"Fearless, Funny, Sexy": Lilyisthatyou on Who She Is, Her Fans, and Her Music
THE UNSEEN Magazine sat down with Canadian pop star Lilyisthatyou ahead of her Cologne show on The Flowers Have Feelings Tour and talked about music, her appreciation for her fans, and her personal life.
Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. How would you describe yourself to people who may not know you? Who is Lily?
Lily: Imperfect, unapologetic, fearless, funny, sexy, giving, generous, loving, passionate, and strong.
Our magazine is called “The Unseen.” What is something about you that exists beneath what people see — something they might not know about you, but that you’d like to share?
Lily: Probably that so much of what I do is in pursuit of my family. I want to make more money so that my brother and sister can have a better life. My mother can have a better life. That’s something I don’t really talk about a lot online, but so much of what I do in the pursuit of pop music is because I think that you can make so much money in pop music rather than in other genres that I’m maybe more interested in creating. But I think one good pop song sets your family up, and that’s what I’m dedicated to: supporting my family and making an easier life, especially for my younger brother and sister.
What fun skills in music making or your private life are you "BRINGING TO THE TABLE"?
Lily: Fun skills? I mean, maybe makeup, and I’m styling this whole tour. I’m doing my whole glam for my own tour. I’m also, like, creative.
Sabrina: I love your outfits. They're so creative.
Lily: Thank you. I don’t know what I’m going to wear yet, so we’re going to figure it out later. I literally don’t know. I’m thinking I want to wear red, but I think also, like, I’m creative directing this tour with my best friend, Max. He has never really been a photographer/videographer, but then this year, we’ve written and directed a bunch of music videos together, and I feel that’s something that’s unseen. It’s the sort of world we’re building behind the scenes and the brand I’m trying to create for myself. I had the same manager for six years, and then, like, two months ago, we split. So, for the first time in six years, everything is in my control and my responsibility to define the aesthetic.
Sabrina: But that sounds really cool.
Lily: Dude, I love it. I’m so glad. It definitely needed to happen. All love to him, you know, it’s all love, but I just want that freedom to do what I want to do. The unseen for me is that I’m not sure what I’m doing. That everything people see isn’t like I planned it three months or two years in advance. We’re figuring it out in the moment, like what’s cool, what’s sexy.
Sabrina: That must be really exciting.
Lily: For sure. And it only works because I’m here with my friend. If it were a stranger, I wouldn’t know their taste. I wouldn’t trust them. So, I wouldn’t respect what they have to say about my brand and my art because I’m like, you don’t even know me, versus this person that’s been in my life for years and years and years. You know, he wouldn’t say it if he didn’t feel it, and there are so many things I trust him with that, well, if you don’t think that this is cool, then it’s obviously not. If it is a stranger, I’m like, “Well, what do you fucking know about me. So, why should I listen to you?”
Your professional name is "Lilyisthatyou." How did you come up with the name? And is there a reason it’s mentioned just in some of your songs?
Lily: Honestly, there’s no reason it’s mentioned in just some of my songs. It was like a phase for me where I wanted it to be, like a beat tag, and then I kind of didn’t want to do it on this recent project. I just didn’t find it interesting then, but it’s not like it’s over. Right now, I don’t really want to do it. But the name "Lilyisthatyou" I just came up with in the middle of the night, in like 2020, because I didn’t want my name to be my Instagram. I didn’t want my Instagram to be just my name because I don’t really like my last name, and I didn’t really resonate with that. Then I made it "Lilyisthatyou," but I kind of wish it was just Lily. But fans really like the "Lilyisthatyou." I’m sort of whatever about it. I don’t like introducing myself like that. To me, in my head, I’m just Lily, and "Lilyisthatyou" is this whole other thing that isn’t the same. But I like it because that’s what, to me, art is all about, embodying different characters and figuring out who you are. It being a question like Lily, is this you? Everything I do, outfit, every makeup look, every show, it’s like, is this me or am I pretending to be something that I’m not? And if I am, then why?
You had your breakthrough in 2021 with…
Lily: Fuck me right now. (FMRN). Yeah, exactly.
What has changed for you ever since, as an artist, in the way you perceive music in general?
Lily: I mean, I think it’s easier to say that everything’s changed. The only thing that’s stayed the same is, like, be honest, because that’s what resonates. That song I never planned on anything happening with or ever putting out, and it was…It was just so honest that obviously, people resonated with it. And that’s kind of what I feel is like, if I’ve learned anything, it’s that’s the only thing that matters, and everything else has changed. Like, how I write music, melodies, and all these different things. That’s all new. But the idea that honesty resonates the most is more important to me now than ever.
Looking back at all the eras you’ve created from all your past EPs to your latest one, which era has been your favorite to live through creatively, and what made it so special for you?
Lily: I mean, this era, for sure, is probably the answer because I’ve gone through all these changes, like I said with my manager, and for the first time, this is in my control. Although the EP came out right as it was happening. So it’s not like the cover, the music, or any of the choices I made in putting out this EP weren’t influenced by someone else. They were. But like how I chose to promote it was all up to me. Other than that, "Pop Music", I think, was like my favorite because I was so fearless, and I just left Warner, so everything was so new.
Do you have a favorite music style? Or is it more of a “Hey, I’m trying to look what fits me the best?” or an "You can't put me into one box because I like them all" kind of decision?
Lily: I think it’s "I like them all." And also, every day I feel differently. Sometimes I feel very sexy. Sometimes I feel very angry; sometimes I feel very sad. And, like, what I consume. But everything falls in line with what I said at the beginning: I want it to be popular because popularity makes money, and money makes mom happy... You know?
Sabrina: Yeah, I know. And I also like your style. No one can put you into a box. Every song is different. And that is so cool.
Time for a little Kiss, Marry, Kill. You have to assign each of your projects one of the following: 'Pop Music', 'Dirt on my Hands', or 'From the Garden I Grew.'
Lily: No!
Sabrina: Yeah. I know.
Lily: I would fuck "Pop Music", and I would marry "Dirt on my Hands", and I would kill "From The Garden I Grew".
Okay, can you explain your decision?
Lily: Well, "Pop Music" was the first time that I was independent. I could express myself freely. There’s something so sexy about that, and I just loved that clown aesthetic and the idea that the irony of me leaving the label and then putting out this EP where I’m, like, a clown making pop music that just feels real to me. And then I would pick "Dirt on my Hands" to marry because it’s so emotional, so honest, and I would want to marry somebody very emotional and honest. And then I would kill "From The Garden I Grew" because I never really wanted to put this project out, and I was forced to do it. It just happened way too fast, and I would have done a million things differently. Now that it’s out, I’m glad, and I trust it happened the right way. But that’d probably be my answer. Sorry to anyone who disagrees.
Your name is Lily, which is also a flower. What kind of flowers would there be in your garden then? Also, a lily or other flowers?
Lily: Orchids, yellow roses. There are these flowers that I grew up with that I don’t really know the names of, but they’re like these little heart blossoms. I think they’re called heartthrobs, actually. So, orchids, yellow roses, and the heartthrobs.
Tonight is the fifth show of your tour. How are you feeling?
Lily: Good. Ready to keep going. Every day I wake up tired, but then by the time it’s this time, I’m just excited again. And it’s all going to be okay.
You have a wide set of songs in your discography. Was it hard for you to come up with the setlist? And does it change from show to show?
Lily: The setlist was really hard for me to come up with, and it doesn’t really change. Although I'm working on making some changes for the US leg, just like a couple of songs to switch out. The show is an hour and like a few minutes, and that’s so long. I’m already doing it, and it’s difficult. And part of me wishes it was shorter, but if it were shorter, then it’d have to make sacrifices in what the music is. But I made this whole mix with my friend John in LA, and that’s the first time I’ve ever done this, where the setlist is not just like song after song after song. You’ll see.
Sabrina: Okay. That is exciting.
Lily: It's more like transitions, more like a DJ mix. You’ll see.
What is your favorite song to perform from your latest EP?
Lily: "Chanel Laces" or "Buzzball".
What’s your all-time favorite to perform? From all your songs?
Lily: I love "All About Me". But I also love "Relax After Work With A Drink". The people just love that one so much.
What do you appreciate most about your fan base? They are called the Garden, right?
Lily: Mm-hmm. What do I appreciate the most? It’s probably that they appreciate me. They are always talking about the work I’m doing, and that they’re thankful that I don’t sleep because I keep putting out music. I feel they don’t take it lightly that I’ve put out so much music in these last few years, which has been really hard on me. They’ve shown me why that’s been worth it. So, I appreciate that. I also appreciate that they make an effort to build community with each other, that, you know, there are these fan projects, for example, that just happened in Paris — not last night, but the night before, where I know that they went out of their way to connect with one another to make that happen.
Anything you want your fans to take home with them when they leave your show?
Lily: Just to keep going. Not to quit, you know? And that it’s okay to not know exactly what you’re supposed to be doing. That is fine. You don’t need to have a super-defined plan. You just need to keep going.
Sabrina: Yeah, you don't have to have everything figured out.
Lily: Yeah, I really believe that every step forward, no matter how small it is, is still forward. Even if it’s small. As long as you’re going.
As a Canadian based in LA. I need to ask this. Who is your Canadian idol?
Lily: It has to be Drake. Like, it has to be Drake. I’m sorry. It has to be Drake. And I really don’t care. It has to be Drake.
What would be something you would like to tell the younger Lily?
Lily: To trust myself. Yeah, just trust yourself, girl. You know better than anyone else what’s the right thing for you to do. It’s probably that. Yeah, trust yourself and be honest with yourself.
Thank you so much for taking the time today. I have one more question before we wrap up. We at The Unseen have an “Artist’s Favorites” playlist. Would you like to add a few of your favorite songs?
Lily: Yeah, of course. Of my songs or like anything?
Sabrina: Anything. Just like your favorite songs.
Lily: Yeah, let’s do it. "Brand new Chanel$" by slayyyter, "River" by Miley Cyrus, "Trauma Olympics" by James the Seventh, and "Storm ll" by Yung Lean.
After we wrapped up, Lily let us help decide which outfit she would wear on stage tonight. Everything from the initial introduction to the actual interview and beyond proved what genuine and down-to-earth people Lily and her team are. If you don’t know Lilyisthatyou yet, we can only recommend her. She’s definitely one to look out for.
Photo credits: Max Lopez
LISTEN TO LILYISTHATYOU'S FAVORITES HERE:
WRITTEN BY
Sabrina
I love sharing the things that bring me joy and make me feel at home. Whether it’s stumbling upon hidden gems, experiencing unforgettable concerts, or finding inspiration in art, books, and film, I’m always chasing moments that matter. Life keeps me moving, and through writing, I get to share my adventures and my love for the artists who inspire me. There’s so much beauty out there waiting to be seen and appreciated!
