Inspired #227 - LIZA OWEN
LA-via-Hampshire, British Cambodian pop star Liza Owen has just released her latest single ‘JOSIE’ - an anthemic ballad about a friendship gone sour. She took a moment to talk to us about the inspirations behind her music.
Who are your top three musical inspirations?
Dolly Parton & Sheryl Crow- as a story tellers there’s nobody better. Gwen Stefani. She’s just a bad ass bitch and her voice kills me...and I know you only asked for 3 but I have to just say the 1975 is one of my favourite bands.
Is there a certain film that inspires you?
A beautiful short film called Rhinestone Blue directed by Aisha Schliessler. It’s this incredible, heart warming short story about a cowboy. It’s over the top in a perfectly understated way. I love everything from the set design to the costumes to these unique characters. My creative director showed it to me almost a year ago and I was so floored that I ended up reaching out to the director to work together. Fast forward to now and she just directed the music video for my new single ‘JOSIE’ !
What city do you find the most inspiring?
Phnom Penh, Cambodia . It’s the most beautiful place in the world. I feel grounded and I touch with my roots when I’m there. I feel like people are happy with with less out there too. It reminds me of what’s important.
Who is the most inspiring person to you and why?
My mother! That women survived a genocide, moved around the world and learned 4 languages and single handily raised two kids. I get my strength and my drive from her. She’s my superhero.
What were your inspirations when writing your new single?
The story of ‘JOSIE’ is as personal as it gets...so I was inspired by life. I was living through it at the time so I was just talking about what was going on in my relationship the lyrics wrote themselves.
Musically, I’d been discovering a lot of new country music at the time, so maybe you hear that influencing the melodies a little in this song.
How would you like to inspire people?
I would love for people to look at my story and see that if you have a dream, you should chase it no matter where you come from or how crazy it might seem because it can absolutely become your reality!
There are no real limits. Only in your mind.