Liv Dawn's "Home" Shines in New Release and Candid Interview About Family, Music, and Growth
- STAFF
- Aug 13
- 8 min read
By: Staff
“Home” is a breathtaking testament to Liv Dawn's artistry—emotive, heartfelt, and utterly captivating.
Scottish singer-songwriter Liv Dawn is back with a stunning new release that promises to capture hearts and stir emotions. Her latest single, "Home," takes listeners on a deeply personal journey through the essence of family, nostalgia, and the memories that shape us. With a delicate fusion of folk, pop, and soft rock, Home introduces a fresh evolution in Liv's sound, one that brims with warmth, gratitude, and heartfelt emotion.
We spoke with Liv about the inspiration behind the track, her unique songwriting process, and how this deeply introspective piece reflects her growth as both an artist and a person. From the delicate balance of personal memories and universal emotions to the role of her bandmates in bringing the song's emotional depth to life, Liv opened up about what truly drives her creative process.
But that’s not all, Liv also shared how her roots in the Scottish music scene continue to shape her sound, and what fans can expect from her upcoming EP. As she prepares for a summer of live performances, the journey through"Home" marks a significant new chapter in her career.
So, what’s next for Liv Dawn? Keep reading to find out.
Begin Interview:
Hello Liv Dawn, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. The song's blend of folk, pop, and soft rock influences creates a unique sound. How did you decide to mix these genres for Home, and how does that sound represent where you are as an artist right now?
A: It honestly came together really naturally. 'Home' started out with just myself and acoustic guitar, but the sound started to grow when I brought it to my band during rehearsals. We played around with different layers and textures and it developed from there. When we got to the studio, it felt right to build it into something bigger, especially in the final section with all the guitars, harmonies, and drums woven together.
Q. The lyrics of Home are deeply emotive. How do you approach writing such personal lyrics, and what role do emotions play in your songwriting process?
A. It felt quite easy to write 'Home' as I opened up about my family and all the little moments that shaped me growing up. I wanted the song to be a thank you to them for always supporting me and my dreams. I used a lot of direct imagery to make it feel as real and personal as possible; like the house I grew up in, spending time with my parents and brother, places we used to visit. It was all about capturing those memories and expressing my gratitude - it is a really special song to me!
Q. Since “Home” holds a lot of emotional weight for you. How did your bandmates—Aidan Smith, Chris Gilday, and Calum Macleod—contribute to bringing that emotional depth to life in the recording?
A. My band members - Aidan, Chris, and Calum - understand that I am an emotional person, and that naturally comes through in my music, especially with 'Home', since it is such a personal song for me. They were amazing at supporting that in the recording by keeping the instrumentation gentle so my vocals and the story could really shine. Then, in the final section, they helped build it into something powerful and uplifting.
Q. You’ve mentioned that “Home” is also a way of saying thank you to your family. How has their support influenced your evolution as both an artist and a person over the years?
A. I am really lucky to have such a supportive and loving family. This has allowed me to grow and enjoy my journey with music. They have always encouraged me to chase my dreams - listening to me practicing for hours on end, being there for me when I am finding the industry tough, coming along to almost every gig, and being my biggest fans.
Q. You’ve had strong support from BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal. How has the reception from the Scottish music scene shaped your career, and what role does your cultural background play in your music?
A. Receiving support from BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal has massively progressed my career. I have continued to receive airplay on BBC Radio Scotland since becoming a finalist in their Singer-Songwriter of the Year Award, and I am always grateful for their support. They provide such an important platform for emerging artists and Scottish music!
Q. Performing at major festivals like Skye Live, Belladrum, and Celtic Connections must have been exciting. How do you approach festival performances differently than intimate shows, and what’s the biggest takeaway from playing these events?
A. Festivals and intimate gigs are both amazing in their own ways - I just try to enjoy every moment! I love bringing high energy to festivals and having fun on stage, but there is something really special about smaller shows too, where I can connect more directly with people and share the meaning behind my songs.
Q. Home is part of your upcoming EP. What can fans expect from the rest of the EP in terms of themes, sound, and the overall direction of your music?
A. This new EP feels like a new direction for me. The sound is much bigger and more layered. It is still rooted in storytelling but draws folk, pop, country and soft-rock influences. The EP was recorded with full band production and instrumentation, which has brought a new energy to everything. I am really excited for people to hear it!
Q. After discovering your voice, what was the turning point when you transitioned from music being more of a hobby or side project to sharing it with a worldwide audience, setting the stage for the powerful and viable career we’re witnessing now?
A. It really started after I left school when I began writing my own songs. I then started going to open mic nights in Glasgow to perform my songs. I used to be really scared to sing in front of people, but attending open mics helped to grow my confidence. The more I played, the more confident I felt, and I started to get a buzz from performing. Being on stage gave me a sense of belonging and I knew I had to keep going with it.
Q. Can you tell us how you landed on the title of Home? Was it the first choice, or did it evolve during the writing process?
A. The title 'Home' just felt right from the start, especially with the main lyrics in the chorus being 'you are my home'. I liked the idea of home not just being a place but a feeling, and for me, that feeling comes from my family.
Q. We love your authentic and gentle caring style. Your sound is really unique, and it’s clear you’ve cultivated something distinct. Was this particular musical style something you’ve always embraced from the very beginning of your journey, or has it evolved over time from influences or other genres you experimented with earlier?
A. I think that my songwriting has always been rooted in folk, but I grew up listening to pop, country and rock music. I still write most of my songs with just me and my acoustic guitar, however, my influences, vocal style, and production choices have evolved and grown with me. I feel like I have found my sound now, and a big part of that is thanks to my band - they have introduced me to different styles and new ways of thinking about music. My songwriting has also developed through growing up and different experiences. I believe that experimenting and trying new things is all part of the process.
Q. Where does the magic of your music production begin? Do you kick things off in your home studio, or do you team up with an outside producer? And when it's time to wrap things up, do you handle the mixing and mastering yourself, or bring in someone to help perfect it?
A. For my upcoming EP, we recorded it at Chem19 Recording Studio in Glasgow, where it was also mixed and mastered. For previous projects, I have recorded in a DIY setup from home and only went into a studio to track drums or vocals. This new EP is the first time I have recorded a full project in a studio and it was incredible to witness the songs come to life. The days were long but so worth it! My band and I were able to develop parts and layers within the songs while in the studio, which was a really fun process.
Q. Do you find yourself needing to push back against trends to stay true to your sound, or do you feel like the current state of music encourages innovation?
A. There is definitely a lot of pressure to keep up with trends on social media. I try to stay aware of what is going on and what is new, but I aim to stick to what feels true to me. As an independent artist, there is already so much to juggle, so I focus on sharing what I enjoy and what represents me. I think it is good to find a balance between following trends and staying authentic.
Q. Many artists hit a few walls along the way. Have there been times you questioned continuing with music? What helped you stay committed to your path?
A. I have definitely hit a few walls along the way. Pursuing music is incredibly rewarding and I am very grateful that I am able to chase my dreams, however the industry can be really tough, especially as an independent artist. There have been many moments where I have questioned myself, wondering things like 'am I good enough?' or 'will I ever make it?' And like most musicians, I have dealt with a huge amount of rejection. However, those hard moments have also made me stronger. I have learned how important it is to believe in yourself, stay driven, and celebrate all of the achievements along the way. I am really lucky to have a close circle of people who always encourage me to keep going, and connecting with fellow artists has also been a huge help. I just love music too much to give up!
Q. Outside of music, who or what has had the biggest influence on your personal growth or artistic perspective?
A. My family and friends have played such a huge role in who I am today, both personally and creatively. But I have also been shaped by life’s experiences - the highs and lows, relationships, growing up, navigating change, it all feeds into how I see the world and how I write. I have always tried to stay open to learning and growing, and I think that is reflected in my music.
Q. And finally, what’s next? Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We'd love to be the first to share the news!
A. My new EP will be coming out this autumn and I cannot wait for it to be out in the world! I am very proud of this EP and it marks a new chapter. My next single 'Written In The Stars' is out at the end of August, and there may be a really cool music video being released alongside it ... I will also be continuing my current summer tour into the autumn, with upcoming full band shows in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London.
Liv Dawn, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Liv Dawn’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
