With her upcoming EP Becoming You, Whitney Lyman invites listeners on a transformative musical journey that blurs the lines between introspection and empowerment. Written and produced in collaboration with acclaimed artist and producer Cherish Alexander, the record captures a natural evolution of sound and spirit – from the soulful reflection of “Undoing” to the grounding strength of “Solid Ground.”
Whitney opens up about the creative process behind Becoming You, the magic of collaboration, and how performing live continues to shape her ever-evolving artistic identity.
Of course! Here’s the same interview, cleanly formatted without numbers, for a polished, professional presentation suitable for publication or web posting:
What initially inspired you to write your upcoming EP, “Becoming You”?
It was initially inspired by first meeting up with artist and producer Cherish Alexander for some songwriting sessions in Los Angeles. Starting with one song that led to a full EP because we worked well together and loved how the music was turning out. The subject matter resonated with both of us, and it made sense to keep going and release the songs as an album.
The EP title suggests a process rather than a fixed identity. How has your sense of “becoming” evolved?
As humans, I think we often get consumed in what our external identity is and how the world sees us, but tend to neglect the inner workings and what is most important to us at the end of the day. The more we understand ourselves individually, the more we can move from a place of inner truth. I spend a lot of time trying to get to know myself better, and then I can contribute to the world even more from a place of fulfillment.
The songs move between introspection and empowerment — from “Undoing” to “Solid Ground.” How intentional was that emotional arc when you began writing, or did it naturally emerge as the songs took shape?
It is a natural progression when you’re writing about what you are going through and diving deeper into those thoughts and feelings. We realize that all humans go through a very similar arc in life — such as the hero’s journey — from setting out on the adventure to the dark night of the soul, leading to self-realization and victory in the end, shedding the person we once were and stepping into our evolved self. There’s a reason these archetypes exist to begin with; we are all very much the same.
You’ve described “Supermoon” as being inspired by your time in North Wales. How did that setting influence the song’s storytelling and sound? The song was actually written long before I went to North Wales, and when I got there it seemed to be a perfect soundtrack for the setting, given the history and folklore of the area. So much so that I filmed the music video for “Supermoon” there, and it matched beautifully with the themes described in the song — forests, knights, castles, and dragons. The song sounds quite mysterious and magical too — dreamy and cinematic.
There’s a nostalgic quality throughout the EP that nods to artists like Fleetwood Mac and Sheryl Crow. What does “timelessness” mean to you in your songwriting?
Timelessness to me means the music could have come out decades ago or been released this year, and you still enjoy listening to it just as much — and for years to come it doesn’t lose its appeal. Fleetwood Mac and Sheryl Crow are artists I’ve loved since I was a kid because my parents listened to them, yet they are still very popular and current today. I think the music that resonates the most with people is usually something that sounds familiar yet brand new, and we are always building upon what came before. Even Mozart composed that way, referencing his influences — and his music is still popular and relevant hundreds of years later.
You collaborated closely with producer Cherish Alexander, who has worked with icons like Cyndi Lauper and Josie Cotton. How did that partnership shape the sonic and emotional landscape of “Becoming You”?
It definitely brought some of the nostalgic sounds you can hear in the album that are still timeless and relevant today. Cherish had started with the seed of the initial songs and also played many of the instruments on the album, as well as producing it. Everything we wrote resonated deeply with me on an emotional level, and I think that really comes out in my vocal delivery. Ultimately, we captured a gentle yet powerful vibe.
What inspired you to revisit “Solid Ground” and “Supermoon” in a stripped, orchestral form?
What inspired it was my long-time friend and collaborator’s gorgeous string arrangements he recorded for those two songs. They were so beautiful they deserved to have their own featured moment as orchestral versions. It’s nice to have different versions of songs too, as they can evoke different emotions.
You’re heading out on a UK tour this autumn. Are you looking forward to performing the songs live, and if so, why? How does performing live differ for you personally compared to recording?
I am currently in the UK and in the middle of my tour now. I’ve already performed in Wirral near Liverpool, and Colwyn Bay and Wrexham, North Wales — where I got my start in the UK. I have a few shows left on the tour, including an EP release show at Telford’s Warehouse in Chester on the 26th of October, and I’ve just added another full-band show at The Parish in Wrexham on Halloween.
This tour is a mix of solo and full-band shows, each with their own unique qualities. I’m also doing some recording sessions to finish up the next album I’ve been working on with each visit to the UK over the past year. Recording is definitely a different process than playing live, but they go hand in hand. Some songs are recorded before they are played live, and some are recorded after performing them for a while — they can evolve over time, which makes them even better.
The goal is to get the best possible result when recording, which is why it can take a lot of time and patience to get it just right. Performing live also takes discipline because you have one chance to get it right in that moment. Both are important to evolving as an artist, and both are processes I truly enjoy.
You’ve mentioned that “Becoming You” marks a new chapter in your creative life. How do you envision the next phase of your evolution as an artist? Becoming You has been a great way to get new music out into the world after a long period of not releasing or writing anything new during the world-changing events of 2020. It was a hard time for everyone, and creating this music with collaborators was very healing and inspiring during that difficult period. I see it as a moment that helped me move forward — and maybe it can do that for others, too.
The next phase is to keep building from this, to keep writing new music as much as possible — because it keeps getting better! Hopefully, I can reach even wider audiences and make a difference in the world.
Finally — if you could summarize “Becoming You” in one sentence, not as an album but as a feeling — what would it be?
Becoming You is the feeling of freedom in learning and knowing who you are, and staying true to that as you continue to evolve and find meaning in the journey of life.