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Where do we start with the multi-talented Lily Brooks O'Briant? Aside from being an actress, writer and emerging musical mastermind, she's also a former baton twirler, longtime Swiftie (with a major soft spot for Joshua Bassett) and a lover of storytelling in all its forms. 

"I'm always telling some kind of story, whether it's through songwriting or acting or writing a script or writing poems and lyrics," she says. "That's kind of the basis of my passion. I've been doing it since I was very, very little."

Her first EP Too Good To Be True (out on August 25) def reflects Lily's dedication to keeping things raw and real. So far, the songs she's teased on her IG have a confessional, personal vibe—one that Lily was suuuper intentional in curating. She tells us all about her approach to songwriting, her country girl roots and her unstoppable powers of manifestation.

@lilybrooksobriant

Girls' Life: What's the story behind your debut EP, Too Good To Be True?

Lily: When I wrote these songs, I was going through my own emotional roller coaster of my first breakup. I found songwriting as a way for me to kind of put all of my emotions out there, whether it was pain or anger or sadness. I'm excited for people to use my songs as a way to escape their feelings or help them process.

GL: How would you describe the musical vibe of the EP?

Lily:  It’s kind of like a melting pot of a bunch of different genres that I enjoy listening to. When I write, I think of the lyrics first and then a melody will come to me afterwards. And who knows what genre that'll be! For this EP, it's definitely more pop and singer/songwriter. But there's sprinkles of country and R&B and folk. 

GL: Is there a song from "Too Good To Be True" that you're most excited for fans to hear?

Lily: One of the songs—called “Crash”—is a very country-esque song. I grew up listening to Taylor Swift's old music and Carrie Underwood and Dolly Parton and all of those iconic country music stars. There's always a little bit of country under what I'm writing because it's just what I came from.

GL: What advice would you give to readers who are also pursuing their artistic passions?

Lily: First, don't ever be afraid of what other people might think or say about what you're doing. And my second big piece of advice is that rejection is imminent. I went through about 400 'no's before I finally got a few people to say yes, I like you, you booked this role. Those ‘no’s are what make the eventual ‘yes’s so special. Never give up. It sounds so cliche, but it's so true.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Lily Brooks O'Briant (@lilybrooksobriant)

GL: You're performing at the Troubadour, the iconic West Hollywood concert venue, later this month! How pumped are you?

Lily: I'm half excited and half nervous. The way I like to look at it is: Nerves are just excitement, but in a more extreme way. Playing there was actually on my vision board this year. I was like, I'm gonna perform at the Troubadour this year. It's gonna happen. And it happened. I manifested it. 

GL: And what are you going to wear? Do you have a go-to onstage outfit?

Lily:  I always go for something sparkly because I like to stand out. And then I always love some good chunky white boots. That's like my go-to shoe because I can't perform in heels—they're too difficult.

GL: When you look to the future, what's your next goal in terms of your music career?

Lily: I'd love to open for an artist. I'd love to go on tour. And this year, I'm doing a little songwriting intensive, which is a fun thing that people should stay tuned for. My biggest thing is to get to write whenever I possibly can because that's just what I love so much.

Pre-Save "Too Good To Be True"—out August 25—right here! 

Heart this interview? Check out more exclusive celeb content:
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Images: @lilybrooksobriant

by Madelon Basil | 8/23/2023