Ezliyah (pronounced ez-lee-yuh) is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumental performer. Her artistry is defined by transformation: after nearly a decade of formal training in classical opera and study at the Mannes School of Music in NYC, she pivoted to songwriting, finding her authentic voice at Berklee College of Music. Her work is driven by the conviction that music can be a catalyst for social consciousness, with lyrics chronicling a compelling journey of self-love and discovery. Following the acclaimed June release of her debut EP, Waitful Meeting, she is currently building her interdisciplinary live performance practice and promoting her latest single, “So Convincing.”
With “So Convincing” out now, we took some time to hear from Ezliyah. Read below to learn more about Ezliyah, the story behind “So Convincing,” and what’s to come.
Hi Ezliyah! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
Hi! I actually created my artist name back in college. It’s a blend of my full birth name. I wanted it to be symbiotic with my first name, so it has the same number of letters and syllables, and it sounds alike phonetically too. Very meta, I know, but it was important to me!
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I’m from Houston, Texas, and I’m currently based here as well.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I was singing from as early as I can remember, but I began taking my first formal lessons in piano at age 9, and soon after, in voice. Interestingly, I never thought of music as something I needed to “pursue” as a career growing up. It was around middle school that I truly developed a vocation to music and knew that it was my calling and life’s purpose.
How has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound?
A huge role. Music was always playing in my house or in the car. While no one in my family was a musician, everyone was a music enthusiast. My dad played funk and groove guys like Prince and Parliament-Funkadelic, while my mom loved smooth soul and R&B artists like Anita Baker and Sade. I also got into ’10s Hip-hop from my brother and listened to all the Billboard pop girls, all while formally studying and performing classical work. Every corner of the music I consumed helped me build the musical language that informs what I create now.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
My sound is an atmospheric convergence of R&B’s soulful grit and folk’s poignant lyricism. It’s driven by the distinctive pairing of my voice and intricate acoustic arrangements, essentially bridging the majestic beauty of the classical world with contemporary intimacy.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I do! Since so much of music is an auditory process, I love hobbies that allow me to be creative visually. I enjoy hand embroidery and digital surrealist collaging. I even recently got into an alternative print-making style called chemigram—it was so fun!
Who are some of your main musical influences?
The north star of my influence today has been powerhouse female singer-songwriter-producers like Madison Cunningham, Adrianne Lenker, and Lianne La Havas. Each inspires me in very different ways, but they all carry a resounding truth to their work that I consider to be timeless and unlike anyone else today.
What song would be in the soundtrack of your life?
“Who Knows Where the Time Goes (Live)” by Sandy Denny in the performance of Nina Simone.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
Playing upstairs at the House of Blues Houston. I remember the first concert I ever attended at HoB was in high school, and I only dreamed of getting to play that venue. To have had the chance to play it not just once but twice was truly surreal.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
One that I keep in my heart always is a lesson I was told by my mentor, Paula Cole, during my time at Berklee: that “leaving a legacy of love behind is the ultimate goal of a lifetime.” Another that is a daily practice is to play the “long game.” Making decisions slowly and with intent will ensure you make wise choices in life.
Now onto your release, “So Convincing.” What inspired this song? What is “So Convincing” about?
The song is about my time as an 18-year-old college student studying in NYC. I constantly felt like I didn’t belong, trying to convince myself I was okay, but really, I was just trying to survive each week. I wanted the song to express the internal conflict between projecting happiness and the difficult truth of losing yourself along the way.
What was the creative process like when making “So Convincing?”
I worked virtually with Recording Academy member Barbra Schucko a.k.a Babia, who composed, produced, and mixed the track. We approached the creative process like a dance performance. We first got a sense of the story, then started the production plan by exploring musical style, rhythm, and elements—I think we went through 3 or 4 rounds of this! Then, it was a dance of sending basic tracking and overdub stems across Los Angeles and Houston. Once we felt good about it, we sent the final mix to industry veteran Ryan Kelly (Beyoncé, Slash, John Legend, & The Roots), who mastered it at his studio in New Jersey.
How long did it take to complete “So Convincing?”
From the initial meeting to the final master, it took about six months.
How did the music video for “So Convincing” come about? What was your vision for the video?
I knew I wanted visuals for this project and had the idea of working with a cinematic film director well before the song was even finished. A few weeks out from shooting, I made a vision board that pictured dark studio sets, shadow silhouettes, and overhead shots. But all the rest of the creative direction and inspiration came from what we had in the studio that day. I had the best team! Shout out to Derrell and Whitney at THEORY STUDIOS!
What is your favorite lyric in “So Convincing” and why?
In the bridge, I repeat, “face to face, can I look you in the eye?.” It’s my favorite because this line questions so much: Whose eyes are you looking into—yourself or someone else’s? When you finally look at them, how do you feel? When you’re faced with truth and perception, who will win?
What message or messages do you hope fans take away from “So Convincing” and your music in general?
“So Convincing” is just a thread in the tapestry of work that I choose to share with the world. Each story is tender and every message is thought-provoking, but ultimately, I hope my music can be a catalyst for something—be it social/emotional consciousness, self-love/discovery, or simply just healing.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
I have a few singles I’ll be rolling out in the winter months , but next up is album writing. Back in the studio I go!
Where can we follow you on social media?
Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/ezliyah
Tiktok @ https://www.tiktok.com/@ezliyah
YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/@Ezliyah
Bandcamp @ https://ezliyah.bandcamp.com
Website @ https://ezliyah.com
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
