Livvy Lauren Talks Collaboration With Maddox Jones On 'Another Sad Song'
'Another Sad Song' touches on themes of love, friendship, and resilience. How did your personal experiences shape the emotion and sincerity you brought to this track?
When myself and Maddox first met, we spoke a lot about the struggles in life that we both resonate and connect with - the main one being the music industry! Our careers have taken us on some crazy highs as well as some real lows, and although we are both so grateful that we get to do what we love every single day, being an artist also comes with so many barriers and struggles that you have to overcome. The feeling you get when you perform, and the feedback from fans when they hear your music is incredible and the high is like no other, however the anxiety pre release, and the feelings of “am I going to make it’ / “will this song be a hit” are also so prominent for the both of us. Although the song is massively personal for us as artists - it also relates to anyone who has felt a love for something in their lives.. and shows how they can cause you pain and pleasure but ultimately keep you going and pick you back up!
The duet is is incredibly powerful. How did you and Maddox find the balance between your vocal styles to create such a seamless performance?
Myself and Maddox are such different artists but I think because of this weird concoction of our vocals, it just worked!! In the studio we worked so hard perfecting getting the right sound and tone to come across in our voices so that it had power and emotional intensity to it. I am so focused whenever I am in the studio, and we laugh about it now because Maddox said I was so hard on him and strict about re-doing the adlibs 100X just to make sure we got them sounding the best that they possibly could. I couldn’t be prouder of the outcome.
You co-wrote the song alongside Maddox, Tim Gosden, and Becky Smith. What was the writing process like?
‘Another Sad Song’ was originally written by myself Tim and becky in the studio over a year ago, and it was a complete random one as we had 30 minutes left of our session after writing a dance number and decided to get deep and write a ballad!! The pre -chorus and chorus was formed here, but I knew after the session that the verses weren’t right. After meeting Maddox and knowing that I instantly wanted his vocals on the song to elevate it, we then made the verses fit us both as artists and wrote about the struggles of the music industry -which we both connected so quickly over.
Was there a specific moment during recording where you both knew you had found that perfect vocal blend, or was it more of an evolving process?
Due to the intensity of the song, and how emotional I wanted the vocals to come across in it - we wanted the adlibs to sound like they came from a natural place! We played the lead vocals, singing lines over them that just came to us!! Once we picked out the specific lines and melodies that just worked, we spent a lot of time making sure the tone and sound of our vocals were right to create the exact vibe we wanted.
Was there a specific moment during recording where you both knew you had found that perfect vocal blend, or was it more of an evolving process?
The duet is not another sad song, because it is actually meant to be uplifting for the listeners - stating that even when the times get tough, the things you love will pick you up and keep you going - we wont let them defeat us. It’s almost like tough love … it hurts but thats normal and you can’t sit and dwell on it, you have to keep going!
Could you share why this duet is not just 'another sad song'?
I would LOVE to do a female duet with someone like Jorja smith! R&B sexy smooth vocals!!
What is the key message of 'Another Sad Song?'
Another Sad Song exposes the truths behind the high’s and lows of the music industry - something that myself and Maddox instantly connected over. Although it is personal to us as artists, it also resonates with anyone who experiences the same feelings towards something or someone that they love. Although the lyrics come from a deep place, the song was created to uplift listeners, stating that when the times get tough, the things that you love will also pick up back up.. “we won’t be another sad song”. The honesty alongside the raw emotional vocals make this song the perfect power-ballad in my opinion.
Following this duet, are there any other releases on the horizon?
I have so many songs ready to go which I can’t wait to release!! I am hoping to drop a Drum n Bass song in January so keep your eyes peeled!! This one is going to go OFF!
Penelope Parker
Penelope Parker
