Occurring in her childhood home’s own backyard, the 21-year-old was profoundly affected by the senseless loss of life and the need for change. Liddy uses her medium as an artist to advocate for the youth of America, and she hopes to inspire others of all ages to act. She shared with us her inspiration as an artist and how it feels to continue to make an impact with her music.
Can you tell us a story about what led you to singing and writing songs?
I started singing when I was seven and had just moved from Texas to Florida with my family. My grandmother did a genealogy project where she found out that we were (very distantly) related to Pochahontas. This made me want to sing “Colors of the Wind” at my school’s talent show, and after that the rest is history. I started doing vocal lessons and musical theater and eventually wound up learning guitar and writing my own songs.
What has been the most interesting thing that has happened to you since you began your musical journey?
I feel like everything has been interesting so far, but the places I’ve been and the people I’ve met have definitely been the highlight. I’ve gotten to travel across the country to states I wouldn’t have been to normally and I got to meet some of my musical heroes (in particular, Garth Brooks. I met him backstage in the green room at the Country Music Hall of Fame, and he gave me advice before I performed).
Nothing is going to happen the way you expect it to, but it always works out for the best.
– Liddy Clark
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting and what lessons you took from it?
I think assuming that this was going to be easy would definitely be one of my funniest mistakes. However, I’m still doing this many many years later, so I’d say that I’ve learned a lot about patience from this.
How do you feel that your music is making a significant social impact?
I feel that my songs talk about very real things for me, and hopefully that impacts listeners in the same way that writing these songs impacted me. I think if someone is lucky enough to have a platform to influence social issues, it’s important to do so and speak up for what is right.
Your “Shot Down (Stand Up)” video has some pretty powerful visuals and messages, and it was recently awarded a Global Music Award. Congratulations on this achievement! When you wrote “Shot Down (Stand Up)” did you think the song would have this big of an impact?
Thank you! I’ve always hoped that it would make an impact, that was why I decided to release this song. I performed it for the Wear Orange event in Parkland first, and after seeing the audience’s reactions and talking to everyone I knew that I needed to put it out for the world to hear. I’m glad that it’s resonating with people and really making others question their world views, that was the goal of it.
How do you define “leadership” and how do you lead others through your artistry?
I think leadership is being able to bring people together over a collective idea. Being a leader in my community is something that’s always been important to me, so being able to bring people together over music is truly the best of both worlds. I want to make songs that inspire people and are timeless, so I try to write songs that create that and make me want to be a better person as well.
What are five things you wish someone told you when you got your start as a singer/songwriter?
1. You’re going to hear a lot of no’s. Someone definitely told me this, but I didn’t listen. I wish I would have paid more attention so I could have prepared myself for how difficult this is going to be.
2. It’s okay to have days when you’re uninspired. I would feel bad whenever I had off days, like I wasn’t working as hard as I should have been. However, you need to go through low moments in order to recognize the highs, and I’m thankful for the times I didn’t feel at my best.
3. Nothing is going to happen the way you expect it to, but it always works out for the best.
4. Don’t get yourself down too much when that happens.
5. Finish writing the song, even if you think it’s terrible you will learn so much from completing it.
If you could inspire a movement, what would it be?
I want to inspire people to stand up for injustices. Female empowerment, gun violence awareness, and pretty much any other movement going on in the country are issues that are of utmost importance to me.
Do you have a favorite “life lesson” quote? Can you share how it has been relevant to you in your life?
“Always offer help before you ask for help.” I think that’s so important in any relationship you have in the working world, and I try to live by it in my life.