. My lyrics are often thought provoking and if it is at least not an escape for some, I would hope it is becomes a learning experience for others.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Raquel Lily: What a cop out answer, but I truly love both. They're so different and I think each feed into the other. If I had to choose, I'd say live. I am much more considered in the studio and live is where I can just let it all out spontaneously.


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

Raquel Lily: I love performing Fuccboi because it gets people pumped. I also love surprising people, making them laugh, and just have them be emotional with me. That song just speaks to a lot in the crowd because you've either become a victim to one, know one, or are one yourself.


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

Raquel Lily: Paul McCartney or Stevie wonder. Damn, can I have both?


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

Raquel Lily: I am motivated by my emotions. I can't write unless I'm emotionally purging something. all Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Lauryn Hill, Magic City Hippies, PREP, Bruno Mars, Mariah Carey and Anderson Paak.

Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Raquel Lily: The Beatles, I learned how to play guitar because I was obsessed as a kid, I'm still obsessed as an adult.


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

Raquel Lily: Bruno Mars, his production is just insanity.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Raquel Lily: Having people take me seriously, as a woman. When you have a band and work with a bunch of dudes, people automatically assume everything is done for me and that I don't work for what I have; I have to keep reminding people I write my own music and produce my own songs. People also have tried to take advantage of me because I'm a woman. The music industry can get dark but you just have to be steadfast and take zero shit from people.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Raquel Lily: I wake up and lift or do yoga, I take care of merch, send emails, make a smoothie, connect on social media and post, work on music (right now I'm in post-production on a new single a month so it's every day like clockwork), cook, feed my cats, stream on Twitch MWF and then, go to bed at reasonable hour.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?
Raquel Lily: The live performance aspect of it, I just love to sing, it's my ultimate form of artistic expression. Not only is it technically challenging and fun, but it is my instrument. I am constantly trying to get better at it.


Question: What's next, for you?

Raquel Lily: Releasing this album ultimately, but doing one single at a time. I just released my first one and its success is really getting me excited to show off my other stuff. I just feel like people have no idea for what's in store. Tour sometime in the summer!





Interview by Brooke Hunter