Interview: Nashville Singer-Songwriter Liv Margaret Discusses Her New Music Video "Oasis"
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“I can usually hear production in my head when I’m writing, and if I hear my sound, I’ll most likely record a demo of it, as if I was calling dibs on the song. ”
When developing new music, describe your creative process for us. Also, do you play any instruments?
When I am developing new music, I try to keep an open mind. If I try to put a song in a box, pigeon hole a particular sound, then I can hit dead ends. I’ll have a little playlist of songs that are inspiring me at the current moment that I refer to, then I usually gravitate towards a particular sound or drum pattern that catches my ear, and then I can build the track with the producer from there. I like to work closely with the producer, even co-produce.
I play piano, guitar, and a little ukulele. When I’m writing, I do a lot of it on piano, but have started to write more on the guitar lately.
Congratulations on the release of your new music video for “Oasis”. Tell us about the song itself and what inspired you to write it.
Thank you! I initially wrote “Oasis” on the piano and wrote the song with the help of my friend Alex. At the time I was listening to a lot of Bossa Nova. I love “Girl From Ipanema”, especially the Frank Sinatra version. The song was definitely inspired by that.
I have a friend from Rio De Janeiro and would often fantasize about being there on those beaches. I originally wrote the song about wishing you could escape your current reality to a more dreamlike reality. You see, I grew up in New Hampshire where it seemed like Winter never stopped. We have snow from October till into April sometimes. I would daydream about being on a beach somewhere, soaking in the sun, with a margarita in my hand. Then, when this whole worldwide pandemic happened, it seemed like everyone wanted and needed to escape to an oasis. The song became very applicable to our current situation.
Where was the music video shot and how did you and the directors come up with the vintage, dream like treatment for it?
Not only do I listen to old Bossa Nova music, but I also listen to a lot of 50s/60s music. It’s a HUGE inspiration for my music. I naturally also love the fashion from those eras as well. The director, Matteo Guastamacchio, knew this about me and took the idea and ran with it.
We ended up shooting most of the beach scenes in Rhode Island (right next to Taylor Swift’s house), some in New Haven, CT and then shot the last scene in a warehouse in Nashville where we used the scene as a template for the CGI in post production – thanks to Paul Melluzzo and Omnislash Visual. Matteo loves old movies and art from those eras as well, so he knew just how to make look old and retro.
As a songwriter, how do you decide which songs to keep for yourself or to sell to other artists?
Sometimes, when I write with someone, there is a clear intention that I am either writing for the artist or myself. Sometimes the artist who I’m writing with has a clear idea and needs songs for a project. Sometimes we go into a writing session with no intentions, you know, writing just for the sake of creativity. When that happens and a great song comes out of it, usually there is one writer who is like, “I love this, this is so me, I need to cut this.” That’s happened to me before.
I can usually hear production in my head when I’m writing, and if I hear my sound, I’ll most likely record a demo of it, as if I was calling dibs on the song. But I’ve luckily never have had to argue over a song or anything like that.
Nashville is generally known as a country music destination. What’s your experience as a pop artist/songwriter been like there? Are there a lot of pop music venues to perform?
I moved to Nashville 7 years ago and when I first moved, there was only a tiny pop scene. But, since then, it has grown tremendously. Nashville is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. I know of so many producers and writers who have moved to Nashville from LA.
Now, most venues like to cater to multiple audiences, not just country music. I’ve had venues tell me that it was nice to have a night of pop music to break up all the country music. Most people like a little bit of both and I think Nashville is doing a good job of doing that. It’s really starting to cater to multiple genres, thanks to venues like Exit/In, the Commodore Grille, the Analog, and the Back Corner. I am grateful that I was able to hone in on my writing here in Nashville, because there are so many great writers here.
With the “Oasis” single and music video now released, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of 2020?
I have two upcoming singles, “Mind Reader” and “Famous,” to be released soon. I would like to release another music video along with one of the singles.
As far as making any more plans, it’s hard to say right now. Most of my gigs have been cancelled due to Covid-19, so I will be focusing on writing and recording from home for the majority of the rest of 2020.