Today we’d like to introduce you to Lily Rapoza.
Hi Lily, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
At 8 years old, I fell very ill out of the blue. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, and had to drop out of school and sports as I lost weight rapidly. My early teen years were secluded, lonely, and confusing. I turned to music, songwriting, harmonizing with the radio, and writing poetry as my outlet to express my emotions and experiences. I’ve been writing songs for 17 years, and it has become a fundamental part of how I experience life. In college, I excelled in songwriting classes, but felt helpless as to put them out into the world. Adding on an audio engineering major was the best decision I’ve made as an adult. I experienced academic euphoria for the first time, made incredibly talented friends and connections, and built a solid foundation for myself. After two years in my hometown of Cape Cod, I’ve recently moved back to Nashville to pursue authentic music in all of it’s forms.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t all been smooth. My illness has been a muse, a crutch, and an obstacle. It caused me to graduate college a year later than planned, and limited the amount of time I could spend working intensely. I’ve had to redefine my definition of success several times as the music industry continues to become oversaturated and more about money than music. Right now, my definition is this; release good music. It’s always subjective of course, but I aim to make music authentic to my perception of good art.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a producer, audio engineer, songwriter, and artist. In the past two years I’ve founded Songbird Collective, a cozy acoustic live music company, and put on 33 shows in my hometown on Cape Cod. The company has been passed on to friends of mine since my move back down to Nashville, and I’m super excited to watch it grow. I also have experience building studios for clients, teaching Pro Tools and Logic basics, and teaching songwriting. I’ve given speeches about my journey in schools, and am so excited to be a part of the next generation of movers and shakers.
I’m most proud of my songs themselves. My lyrics are intimate and unexpected while remaining relatable, my melodies are soaring and strange, and the chords behind it all are perfectly crafted. There are so many ways to make good music, and I’m so grateful to have discovered mine.
My songs and my history set me apart from others. I’ve lived through a lot of strange, harrowing, and cathartic experiences for someone my age, which is naturally reflected in my music. Everyone has a story, and mine is what makes me unique.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to trust the universe, and follow where it leads. Learn and rest and learn again.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilyrapozamusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BpXzUThHo
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lilyrapozamusic
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5N8gNXtQC1VRChSaFtsigl
