Website/Social Media Links:
livhatfieldmusic.com
Youtube: @livhatfield_music
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561113336243
TikTok: @livhatfieldmusic
Instagram: livhatfieldmusic

Please introduce yourself.

I’m Liv Hatfield. I just turned 15 years old and I’m a freshman in high school. I live in Illinois with my parents, my little sister, Ivy and my 4 dogs, Finley, Edison, Ruby and Lola. I’m a rising singer, songwriter and musician. I have always loved music and about a year ago I started working with my producer, David Norris, in Nashville and recently released my first single “When I Fly.” In addition to my passion for music, I love playing volleyball – I play in school and club as an outsider hitter.

Tell us about your newest project and single “When I Fly.” What was the inspiration behind it and where can we check it out?

“When I Fly” is the first song I worked on in Nashville. I went down to Nashville with my mom for a writing session with my producer, David Norris and another very talented writer, Corey Lee Barker. We didn’t really know what to expect, but I remember telling David I wanted to write something inspirational. He started strumming on the guitar and Corey started coming up with lyrics and in about 2 hours, we had “When I Fly.” My head was spinning, but in such a great way because we knew we had a really great song.

Although we didn’t intend to write a song about overcoming obstacles in my personal life, once “When I Fly” was written, it held a greater significance for me because at 2 years old, I was having difficulty learning to talk and soon began having seizures. After several trips to the hospital, a medical brain condition was discovered. The doctors didn’t know how this might affect my development, so they told my parents that I only had a 50% chance of being able to speak. Thankfully, with medication and therapy, the seizures stopped, and I began talking and singing around the house. Now I have this budding career as a singer, which is just such a miracle to me. “When I Fly” feels like it’s about that time in my life when the odds were stacked against me but I beat them. I hope when people listen to this song, they feel like they can overcome the odds as well.

How would you describe your music?

The songs I am releasing and the ones on my upcoming EP are mainstream country/pop. I feel like they have a vintage Kelly Clarkson sound and maybe a little Megan Moroney mixed in with it.

How did you get started?

I’ve always loved music and singing. My first performance was in preschool. I sang “Happy Birthday Jesus” for our Christmas program. In third grade, my parents put me in voice lessons. We added ukulele lessons in 4th grade, that turned into guitar lessons in 5th grade, and started doing local open mics in 6th grade. I met Nashville recording artist Annie Vander at one of the open mics and we became fans of each other. She introduced me to her Nashville producer, David Norris and her Nashville publicist, Nicole Zeller at Brickshore Media.

Who are your biggest musical influences? Do you have any other influences?

I have quite a few musical influences. I really love Taylor Swift. I think she’s a great artist and I admire her songwriting. She’s so vulnerable and such a great storyteller. She also seems to be able to navigate the business of music very well. I relate to Olivia Rodrigo because her songs are about the things that girls my age are going through. I also like artists like Adele, Stevie Knicks and Kelly Clarkson because I feel like their vocal style is most similar to mine so I tend to do a lot of covers of their songs. My first favorite song when I was like 4 years old was “Heartbeat Song” by Kelly Clarkson, so I feel like that set the course for my musical career.

As for personal influences, I love and respect my music teachers Kelly Porretta, Jordan Bumgarner and Mary Hunt LeCuyer at YPAC in Yorkville, Illinois. They are so talented and so supportive and have really shaped me as a musician. Annie Vander and David Norris are just amazing and talented humans and have really taken me under their wing and folks I really look up to. Of course, my parents as they are always there for me and support all that I do in school, volleyball and music.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

That’s a tough one. I’m so new to the business that I’m not sure what I would change. So far, I’ve had only positive experiences so I wouldn’t change anything as of now.

What sets you apart from other artists in your genre?

I think my age sets me apart of other artists. I have a mature voice and a lot of performance confidence. After I get off stage and people learn that I’m just 15, they usually have a big reaction of disbelief.

What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?

I’m passionate about writing songs that make people feel things. I love a good story and great lyrics. I really love performing, especially singing songs that touch people. I performed at the Sugar Grove Corn Boil, which is our local festival here last summer and there was a young girl who made her way to the fence right in front of the stage and was dancing and singing along and just having a great time. I just loved that. Bringing joy to people through music!

What’s next for you?

I do have a whole EP recorded and will be releasing more singles and then the EP over the next 9 months. I play a lot of local open mics and gigs up here in Illinois and my team and I are working to get some live performances booked in Nashville soon. Beyond that, I’ve got more song ideas swirling around in my head and hope to be back in the writing room soon too.

What are your career goals in the next five years?

I’d like to continue writing and releasing music, hopefully another EP after this one. I’d like to keep performing both locally in Illinois and around the country. I’m hoping to attend Belmont University in Nashville after high school so I can just keep making great music and learn even more about the industry!