Libianca FAULT Magazine Covershoot and Interview

Libianca X FAULT Magazine

Words: Miles Holder

What a year it’s been for Libianca, just once year since her track ‘People’ took social media and subsequently the world by storm and changed her creative journey forever. After a string of collaborations with the likes of Becky G and FAULT alumn Ayra Starr, Libianca’s single Jah once more cemented the artist as one to watch for the future. Today Libianca returns with her debut EP ‘WALK AWAY’ – a project filled with emotional songwriting, hypnotising vocals and more of what fans have come to love about the artist. We caught up with Libianca to discuss the EP, her musical journey and of course, her FAULTs.

What would you say was the overarching message you want to convey with this EP release?

The last twelve months have been such a journey, and I felt that it was time to give this project to the world. ‘Walk Away’ is about acceptance, healing, love, anger, and much more. I think the message will be different for everyone and is open to interpretation, so however it resonates with the listeners, it does.

Your track ‘angeldemon’ has a very powerful narrative behind the lyrics, does it ever feel emotionally taxing to pour so much of yourself into your music?

It does feel painful and draining to do so because now that I do music for a living, which is a blessing, it feels like I have to keep pulling from the deepest parts of myself to create. I’m learning that it doesn’t have to be deep all the time. And it doesn’t have to be painful all the time either.

Can you describe the writing process behind ‘In A Way’ and where your headspace went when recording it?

The lyrics say it all. ‘In A Way’ is about releasing the anger and everything else that comes with betrayal and saying, “You know what? It’s okay. I learned a few things for myself, and it was all a blessing in disguise.”

Do you feel the success of ‘People’ has added pressure to match its success with your subsequent releases, and if so, how do you combat that feeling?

I’m at a place where I’m redefining the meaning of success and what that looks like for me. I used to think it was winning all the awards and having hit after hit, but real success is being myself, being raw – even when I’m putting myself in the lion’s den for people to criticize, love, hate, etc. As long as I stay true to myself and respect my creations, I’m successful.

Looking back on your musical journey, what’s been the most challenging hurdle you’ve had to overcome to take your creativity to a new level?

The most difficult part of my journey so far has been fighting others to prove why my music should be released or why I even like it. I’ve never had to deal with that in my whole life; I’ve always had just myself and my love for what I do. It’s been frustrating, but I’ve been fighting for myself every step of the way.

The music industry can move so quickly; what helps you maintain calm when things become too much?

I stay away from the music industry to keep my peace. It’s like an overload of all the things that can destroy the uniqueness of a creative person. So I only engage when I need to.

What are you most looking forward to this winter?

I can’t wait to work. To push this project, perform and enjoy every bit of it by being present.

What’s one aspect of your musicality you’re hoping to explore more in future projects?

Everything I know so far, I’ve done. And now it’s all about falling in love again and reigniting the spark I had as a kid writing songs every day. I just don’t want it to feel like a job, you know.

What is your FAULT?

My personal flaw is how I can suppress emotions without knowing and then explode like a can of pop later, and it feels like it won’t stop.