SINGER-SONGWRITER LIZ LAWRENCE CHATS TO DANIELLE MUSTARDE ABOUT TAKING LIFE LESS SERIOUSLY, TRUSTING YOUR GUT AND BECOMING A DIY MUSICIAN

PHOTOS MARIEKE MACKLON

Grown in Shakespearean Stratford-upon-Avon and crafted in London, 29-year-old Liz Lawrence is (in contrast to the Bard) one of the sharpest songwriters around today. After a seven-year hiatus following her debut, she’s just released her self-made second album, the wonderfully-titled Pity Party. We thought we’d better pin her down now before we lose her to the masses…

DIVA: Hello Liz Lawrence. First off, Pity Party! Social commentary, personal reflection or both?

LIZ LAWRENCE: More personal, really. Largely I just thought it was funny. I try not to take things too seriously. Not always, but for the sorts of things I was talking about I figured that there had to be a relative amount of self-analysis and honesty. Like, how serious is this really? How sad are you actually? Are you just enjoying moping about? It was definitely more that, though people seem to be attracted to the name because they recognise something of themselves in it.

I don’t think anyone’s called it a “millennial anthem” just yet, but how would you feel if they did?