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Leaping out of an airplane into the wide-open skies of Oregon was the power move that triggered freedom for indie soul music’s Liv Warfield. This time, the former track athlete wasn’t running, but rather soaring on the natural high she encountered that afternoon while gliding back to earth. Warfield’s first-ever skydiving feat would represent her life in the months to come—symbolizing the big jump into nothing and everything…nothing sure or concrete at the time, yet everything she’d always lived in her dreams: music.
Liv Warfield recently introduced VERTICAL FIX to the memories of when this soul recording artist hadn’t yet sung one note. “No one in Peoria even knew I could sing,” says Warfield, who moved from her native Illinois to Oregon to pursue a track scholarship at Portland State University. “I was a gymnast for 14 years then I did track for 8 years,” she recalls. “Being an athlete was something that was a part of me; it’s what I knew.” But what her family didn’t know was that once Warfield left home, she would trade in the promise of athleticism for unconventional musical endeavors.
Liv's Music Equation
While she reminisces on the old days, it’s hard for me to even fathom that Liv Warfield is relatively new to the music game—especially after listening to her debut CD “Embrace Me,” which was released in September 2006 but is still stirring in a quiet giant kind of way. Warfield invited jazz, hip hop and R&B into a room, examined their abilities, tendencies and interactions, interjected a hefty portion of authentic Warfield artistry, and emerged with her very own innovation of nu-soul firepower. VERTICAL FIX choice tracks are "Groove DJ," "Work for Me," "ABC's," and "Sophisticated Sista."
There’s something irresistible about the Liv Warfield equation, and it rises above her gifted songwriting, engaging delivery and longevity appeal. Warfield’s vocals of grit and silk naturally become one with the lyrics she writes and sings. And her contemporary, yet vintage sound and style pair up perfectly with standout musicians and instrumentation. But I think the real electricity of Liv Warfield surfaces in the way she seamlessly transmits a force of love directly from her heart and into a listener’s soul; it’s in the heat of her passion for this universal language, and in the boldness of her humility when she’s not even singing; sparks fly from her strength to abandon a definite thing and cling to the unknown, and from her determination to kick fear in the butt and never turn back…no matter what…
Liv, tell me about the skydiving…how was it?
When I first moved to Portland, I was by myself, and in the first week, I called up a skydive place. I didn’t know anybody. I drove myself out in the middle of nowhere. I was just telling a friend that I was driving (to the place), not realizing how big this is and how most people would kind of lose it (she laughs). But it was amazing. I think at that time I just wanted to do something that woke me up. It was scary at first; I called this place and they told me I can actually jump by myself the first time. So they sent me a packet to read, and I thought, “oh yea, I’ll read the packet, it will be fine, I’ll do it by myself.” As soon as I got there, I saw the video, and I said, “oh no, I’m not doing this by myself, I’m not pulling that chord by myself, no way.” But I told myself that I wasn’t going to turn around. That’s one thing about me; I won’t give up no matter what. I wasn’t going to travel all that way just to turn around and go back home. When I jumped out of that plane, of course I thought, “Jesus, what am I doing?” But at the same time, it was this release. It was like, “Oh my God, if I can do this, I can do anything.” It’s crazy…I got up in the morning, not phased, drove myself to the place, sat there all day waited for the clouds to clear because the weather was bad…then the clouds finally cleared…just thinking about it all right now, (she laughs) I’m like, ”Olivia, you are a nut case.” But I’m glad I did it, though, because it really helped me carry on within my life to just go after something that you know you want. Don’t be afraid to do it. Like my mom always says, “You only have what you have for today. It’s not coming back again.” I lived in that moment.
Where were you when you decided to shift gears and seriously pursue music?
I was working as a researcher for the university at the time. I was online looking for gigs when I was supposed to be doing work stuff. I think I was trying to do American Idol at the time…anything...I wanted any way possible to get someone, somewhere, to hear me sing. At that moment, I realized [my current way of life] wasn’t for me. But traditionally, my family wasn’t expecting me to just drop a good job and a good life. I had all that. I knew after I [made the change], the struggle was about to begin, but I had to do it because I wasn’t happy. And my job and my work suffered because my concentration wasn’t there. I was going to the clubs late to hear other artists sing…up until 3 or 4 in the morning, and had to be to work at 8…that just wasn’t happenin’ no more. I finally answered my calling.
Fast forward to today. When I listen to “Embrace Me” I feel a strong self-love vibe coming from some of these songs. And not in an arrogant way, but it’s more like an inward assuredness that you want listeners to catch for themselves. What kind of feedback have you been getting from listeners and fans?
Well first, I’m very amazed at your take on [this CD project]. I love it, because you’re the only person that’s actually gotten it. I mean, that’s exactly what it is; you understand.
Wow, tell me more about it; how has it been going?
The record means a lot for a lot of people. It’s been getting great response. We decided to push it one more year because it hadn’t gotten the listening pleasure it deserved, so finally it’s starting to get some buzz, and it’s doing really well right now. But I wrote the record in two different phases. One was for me…I had to learn to love myself and the only way I figured I would be able to do that is if I wrote about things to coach myself into being the woman that I should be. The other reason was because I was going through a lot of bad troubling relationships in my life that honestly could have shut down my music career. I was thinking from the perspective of a young woman. I was just trying to be that voice of a young lady…like, I’m really not the kind of person to go off on somebody, it takes a lot to tick me off, but if I was talking to that guy, and I did go off, I would have enough class to walk away. Like in “I Decided”…I will still love you, but I also have enough class to leave. It takes a lot of power to do that—to say, “I still love you, but you’re killing me; I gotta go.”
Since the music has taken off for you, do you miss running track?
I do miss it. I miss that part of me. I honestly think that’s what helped me to take on a lot of things and not be afraid. I wasn’t afraid to take the step (toward music); I was more concerned about what my family was going to say. I’m one of those spontaneous kinds of people. I just go, and I’ll find out the outcome later. I never ever want to say “I could have” or “I should have.” I never wanted to be that kind of person.
What else does Liv do besides music?
I love to shop vintage. I just opened up a new boutique in Portland called Look Boutique (www.listentoyourlook.com ). It incorporates fashion and music.
Musically, what’s next for you? Are you working on new material?
Yes, and I’m so excited about this next project; it’s my dream project. Hopefully we will release sometime later this year.
Liv, what symbolizes power in your life right now?
My humility is my power, and I always want to hold on to it. I really feel blessed that I’m in the position that I’m in right now.
Story by Vertical FixTM
Story by Vertical FixTM
is an online magazine and internet radio experience created to empower
readers while giving listeners a 24/7, constantly evolving stream of
soulful grooves anchored by lyrical content that is honest and
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