Get to Know Me: LadyChild - Musical Notes Global

Brooklyn indie band LadyChild is lead by multi-talented singer and songwriter Genevieve Faivre.

LadyChild released their self-titled debut EP last March, a collection that serves as a “sonic soul search” for Faivre, as she puts it, revealing personal moments of her life story while weaving in delectable influences of pop, soul, indie-rock and jazz.

Today Genevieve continues Musical Notes Global’s Women’s History Month celebration with a Get to Know Me interview. We got the scoop on the EP, what Women’s History Month means to her, and more. Check out the full interview below.

For those of you who may not know me, I'm Ladychild.

Last year, I released my self-titled debut EP. Here's the scoop:
My debut EP was sort of a “coming out” project. Many people know me as a singer, but not so much a song-writer or composer. It is the first time I got to showcase what my music is, not only to an audience but to myself as well. It’s a five-song self-titled EP, some of which was written almost five years ago. There was something about these five pieces that I felt needed to be recorded and put out into the world.

Listen on all major platforms - Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, etc.

For me, the project represents Identity. Discovering who I am as a singer, a writer, and an artist. I’m still growing but I’m more confident in my sound than ever before and I’m ready to push myself further into what I’ve tapped into.

I find my greatest inspiration in daydreaming. I’m someone who loves to socialize, so it’s important for me to force myself to be introverted and internalize everything that’s going on around me. I’m often struck by inspiration while I’m sitting in a cab my way home after a gig (usually a little buzzed). I like being in my own head. I was a philosophy major in college so I love to think, and question, and debate even if it’s with myself. I am a firm believer in daydreaming and fantasizing. Smart-phone culture has invaded much of the time I would spend daydreaming. It distracts me from myself! You can never stop dreaming as human being; let alone as an artist.

I'm currently working on releasing a new single. I’ve had this song written for a couple of years now and it’s even been on the set list when I play live. I don’t always have the budget or content to go into the studio record and entire album, but you just know when a song feels ready to be projected into the world. I’m hoping I can get it out this summer but we’ll see!

One female artist who has influenced my work is Bjork. My answer is always Bjork because she never ceases to inspire me. Even if we don’t compare in terms of style and sound, I always turn to her work whenever I’m feeling doubtful. She gives me courage to take risks and not to worry about the mainstream. She is unapologetically herself 100% of the time. She’s a fantastic collaborator and director and I hope to be as confident in my art and my role as a leader as she is.

The first album I bought was Celine Dion’s Let’s Talk About Love because the Titanic, duhhh. My parents were the ones who I actually bought it for me because I was only 7 or 8. But I was obsessed with the “My Heart Will Go On” from the Titanic. Celine Dion is definitely one of my favorite singers ever and has played a huge role in my life in terms of vocal influence.

My favorite album by a female artist is Sound and Color by Alabama Shakes because it’s a beautifully crafted album lead by a powerhouse singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist and all around bad-ass woman, aka Brittany Howard, who doesn’t fit the mold in mainstream media, and yet still shot to mainstream success because of her pure, unadulterated talent. It’s only Alabama Shakes’ second album and it just goes to show that with a little opportunity and a little money, true talent can make a massive impact on the music scene. Brittany Howard is an inspiration to all women and her talents are on full display in Sound and Color.

When I'm not singing, you can find me most likely eating. I love food. Going out to eat or cooking an awesome meal is one of my favorite pastimes. I find cooking very relaxing when I have the time to do it. Unfortunately, performing is usually an evening event so I don’t get to cook as much as I’d like to. My boyfriend always says that my version of heaven would be an endless buffet. At first I was sort of offended by this (idk why? maybe food stigma?), but now I think he’s actually right.

As a woman in the music industry, I feel it's important to be a strong leader.
It’s probably the hardest part of what I do. Sometimes I’m not completely sure of a situation and I hesitate to direct my fellow musicians, but even when I do know what I want I still hesitate with my own opinions to ensure everyone is happy. This can often compromise my artistic vision. It’s definitely an important skill to be able to collaborate and take advice, but at the end of the day it’s my call and my music. I have to be confident in the direction I’m leading my colleagues.

Here's my advice to aspiring female singers and songwriters:

Stand up for yourself and take no prisoners! This goes off my answer to the previous question. I often find myself taking the backseat to some of the male musicians I work with. I don’t know if it’s because I’m young or because I’m a woman (probably both), but older male musicians dismiss my advice all the time. I can get way too anxious trying not to step on people’s toes. Some of its my own fault for not advocating for myself enough, but sometimes I get scolded or mocked even when I try putting my two cents in. I’m still working on it, but the longer I work in this business, the more fed-up I am with not being taken seriously. It almost forces you to go into “bitch” mode, but who cares. Be the bitch you need to be to get the results you want for your art. In the end, the most important thing is if you’re happy with what you’ve created.

Women's History Month means more and more to me every year. I am privileged enough to not have suffered on the same scale some of my fellow sisters have suffered. I am reminded almost every day that things could be better for women even in 2019. From being harassed on the street by random men, to equal pay for equal work, to hating our bodies while we get ready, we need to change what is accepted as the status quo in society. It’s important to recognize Women’s History Month not only as a time where we reflect on the hardships of the past, but also as a time where we reflect on the present and how we can continue the fight.