Rising Music Star Leezy On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry
An Interview With Ming Zhao
It sounds so cheesy, but self-care is always number one for me — and that doesn’t just mean face masks and bubble baths. I think it’s really important to always be checking in with yourself. You have to know what works for you, and then be able to make very clear what and where your boundaries are. Burn-out has happened for me when I become a ‘yes man,’ and end up crossing my own boundaries. It’s important to protect your energy, and it’s okay to say no.
As a part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Leezy.
Leezy is a master of contrasts.
At just 21 years old, the Chicago-based singer-songwriter exudes a wisdom far beyond her years. Leezy is unable to remember a time when she wasn’t singing — she recalls a musical childhood, surrounded by theater and the arts. She’s kept a daily journal since she was ten years old, always ready to be in touch with her internal dialogue.
At first, Leezy was resistant to the idea of pursuing music seriously, considering it a refreshing hobby. In a role reversal not experienced by many young creatives, it was actually her mother who encouraged her to consider a professional route, even buying her an electric keyboard. Leezy continued writing and recorded her first song upon arriving in Chicago at age 18.
Following her youth in the Bay Area, Leezy faced (and overcame) a new challenge. Young adulthood proved to be a battlefield of depression and addiction for the artist, and she made the decision to admit herself into treatment. Her time there was healing in more ways than one: not only was Leezy able to receive professional help, she also began to see her music in a new light. From a talent show among other patients to times of introspection during outpatient treatment, Leezy realized that music was, in fact, her calling. Becoming sober at nineteen is a victory in and of itself, and Leezy was ready to dive into the next chapter of her life with enthusiasm.
Now, Leezy has worked to lock in her own sound, never relinquishing the memory of her darker chapters. Managing to incorporate the rock elements of the late 90s and early 2000s into her bright sound, Leezy matches her penchant for the gritty and authentic with her honest stories. She is inspired by the likes of Elliot Smith but speaks to a new generation with her unique life experience, hoping to make listeners feel less alone in their individual journeys, particularly other young people.
Her latest single, “Sierra,” is a hopeful, dramatic ode to the resilience of the human spirit and will be available everywhere on March 11th. With vocals reminiscent of Lana Del Rey, honesty in the style of Billie Eilish, and a full backing band to bring everything to life, “Sierra” is Leezy’s most vulnerable work yet — an impressive feat, considering her existing catalogue.
In her own words, Leezy describes the track as a chronicle of her journey from rock bottom to sobriety, an accomplishment for which she recently acknowledged the two-year mark. “The biggest thing is that the song is about my own personal journey, and that’s where I drew inspiration from — but regardless of if you’ve struggled with addiction, everyone has struggled with something, and everyone can relate to the feeling of wanting to get better.”
She shares that once she got sober, a flurry of emotions came flooding in. The song spilled out of her, almost organically, in a moment she describes as a cathartic process. “Sierra” is a reminder of how far the young artist has come and an exciting window into all the stories she still has to share.
Leezy is continuing to hone her craft and looks forward to the day she and her piano can connect with audiences face to face. She is a singer-songwriter crafting a world of dream-pop — and inviting the listener in to spend time with her there.
After all, she says, there’s nothing better than a Hollywood ending.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Thank you so much for having me!
I was born and raised in the Bay Area, California which was really nice — nice weather, nice enough people. It was a pretty small suburb, so it was easy to get bored and get into trouble. I went to Catholic school pretty much my whole life, and I sang in the school choir. That was always my favorite class in school. My family was very much into art and music — I have memories of us all sitting around a player-piano and singing through musicals together. So, luckily, they were encouraging when it came to pursuing creative interests. But , like I said, it was easy to get into trouble, and in high school, I found a new love for substances. I was fortunate enough to be able to get the help I needed, and once I got sober, I found my way back to music.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
It was my mom who always knew. She used to tell me she thought I would either become a writer or a singer (and now I’m both!). When she encouraged me to pursue music as a career, I was always reluctant because I struggled a lot with my confidence. I thought “yeah, it would be cool to be a singer,” but it felt unattainable, and very much like ‘a dream.’ So I was sort of lost for some time — entertaining the idea of some other career paths, and making music just for fun. I was also in the midst of my addiction cycle at that time, which definitely contributed to my fears about pursuing ‘the dream.’ When I finally got the help I needed, I wondered why I hadn’t been living my truth. My sobriety was a huge key to realizing that there’s no harm in giving it a shot — like, why not do what I love?
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
The most interesting thing, for me, has been noticing how my music changes as I change. I started making music before I got sober, so a lot of my earlier releases were written when I was using. When looking back on those songs now, with a clear mind and a new perspective, I can see how much I’ve grown, not only as a writer, but as a person. It’s interesting to be able to associate a certain song with a time period in my life — what I was going through, how I was processing my emotions, and where I went from there.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I think a big mistake I made early on was not trusting myself. When I was starting out, I had some people telling me that I should try writing in a different style — something ‘more upbeat,’ happier, poppier, more ‘powerful’… and for a while, I got really caught up in that opinion. I’ve since realized that it’s important to create music that I love, and write what I feel inspired by. I don’t need to write anything for anyone but myself, and ultimately, that allows me to better connect to my audience. If I stay authentic in my art, I reach my people!!! As an artist, there’s nothing better than that.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Lately, I’ve been rehearsing with my band to put together a live show! It’s been really cool to work with insanely talented musicians, and to flesh out my songs (many of which are on my debut album “Metanoia” out October 14) with live instruments. I seriously can’t wait to perform for my fans! I’ve also been wanting to put out merch for a while, and it’s finally in the works — stay tuned!
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music, film, and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
I think diversity is extremely important, and it’s been nice to see the entertainment industry finally attempting to move with the times. As a white woman, I’m privileged in that I’ve always been able to see myself represented in the media. That being said, I think it’s crucial that the industry create a space where everyone can have that same experience — to hear their story being told, to see someone that looks like them, and to feel understood in their experience.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
It sounds so cheesy, but self-care is always number one for me — and that doesn’t just mean face masks and bubble baths. I think it’s really important to always be checking in with yourself. You have to know what works for you, and then be able to make very clear what and where your boundaries are. Burn-out has happened for me when I become a ‘yes man,’ and end up crossing my own boundaries. It’s important to protect your energy, and it’s okay to say no.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
My sobriety journey has been a huge part of my life, so I really want people who also struggle with substance abuse to be able to get the help that they need, find a support system, and have the confidence to seek it out. Addiction is still a taboo topic, and yet almost everyone I talk to has been affected by it in some way. I want to normalize the fact that getting sober is sexy, and that being able to come out of that cycle and better yourself shouldn’t be embarrassing — it’s fucking cool.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I always have to shout out my mom. She is such a wonderful, accepting, and compassionate person. She has always allowed me to explore who I am without judgment, and I am so grateful to her. She read all of my shitty poems, comforted me through heartbreaks, showed up to every choir concert and talent show, gifted me my first keyboard, helped me find a treatment center when I needed to get sober… Her unconditional love and support throughout my life has not only helped me, but also inspired me to want to be more like her.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
One that I heard recently that really stuck with me is “progress over perfection.” I’ve definitely struggled with perfectionism, and sometimes I have really negative self-talk when I feel like I haven’t met my own (often outrageous) expectations. The reality is that I can’t be perfect, and what’s more important is learning, growing, trying, and trying again. I can only do my best, and my best will look different every day.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
This is so random, but I would love for Gordon Ramsay to cook me a meal. I had a phase where I was obsessed with watching cooking shows, and when you said breakfast or lunch, I just felt like he would definitely whip up something amazing.
How can our readers follow you online?
You can find me on TikTok @leezy and Instagram @leezymusic69 !
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Thank you for having me!
