Lizzie Cates
Interview conducted on Aug. 30, 22020
By Dan Locke
Pop/Country star, Lizzie Cates. She just released her new single “I Like The Way”, which premiered on Country Sway. This rising female country Star has delivered the perfect upbeat tune for all the summer road trip romances. The country vibe of the song is accented with beautiful electric guitar holds and a driving beat. Cates pristine vocals accentuate her message of how important the seemingly unimportant things are. Listeners will “like the way” Lizzie’s brilliant lyrics blend with upbeat melodies to create the perfect fun love song. Who doesn’t “like the way” a good song feels? “I Like The Way” is now available for download and streaming on all music platforms.
What is your upbringing?
I was very fortunate enough to have parents that taught me that you have to work really hard for what you want. I was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. My parents were pretty strict. They always made sure that we did well in school and did our chores around the house. Which, looking back, I am grateful for because it taught me to work hard at everything. I was a pretty good kid growing up. I had a wild imagination and wrote a lot of stories. I grew up with two sisters, one being a twin sister. We were always together. We shared a lot of the same friends. My parents also adopted my two cousins as well, so I consider them my sisters as well. So, I grew up in a household with a lot of girls. All of us girls are very artistic, so I think that helped my creativity. We grew up loving fantasy and loved coming up with our own stories. In fact, we all at one point wrote our own books.
I loved being outside as a kid. I still do today. I was fortunate enough to have parents that loved camping. We spent every summer camping and traveling to National Parks. Hiking is one of my favorite hobbies. I grew up thirty minutes from the famous Lake Tahoe, so I spent almost every weekend up there during the summers. I didn’t really spend that much time in doors during the summers, which I think is why I’m such a busy body now. I don’t like sitting in one place.
How did you discover music?
I grew up with parents that love music. My mom used to sing a lot. She loved 80s rock and pop but country music was her favorite. My grandma always loved country as well. In fact, she was the one who told me “if you wanna be a country star, you gotta be in Nashville”. My dad always listened to punk rock and classic country. I think country music was more my path because it was embedded into me at since I was a baby. Whenever I couldn’t sleep as a baby, my mom would rock me and sing “Somewhere Other Than the Night” by Garth Brooks. I’ve wanted to become a country singer as far back as I can remember. I was obsessed with the Dixie Chicks (the Chicks) and dreamed of becoming one of them.
I started writing songs when I was five years old. I got a pink sparkly Barbie guitar for my fifth birthday and went into my room and wrote my first song. I’m pretty sure it was just “Twinkle Little Star” rewritten to be called “Lucky Star”, but for a five-year-old, that was songwriting to me. I had all my friends and my twin sister’s friends sit down as I played them the song I wrote. I did this for every birthday party, family gathering and sleepover after that.
Since I didn’t know how to play an instrument, I used to take karaoke tracks of songs and write lyrics to them. I, of course, did not know that was copyright infringement (haha). I just loved telling stories in any way that I could.
I always thought that every artist and band wrote their own songs, so writing was so natural for me. I then found out that actually most artists did not write their own music. I was devastated when I found this out and vowed to myself that I would always write my own songs.
I taught myself how to play guitar when I was in middle school after seeing Taylor Swift open for Brad Paisley. She only had one song on the radio at this time. My family and I were near the front and this 16-year-old girl came out with her guitar and headset microphone. She sang songs she wrote about being in high school and the boys she liked and broke her heart. I was in awe because that was what I was doing and there wasn’t an artist on country radio doing that. I knew that I needed to learn how to play guitar.
Once I learned the guitar, my world of songwriting opened up. I would write 2-5 songs a day. I would come home from school and just write until I fell asleep.
You started your song writing at the age of 5 witty you’re singing and writing of fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Can you tell me one of the stories?
I can’t remember a lot of them, but I do know that I wrote a lot about being a princess in distress waiting for her prince charming. I also wrote a lot of stories about cats and unicorns cause that’s what I was obsessed with as a child. Not gonna lie, I’m still obsessed (haha).
What makes a good storyteller?
I think a good storyteller is someone who can relate to people. Relatability is so important when it comes to connecting with an audience. At least, for writing songs. For me, putting as much detail in a song is crucial for my writing style. I start off writing a song for me and to tell my story rather than writing a song to be a “hit” for country radio. For example, my song “Strangers” was a song that I wrote about a personal story of mine. The original version was over ten minutes long because I had so much detail in it. My co-writer, Nate Teel, helped me refine it. At first, I wasn’t sure it was going to see the light of day, but Nate kept telling me to put the song out. I was also told by a lot of people to not put out such a personal song as my debut single. I am so glad that I did, though. I had so many people sending me messages about how they could relate to the song. Whenever I play this song out live, I always have people crying and them coming up to me after the show thanking me for writing a song that related to what they were going through.
You got your first guitar at 13. How did you get that first guitar, and do you still have it?
After I saw Taylor Swift, I became obnoxious and asked my parents literally every day if I could get a guitar. After wearing them down, my dad took me to Guitar Center to pick one out. I chose a black acoustic/electric Ibanez. I played the heck out that guitar. I named it “Midnight”. I actually do not have that guitar anymore. I gave it to my best friend’s brother because he wanted to learn how to play.
What was the first song you wrote with the guitar? What was the title of that first original song? In addition, did you record it?
Oh man. The very first song I wrote on that guitar was a song I wrote about this boy I had the biggest crush on. The song was called “Speechless”. It was such a silly song and all my friends would constantly sing it. The boy’s name was JJ and I even put his name in that tagline of the song. “JJ, you leave me speechless”.
I never did record it, but I did play it for a talent show and at my friends’ birthday parties.
Why did you start making videos for YouTube back in 2011?
I’ve been making videos for YouTube even longer than that. I started out making fan videos for shows that I watched. I would take songs and make little music videos using clips from my favorite shows. I started making cover videos and videos of me singing because I loved watching those. I knew that this would be a great way to get my music out there. I was obsessed with YouTube!
What was your first performance at like?
The very first public performance I can remember was my 7th-grade talent show. I sang “Our Song” by Taylor Swift.
The very first performance I did with an original song was at a local talent show when I was 14. I performed a song I wrote called “Not Yet” and I got first place! I remember just being so excited and knew that I wanted to keep performing.
What is your is your writing process like?
What I love about songwriting is that it never happens the same way. I usually have a concept first, but sometimes I’ll have a title or melody. Sometimes I will already have a couple of lines written or a whole chorus. A lot of my ideas I get as melodies and I will record them into my phone.
If I am going into a co-write, I will bring a bunch of ideas. I like to be prepared. I’ll name all the ideas I have to my co-writers and see which one they might be feeling that day. I usually like to write the hook and chorus first and build off that, but I find that more story-like songs, I start with the verse to build the story.
How was it to get an ISSA Award for your breakout song “Strangers” in 2017?
Absolutely crazy! There were so many artists nominated and I thought they deserved to win. I had just moved to Nashville, so I was extremely grateful!
Tell me about your new single “I Like the Way”?
“I Like the Way” is a real turning point for me. I am so excited that it is finally out in the world! This song is kind of a reintroduction to me as an artist. I had put out an EP called “Such a Mess” in April 2019, but at the time I was only really wanting to be a writer rather than an artist. I kind released that on a whim to have music out. After a lot of encouragement, I decided I wanted to give being an artist a shot. I had spent the last year just writing as much as I could to find a sound I would fall in love with.
When I got into the room with Kate Hastin and Josh Beale of the duo Hasting & CO, I could feel an instant connection. I had the line “I like the way I like you” in my phone and they loved it! When we first wrote this song, I knew it was a turning point for me. This was the sound I had always wanted. At the time, I was obsessed with New York City. I loved how terrifying, keeps you guessing but yet intriguing and challenging it is. I thought that was a perfect comparison to love. I love writing in metaphors, so we made New York a running metaphor theme of the song.
We quickly took the song to an amazing Nashville producer named Robbie Artress. I had a lot of ideas as to what I wanted this song to sound like and even had guitar parts written. I didn’t know how to play the electric guitar lead licks very well, so I would mimic them with my voice. Robbie just played them instantly. I had never worked with a producer who would let me be highly involved with the production. I knew right away that Robbie was the right producer for this song. We got all the pieces for the song in that same day including the vocals that when we decided to take that demo and record the actual release version, we made the decision to keep all the components of that demo and just redo the drums, bass and add a couple more things. We took it to Shuffle Brothers Studio where they worked their magic.
The love I have been receiving is so overwhelming. I am just so unbelievably thankful that people have been loving this song as much as I do. I am so proud of it and absolutely love the team I’ve been working with.
Hoe is your EP/LP coming alone.
If you like “I Like the Way”, then you will love this album. “I Like the Way” is such a great teaser as to what the album or EP will be like. We haven’t really decided if it will be an EP or a full album. I think, for now, we will just be releasing a couple of singles off of it. I have been recording for the last year and already have so many songs picked out. I even have the title. What I can say is that there is a running theme throughout the whole project. I’m calling this album the songwriter’s album (that’s not the title though) because I wanted to really showcase some of my favorite co-writers. I really narrowed down who I wanted to write with on this project. I also will have multiple producers because I work with some amazing producers who are also my co-writers.
How do you stay healthy while performing?
I drink a lot of water. Having water with me onstage is something that I have to have. I also try to eat healthier, especially if I know I have a show that night or that week. I’m definitely not perfect and could be better because I LOVE junk food. I think just being aware of how you feel on show days is important. I can really feel it if I eat super unhealthy the day of the show.
How do you feel beginning compared to the likes of Taylor Swift, Natalie Maines, and Kelsea Ballerini?
They are some of my favorites. I never really minded it until people would say that I was copying them, but I feel like no matter what you do, you will always be compared to someone. It’s just human nature to compare something or someone to what you know. I have come to terms with that, and honestly, if I am going to be compared to someone, it might as well be my favorite artists.
What are you are feeling about streaming music?
I think technology has definitely moved to a whole new level. I think there are positives and negatives about streaming. One, you have the potential to really gain fans from all over the world. You can market your music a lot easier. I think it is incredible that people from anywhere can listen to your music with just a press of a button on your phone or computer.
Market your music a lot easier. I think it is incredible that people from anywhere can listen to your music with just a press of a button on your phone or computer.
The negative side is that no one is buying actual physical copies of your music. I personally love the feeling of still going to the store to buy albums. Also, artists aren’t making money off their music anymore which is really important for an artist.
Digital vs. vinyl?
This is probably a biased answer, but definitely vinyl. I am an old soul and love the way vinyl sounds. It just sounds so cozy in my opinion.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
All-day I have been singing “You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins from the Tarzan Soundtrack. This album was definitely the soundtrack of my childhood. My mom would always play in the car no matter where we went and we would sing all the songs at the top of our lungs. It brings back such great memories for me. The song makes me think of my mom and how much I miss her. She’s back in Reno and I only get to see her maybe twice a year. My mom has always been my biggest fan and I’m so thankful for her.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I think the music industry will definitely be changing due to everything happening. I think that there won’t be as many large venue concerts. I think that this is a great time for writers because artists are off the road, so they are looking for more music. I think there will be a lot more music coming out more frequently. Most artists wait about two years to put out a new album, but I think that full length albums might not be coming out as much. I feel like since artists can’t really tour now and who knows when they will be able to go back out on the road, fans are going to be antsy. I think that artists will release shorter EP like albums more to fill the void of waiting for the next thing.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I feel like I went through so many phases in self-quarantine. In the beginning, I binge-read a book series I was obsessed with. I kind of am a compulsive reader, and when I find a series, I like I have to read the whole thing right then. I read this book series called “The White Rabbit Chronicles” which is a five-book series where each book is 500 pages in 6 days. (haha)
Then, I got really into watercolor painting. I would paint scenes that were inspired by my favorite song lyrics that I had written. I’m thinking about making these available on my website.
I was also obsessed with playing “Animal Crossing” which is a game on the Nintendo Switch that came out during this whole shutdown. I used to play this game when I was a little kid, so I was extremely excited. In the game, you build a town full of animals. In this new version, your friends can come visit your town via online, which I loved because I would “hang out” with my twin sister since she is back in Reno. It was the closest thing to being with her, so I loved it.
I used to bartender since I moved to Nashville, so during self-quarantine, this was the first time I didn’t have a normal job to go to. I took advantage of this time and wrote every day! I wrote a lot of songs by myself which I haven’t done in such a long time. It was very therapeutic for me. I am so thankful for this time. I only co-wrote with one person via FaceTime, Jason Witt, and we really challenged my writing ability. We tried out a lot of new styles and vocal strategies. There are a couple of songs that I love so much that they will be on my next project. You can say I was very productive during self-quarantine.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
During quarantine, I got back into painting. I used to draw and paint a lot when I was younger. So, I am glad I have brought that back into my life.
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
I was a big Netflix fan because the only shows I really watch are “The Office”, “Parks and Recreation” and “Friends”, but I am super sad they took “Friends” off. Lately, I have been watching “Disney +” because I am watching all the throwback shows like Hannah Montana. I am a huge Disney fanatic.
You played your first post-covid-19 live performance over on twitch at the “Hope Isn’t Concelled Online Music Festival”. How was it?
The “Hope Isn’t Cancelled Online Music Festival” was awesome! It was the first live stream show I did during quarantine time. I had met Tisha from Booth Life last year at CMA Fest and I was honored when she asked me to be part of the festival.
Why Emo are covers some of your favorite to play on guitar?
Lately, I have been into playing throwback songs from when I was in middle school and high school. I happened to be super emo during those times (seriously. I had jet black hair and eyeliner up to my eyebrow line. It was a strange time in my life haha.). I just love the melodies of songs like “Sugar We’re Goin’ Down” by Fall Out Boy and “Hero/Heroine” by Boys Like Girls. I think songs like these really inspired my songwriting. They are just super fun to play. I uploaded a snippet of me playing “Sugar We’re Goin’ Down” on my Instagram and people freaked out over it! I can’t complain because it’s such a fun song and everyone knows it.
How is it to play in Nashville now?
It’s definitely different. No one can approach the stage anymore. So, the connection is slightly lost in that aspect. There also can’t be more than 2-3 people on stage in most venues, so seeing bands is going to take some time to come back, I think. I am just super grateful to be able to slowly get back and play for people again.
With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it maybe the end of the music fest for the next couple of years?
It’s really hard to say. I think they definitely will not be as big with massive crowds for at least the next year. I think they will be able to happen again with the spaces people can purchase rather than normal tickets.
Tell my readers about the Miss Hope United Pageant, which takes place on Sept. 29?
I am so beyond excited to play this event! The event is actually on Saturday, September 26 starting at 3 pm at the Inn at Opryland in Nashville. The pageant is going to be the first-ever televised “body-positive” beauty pageant. The show will be celebrating all women in every aspect and will be full of fun moments. This won’t be like most beauty pageants with a swimsuit segment or anything like that. This will be about inner beauty and just celebrating women. I was so honored when they asked me to perform my new single “I Like the Way” during the show. The show will be filmed on the 26 and will premiere a little later on premiere a major television network. At this time, I cannot announce the network name until they have made the announcement and shown the commercial for it which will be after filming. The show will be streamed on the Miss H.O.P.E. United Pageant Facebook the day of the show, though. Tickets for the show are also available to everyone on their website.
The performance will be super fun and lighthearted. Expect to see me in sparkles for sure!
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
In five years, I’m not really sure where I will be, but I hope that I am still in the world of songwriting whether it be for my own artist career, writing for other artists or both. I just want to write as much as I can and get my voice out there.
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