“Don’t Gild The Lily” , Lily Forte talks Pink Floyd, keeping Rock N Roll Alive and Garage jams! - By The Fans Magazine Exclusive Interview

Words & Interview: Grace Wearn

Photography Credit: Julia McKay

Lily Forte! Thank you so much for taking the time to speak to us at By The Fans Magazine. Could you please tell our readers who maybe aren’t familiar with yourself, an introduction about you?”

Thank you so much for having me! My name is Lily Forte and I make bluesy pop/rock music. I am inspired by the musical era of the 1960’s and 1970’s. My debut album, Don’t Gild The Lily, comes out February 13th!

We’d love to know, who are your music influences and how do you think your influences has impacted the way you write your own music?

I grew up listening to jazz, rock n roll, and the blues which shaped my sound tremendously. Carole King, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd to name a few. Over the course of the last 5 years of writing music of my own, I’ve come to realize the mission of my music: keep rock n roll alive. 

“Have you got a dream venue that you’d love to play?”

I'd like to go back to 1969 and play Woodstock! Ha ha 

Your new album ‘Don’t Gild The Lily’ is out February 13th! Can you tell us a bit about that, how was the writing and creation process?

We created this album in my friend and collaborators garage studio. These songs came to life over the past year. Every week I would go to James’ studio and we worked as the ideas came along. It soon became a beautifully collaborative process, inviting other friends to join in. We had everyone from trumpet players, to guitarists, to drummers involved. It felt like I was leaning into my childhood. Growing up, I used to play in classic rock cover bands and we spent so much time playing music in garages, its something that is very wholesome to me

What’s your earliest memory of falling in love with music?

Gosh there's so many. On the topic of rock n roll and jamming in garages, I was a part of the School of Rock as a kid. It was a place where I would go weekly and learn every instrument under the sun and form a band with my peers. I was 11 years old when my mom signed me up. The first show I was a part of was Pink Floyd’s The Wall. The song I got chosen to sing was Nobody Home. When it came time for the performance, I remember feeling so connected to the music, even though at 11 years old, I didn’t have much sadness to pull from. There was almost a deeper feeling than I had ever felt present, every lyric rang true even though I couldn’t really relate. I believe that was the first time I experienced the power of music.

If you could have witnessed the recording and production of any album in history, which would it be and why?

Funny enough, it would be another Pink Floyd album, Dark Side of The Moon. I took a lot of inspiration from that album throughout writing my album. The connection between songs is like no other. I would say for me, it is in the top 3 best albums ever made.

How would you describe both the message and emotions that you’d like to spread to the world with your art through your music?

If listeners take anything from this album, I hope they embrace every aspect of themselves. The darkness and the light, the beauty and the pain. It's all a part of us and trying to mask it would be like gilding the lily.

We have your album release to look forward to on February 13th! But, what else can we expect from you in the near future?

Keep an eye out for an upcoming tour in a city near you! :)

Thank you so much! And the last question - Can you give any advice to upcoming young creatives in the industry, with the same drive and passion as you?

I would tell them that there is absolutely nothing embarrassing about going after what you want in life. Take risks and never ever forget why you started.

Don’t Gild The Lily is out now, you can listen here!