Liz Lenten – The Favourite Mistake Discussion

1. Congratulations on the upcoming release of the “Favourite Mistake” EP with Auburn! What inspired this project, and what can listeners expect from it?

Thank you! The project was inspired by all the talented and creative people I have been collaborating and studying with over the last 2 years. The songs were inspired by life’s situations – mine – and everyone else I know or come across.

I’ve been told that listeners can expect: ‘Indie-Americana/singer-songwriter….so many different, but well-blended ingredients – it’s beautiful – and very Auburn….…perfect for a road trip playlist!!’ Pat Garvey/CILC

2. Auburn is described as an Americana ensemble. How would you define the Americana genre, and how does it influence the sound and style of the EP?

To me, Americana is a fusion of rootsy styles, actually exactly as described by the AMA – “contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues” – which are all the kinds of music I enjoy listening to, and so writing to – I don’t consciously think about genre – its just where my rootsy, jazzy, country, bluesy, folky tracks seem to sit.

3. Could you walk us through the creative process behind the EP? How did you select the songs, arrange them, and capture the overall mood and themes?

I enrolled on a year-long mentorship programme with The Songwriting Academy. I really wanted to focus on song writing, and with the opportunity to study with some of the best songwriters in the industry – I jumped at it. It was a heartwarming and enriching year. And I was inspired and writing again – more than ever!

During my TSA year, my creative process changed. I found that I still wrote initially as I always have – an ‘outpouring’ basically, scribbling down lyrics and ideas, or playing and recording bits and pieces onto my phone, as the ideas form, into a basic song…. but then, I spent a lot longer crafting lyrics, arrangements, melody before finishing the songs, being reflective and as self-critical as I could about what I was saying or playing, and trying to trim the fat! I wrote about 20 songs over that year…. some better than others!

I picked these 4 tracks because they were all songs that I felt really connected to and loosely had a theme – of exploring relationships, and coming to terms with your life, decisions and feelings. I demoed the songs first, to get a feel for each track.

The production process was different to how I had worked previously – i.e.: turning up in Nashville with a load of songs and a guitar! These all started with just guitar and voice on Logic. I shared files with various players – drums were recorded by Aussie drummer JB Bennetts; Mo Pleasure, one of my wonderful mentors – recorded bass at his studio in Wales, the London Strings recorded their parts at their London base, and we recorded vocals, harmonies and piano here at my home studio…over several weeks. Then I sent everything to Thomm Jutz, in Nashville, who produced my last 4 CDs, who then recorded all the guitars and some extra parts, and mixed the tracks.

4. What drew you to collaborate with Auburn for this project? How did their involvement contribute to the EP’s overall sound and vision?

Auburn has always been about collaboration. Auburn is me and my long-term collaborators, at the core – and whoever we work with on any track – it’s a collective of my favourite musicians! Auburn’s style varies, but I hope has a connected sound, track to track, around the vocals and songs. I see all the diverse input as ‘colouring in’, to make a much more vibrant picture and sound. Everyone that plays or sings on a track adds their own unique contribution, and vision, evolving the finished sound.

5. Is there a particular song on the EP that holds special meaning to you? What’s the story behind it and why does it resonate with you?

You’re Beautiful – Its personal, inspired by someone very close, that I have watched become their authentic self recently – and it fills my heart with emotion and warmth. So many people feel they have to be someone or something else, as they are expected to be, or told to be, or obliged to be and some go their whole lives without saying “ enough – I have to be me” because it’s a huge risk and its terrifying, and isolating. This resonates with me because I have lived it, in some ways, myself, but It’s not about me or my feelings. It’s about you – whoever you are. Someone has to tell you that you’re beautiful, just being yourself.

6. How do you feel your music has evolved or progressed since your previous works? Have you incorporated any new elements or influences into this EP?

I feel my music has evolved from previous works as being involved in the production from the start I got to know the songs so much better, from the inside, having time to reflect and tweak if needed. I really enjoyed being part of the whole creative/production process.

I’ve been listening to loads of different and new music over the last year, and definitely hear influences from different genres in this EP. I absolutely loved working with Sanka on Sweet Dreams. Watching him spit lyrics in the studio, recording live. I think he’s so talented and relatable. We have another track in the can, for the next EP, and planning more collaborations. His lyrics worked so well for the track. It’s a strange mix – bluesy guitars, lo fi chillout and rap – but Thomm managed to make it all work together and I love it.

7. The EP is titled “Favourite Mistake.” Could you explain the concept behind the title and how it reflects the themes explored in the songs?

Its really about a recent realisation I had, that some relationships prove to be a mistake – with the benefit of hindsight. Sometimes, you can already see where its heading, but knowing the destination doesn’t mean you can’t have fun and enjoy the journey/mistake – with insight, instead of hindsight! But its kind of reflective, in advance!

It’s the title track because it sets the scene, in my mind anyway, for discussion about relationships in the other songs, wanting to support others; realising when you have been lied to; missing someone – all stuff we all have to deal with in life sometimes and often at the same time!

8. As a musician, what messages or emotions do you hope to convey through your music? How do you balance creating personal and relatable songs?

There isn’t a specific message, just a sharing of experiences and emotions. I try to convey the stories through the lyrics and music in a way that someone can connect with and relate to – to evoke feeling s of joy, love, memories, empathy – or just enjoy the vibe, sound, hum along with the tune, dance, or relax – whatever they feel like. I’m just happy if someone’s listening!
I write about things that evoke emotions in ME. It’s how I process my thoughts and feelings, and try to communicate!! I write a lot about other people’s lives too – when I relate to their experiences – so, I keep it personal when I’m writing, and trust it will resonate and be relatable for others too.

9. Were there any challenges or highlights during the making of this EP? How did you overcome any obstacles that came up?

The main challenges were my techie skills – or lack of them! Learning to use Logic was hard!! and recording parts myself. It was a learning curve for sure. I got through it because I had help from my TSA mentors and almost everyone who visited the studio! Poor Thomm, he must have been going mad. I tried to send the files over about 10 times before I finally managed it! He was very patient! I know how to do this now though, so next time it should be much quicker!

The highlights are too many to say! Hearing the London Strings, on You’re Beautiful, was a moment – made me cry; Hearing all of Thomms beautiful guitars (he just gets inside my head and picks up on all the little bits I love) and the final mixes was so fantastic; Working through the process with Mo Pleasure and Jeff Franzel and Stephen Allen Davis, Sie Medway- Smith, Andrew Rollins and the other TSA mentors – that was a whole load of highlights – and some challenges! Sanka in the studio – definitely a highlight moment……… and my daughter finally liking one of my songs, at last! I think that was the overall winner!

10. What are your plans for promoting the “Favourite Mistake” EP and engaging with your audience in the coming months? Can we expect any live performances or other exciting events related to the EP?

We’ve been promoting the release through social media, and Spotify etc. and been added to some cool playlists, which is great. We’re working on lyric videos for all the tracks – one is just about ready to go – so will be sharing those over the next few weeks; we have a few live shows, with the wonderful Auburn Acoustic, here in the UK, later in the year, when the second EP will be out digitally. There will also be some more videos to promote the 2nd EP – which I think is going to be called – ‘Sunshine’ – but don’t hold me to that title!! – before the end of 2023.

Then, if all goes smoothly, there will be a full band, live album launch – when the final tracks and the full album is released on vinyl – although we don’t have a date for that yet –we are aiming for early 2024.

Thanks so much for your questions x

Auburn will be playing some UK festivals summer 2023 – keep an eye on website and socials for info:  www.auburn.org.uk
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