Taking inspiration from the hit Netflix show Stranger Things, Melbourne based artist LIVSKA has produced a classic, ethereal, dreamy tune in the form of ‘Stranger’. Fusing elements of 80s pop with her first love, synth-filled dream pop, LIVSKA’s brand new single is an absolute winner from start to finish. Formerly one half of the well known duo Seattle Fix, LIVSKA decided to take the global lockdown into her own hands and get to work on her solo career. Influenced by the likes of Daughter, The XX, Tycho and Lana Del Rey, ‘Stranger’ is the follow-up to her debut single ‘Patience,’ and shows an artist finding her voice and honing in on her signature sound. A sweet and mellifluous song, LIVSKA attempts to relive that initial feeling of meeting someone special – the pure excitement before the eventual fade. With more tracks in the pipeline, we can’t wait to hear what LIVSKA has next in store.
With the sweet and dreamy sounds of ‘Stranger,’ LIVSKA will leave you wanting more. And I, for one, am only too happy to wait.
INDIE TOP 39
What does the song mean to you?
This song was my challenge to fuse my love of 80s music into a dreamy pop track inspired by the soundtrack and story of Netflix’s show ‘Stranger Things’. I wanted this song to make me feel how I felt when I first met someone special, so I could relive all those initial feelings of excitement and lust before it eventually faded away and they became a stranger.
What are your favourite lyrics in the song?
My favourite lyrics would have to be the pre-chorus:
“Take my hand and come with me
Close your eyes, touch my skin
Bring your lips close to me,
I know it’s late but please don’t leave”.
This was my first proper attempt at writing lyrics that were a bit more intimate than my usual writing style and I think the added vocal harmonies in this part really enhanced this message and definitely adds to the buildup of tension and lust.
Tell us about your creative process and how the song came to be?
My ideas almost always begin from a jam on one of my instruments – so sometimes it can be guitar, a drum beat or piano but the lyrics are always written last. For me it has always been sound first, then lyrics. I want to capture the emotion of what I’m feeling before I find a way to describe it in words. I will then usually build layers of instruments on top of the foundation idea to give the song a more ‘full’ sound. I’ll admit sometimes I do get carried away with the number of layers I add but I just love the option of having a selection of different textures and elements that can really enhance the depth and overall experience of the song.
What would your life be like without music?
Music has always been an outlet for me and a form of escapism, as I think it is to a lot of people, and without it I think the world would be a very different place. Certainly quieter. Whether I’m writing music or listening to it, I think it provides an opportunity to make meaningful and emotional connections to human experiences that we can all relate to. Whether it’s heartbreak, sadness or happiness, it’s such a powerful tool that can bring people together from anywhere to overcome common life events, and I think we need this more than ever during such precious and trying times.
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Now you can listen to all the 39 songs in one place, right here on Spotify!
This coverage was created in collaboration with Musosoup as part of the #SustainableCurator movement.