Lia D’Sau
Interview conducted on July 18, 2021
By Dan Locke
Lia, 18, was born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel. She started singing at the age of 7. Growing up in a musical family, she was exposed to all kinds of music from a very young age, shaping her own music style that varies between indie, R&B and rock sound
You are from Tel Aviv. Tell me about your upbringing?
My childhood was very free. My parents put us in a democratic school, where we learned how to be human, rather than being hyper-focused on grades and stuff like that. It 100% made me who I am today, and it’s the reason why I am pursuing my dreams. Also growing up on the beach shaped me totally
Your father was a member of a boy band. What band was he in?
He was in a band called HI-FIVE; they were the first Israeli boy band ever.
Has he told you anything about how the music industry has changed since he was in it?
We talk about how the industry has changed over the last couple of years since everything with social media has shifted the way, we consume entertainment completely.
How did you start to write music?
I just did. I can’t really explain it. I had something to say so I wrote it down and it made a song.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
My dad got it for me when we started learning together. I stuck with it and he didn’t haha, and I still use it to this day.
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make, and model? And does she have a name?
I am a sucker for fender guitars for sure. I just got my first electric guitar earlier this year, she was made in Mexico in 97? Not sure but she is the loml, her name is Alitza, after my great-grandma.
Describe your music.
I make r&b inspired indie music. I love to make music that speaks to me as well as others, and in order for that to happen I try to make my music as authentic as possible; your audience can tell when you’re faking it.
What was your first performance like?
I performed for the first time in first grade in front of the whole school, I sang the climb by Miley Cyrus, and it was the first of many.
Royalties never appear like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work undertaken by a PRO to ensure that their members are getting paid. If you’re not yet signed up to a Performing Right Organization like ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, you may not be receiving all the royalties you deserve.
Do you belong to any songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI, or ASCAP?
Yes, BMI.
What makes a good songwriter?
In my opinion, if you write from your heart, as cheesy as it sounds, your music will speak to people, and that’s what makes a good songwriter, someone who can connect human experiences together and make others feel true
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
My first original song was written when I was like 8 years old? The funny thing about it, like a couple months after i wrote it, Rude Boy by Rihanna came out, and the bridge on it sounded exactly like the song i had written, so i was walking around telling people Rihanna stole my song lol.
What is the process of writing your music?
I don’t have a specific process. It’s different each time. What stays the same though, is that I either finish the song in 15 minutes tops, or I never finish it.
Tell me about your debut single “Manboy”?
Manboy is a song I wrote after ending it with a dude I was seeing and thinking about how he was childish and where things went wrong between us. So, I wrote everything down semi chronologically and here it is!
How was it to work with Eden Shohat (G shock commercial) as a co-director?
I love Eden very very much. He gave me creative control, listened to what I had to say, and executed my vision into reality. What more could I ask for?
What is your favorite track on your ep?
I don’t have a favorite, they are all special to me, but I am excited about the next single. I think it’s a really good one.
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I think it’s great in the sense that radio channels don’t have all the power in who gets played and who doesn’t, and putting your music out is as simple as it has ever been.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Vinyl for the sound and the feel, digital for the planet.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Mist of a dream by birdlegs and pauline. No doubt one of the most beautiful songs i have ever encountered. It means so much to me.
Are you still thrift shopping?
Yes. I love clothes, and going to the thrift store is one of my favorite things to do
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
So many ways. Personally, during corona I watched my favorite artist play live shows, on Instagram. It is so amazing how far we’ve come technologically, for me and anyone with an internet connection to be able to do that. I think people have found ways of engaging their audience, now more than ever, without leaving the house.
If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
I used to think about this a lot. What’s my plan b? I wanted to move to the north and grow vegetables for a year after I finished high school. And I know I want to do something in nature, so probably a gardener.
What is your happy place?
The beach. I go almost every day, no matter the weather.
Do you think you would be willing to sell your back catalog if someone like Universal is willing to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs?
Right now, I don’t see myself doing that. If I don’t own my music, what am i? It’s my art and it is important to me to keep it.
But still, back at the beginning of the year, Spotify deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. What do you think that could mean to independent artists?
It’s complicated, since streaming services, like Spotify, want to make money, which makes sense that they delete low streamed songs, by indie artists mostly, in order to make room for the high earning popular music. On the other hand, how can an artist become popular and high earning and of value to these services, if they don’t have a place for people to find their music?
