Tuesday, July 14, 2015

EXCLUSIVE Musician Spotlight: Lily & Lanie of Maine

Teenagers Lily Muscatell and Lanie Reid of Lily and Lanie are Maine-based singers that have formed a country duo that sound amazing together. These two will be on the 31st of July at the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland, Maine.

According to Lily and Lanie, "We met in August 2014 at a summer music camp through our high school, John Bapst. A mutual friend introduced us and we instantly hit it off through our love and passion for country music. Within 20 minutes of knowing eachother, we learned our first song together. It was a cover of 'Something Bad' by Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. That day, we posted a video of our cover on social media where it was picked up by radio DJ, JR Mitchell, host of Country radio station Q106.5. A few days later we appeared live in the studio with JR Mitchell on the Q106.5 morning show to perform the song and  talk about our newly formed duo. The video of that performance gained over 12,000 views on YouTube. We received positive feedback from Mainers after our appearance on the morning show and we have been pursuing our music career together ever since. Our first national performance was on the Stage of America's Got Talent in New York in front of celebrity judges Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Melanie Brown, and Howie Mandel for season 10 of the hit summer television show. Positive feedback from that performance gave us the confidence to continue trying for the "big time". Since then we have performed at many venues in Maine including Darling's waterfront Pavalion at the Eric Church concert July 9th, 2015".

We recently interviewed Lily and Lanie on their music and lives. Here is what they had to say.

When did you two start singing as a duo? How did you two meet?
We started singin as a duo in August 2014 after we met at a summer music camp through our high school, John Bapst Memorial HS. Lily is now graduated and Lanie will be starting her sophomore year in the fall 2015. 

Was it your dream to be apart of a duo?
Neither of us ever imagined being part of a duo, it just happened. We quickly realized that it was meant to be and now we wouldn't have it any other way. We have become eachother's biggest support and best friend.

Tell us about your style of singing?
We sing country music! We cover old and new country songs as well as write our own music. We like to push the bounds of country music and produce a sound that has blue grass roots, but is new enough to be relatable to our generation. We believe that ANY song can be made into a country song. We often take popular main stream songs, such as Megan Trainor's "All About that Bass" and make a country version of it. Its kind of our thing.

Are there challenges pursuing a singing career in Maine and being normal teenagers?
We think it is challenging to pursue a music career no matter where you are because it is a an industry that is difficult to get in to. We have definitely managed to push through the challenges and balance being normal teenagers and going to school. Lily graduated high school in June this year.

Do your parents and friends support your singing?
110%! Our parents are the best. They come to all of our shows no matter how late or how far away, they are always there. Ever since Lanie and I have been singing together, our families have grown extremely close with one another.

Write any of your own songs?
Yes we write original music.

If so, tell us what goes into writing a great song?
The secret to writing a great song is life experience. Some people have a diary, but we have a song book. If one of us is going through a break up, a make up, or any other situation that creates a lot of emotion, you can bet we will be writing a song about it. Our latest song is called "Can't Change 'Em". Its a song about a toxic relationship between a good girl and a bad boy. Girls have the tendancy to go after the bad boys because we like to think we can be the one girl that can come along, make him fall in love, and change him. Our conclusion to that idea, and title of the song is you Cant Change 'Em! You can view the video of the song on our Facebook Page at Lily+Lanie or on YouTube.

Where was your first performance, were you excited?
Our first performance took place within about a month of knowing each other in front of our high school. We were nervous of what our classmates would hink of us, but we were very excited to perform for the first time as a duo.

How do you prepare your voices for a performance?
To prepare our voices for a show we drink lots of water, hot tea, olive oil, and do vocal exercises. Its important to prepare you're entire body for a performance, not just your voice. Get the blood pumping and do some low key exercises the day of a show.

Where do you two hope to perform in the future?
We hope to be performing on a national level in the future. That is our goal.

Who inspires your singing and songwriting?
There are many people who inspire our singing and song writing. We are inspired by all of the great artists in country music as we learn from everything they do. We love Sarah Evans, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Maddie and Tae. On a personal level we are inspired by our families and vocal coach Alfred McIntyre. He encourages us daily and has taught us that it is possible to accomplish our dreams no matter how big they are.

If you two could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be, why?
If we could perform any place in the world it would be at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville! Being invited to sing at the Grand Ole Opry is one of the biggest honors you can receive as a country artist. It is where all of the greats began and a place with endless country music history.
Any goals of what you two like to accomplish with your singing/songwriting?
Our goal is to spend our lives making music and sharing it with the world. Our dream would be to get into the country music industry on a national level and perform at the CMA's one day.

What three words best describe your music?
Three words that describe our music: Unplugged, Country, Bluegrass

Any advice for those wanting to start a career in singing and songwriting?
Our advice to anyone trying to start a music career is to enjoy small beginnings! You often have to start at 'A' and work your way up to 'Z'. It is important to love what you do and be willing to play for free when you get started. We all have to start somewhere!

Any other talents?
Other talents: We both hunt! It is our favorite thing to do in the fall. We both had a successful hunting season 2014 and each brought home a spike horn buck. We hope to do the same for hunting season 2015 as well as being in turkeys.

Passionate about any charities, if so, why?
We are both passionate about helping cancer patients. Lily lost her grandmother to cancer, and Lanie's mother is a breast cancer survivor! In 2014 Lily wrote a song called "Legacy" about the positive Legacy her grandmother left behind. She partnered with Leonard Middle School, who was also passionate about helping cancer patients, and had the song professionally recorded, sold the CDs, and all of the money went to Sarah's House in Holden, ME (A cancer hospitality house). The song "Legacy" by Lily Muscatell is avalible on iTunes and the funds continue to go to Sarah's house.

Is education important?
Education is extremely important to both of us.

You can follow Lily and Lanie on Facebook by clicking here

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