Tipped as one-to-watch for 2025, rising star Livvy Lauren discusses collaborating with Maddox Jones, the message behind the emotive pop duet, and joining the artist on UK tour dates opening for British legend Will Young.
Hi Livvy, congratulations on your brand new duet alongside Maddox Jones, ‘Another Sad Song.’ How did the collaboration originally come about?
Thank you so much! This song is so special to me as it comes from a super deep place, but it feels so lovely to be able to expose more of a raw and emotional side of myself. Myself and Maddox met through Radikal Records when a collaboration regarding another song was suggested. After working on it for some time, I didn’t really feel like it was working for me as an artist so I suggested trying something else out! – I had written the pre-chorus and chorus of the song about a year ago and knew I needed the right person to work on the track with to complete it. After hearing Maddox’s vocals I knew instantly that his voice would shine through on this song and really elevate it emotionally. We both jumped on a zoom call, and 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, which linked so well with the chorus of this song! We both instantly knew that this song would be perfect to release together as a power-ballad duet, so we booked the studio at Soho House and had is much fun creating the beautiful harmonies and adlibs that make this song what it is.
What is the inspiration behind ‘Another Sad Song’, both lyrically and musically?
The inspiration behind the song is our mutual feeling towards the industry that we’re both in! We are both so grateful that we get to do what we love every single day, but 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. Essentially the lyrics are about how the people and things that we love in life cause your both pleasure and pain – but because you love them, they also keep you going and pick you back up.
How did you aim to deliver the song’s message of resilience, and do you think this will resonate broadly with listeners?
I think the emotional melodies and beautifully powerful harmonies and adlibs really elevate the single and make it emotional as well as uplifting for listeners. The song allows itself to connect with anyone that has ever felt love towards something before.
The music video is laid-back yet heartwarming, showcasing the chemistry of your vocal collaboration. Could you share any fond memories from the filming process?
The filming process was so easy and relaxed which is exactly what we were hoping for. We wanted to show honestly and a sense of normal life within the video, as this is what the song is all about! We found this perfect studio space which had a sofa, kitchen & piano and just looked like it was the inside of somebodies home. We made sure that the video didn’t look overthought or choreographed.. almost like someone was just filming us without realising, doing the basic day to day things like chilling on the sofa and making cups of tea. After we filming the visuliser, we went straight next door and got a glass of wine and pizza to just chill and have a laugh. This is what being an artist is all about – building genuine friendships with the people you work with, mixing work with pleasure!
In light of the release, you’re hitting the road with the legendary Will Young on numerous UK tour dates. What was your initial response to joining the lineup alongside Maddox Jones?
I am so so excited to be joining Maddox Jones on the Will Young tour! I feel like the audiences who love Will Young will instantly connect with our duet and hopefully go home remembering the power of our performance!! I can’t wait to get back on stage doing what I love and singing live! I am sure it will be an experience I will never forget.
Do you have any personal favourite musical duets you took inspiration from?
Oh my god yes – Pink and Rag’n’ Bone Man’s duet is insane – called “Anywhere Away From Here”. This definitely inspired the vocals behind this track and how we wanted our voices to sound.
You’ve noted Tate McRae and Doja Cat influence your dynamic stage presence – What can the audience expect from your live performance?
I have such a high energy when it comes to performing, I love to dance and move about the stage, really hyping up the crowds and delivering an unforgettable performance that uplifts people and makes them want to party! With Another Sad Song, it will be such a change in stage presence for me, I hope to engage people in a different way, allowing them to really hone in on the lyrics and raw emotions behind the song.
This is your second release, following the electrifying debut ‘Felt Love.’ As 2024 comes to a close, what are you working on next?
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!
Thanks for sharing.