Stepping into the spotlight with a voice equal parts soulful and cinematic, LIZA makes her debut with ‘Gone September’, a sweeping folk-jazz ballad that sets the tone for her new chapter under New York indie label Hood Rock Records. Built on gentle guitar finger-picking, atmospheric strings, and her rich, tender vocal delivery, the five-minute track unravels like a love story caught between mystery and memory.
Hailing from Chicago’s South Side, with Greek and American heritage shaping her story, LIZA is already building a name through collaborations with the likes of Ski Beatz, LaKecia Benjamin, and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. Now, with her debut single marking the first step toward a full-length album executive-produced by guitarist YOUNG JIMMY (due in 2026), she’s ready to share her own narrative in full colour.
We sat down with LIZA to talk about her origins and influences over the years.
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Can you tell us a bit about your musical background and how you got started in music?
I grew up surrounded by music — my father sang Greek folk, my mother sang jazz, and my American grandparents played Ike and Tina, James Brown, Frank Sinatra, just everything in the house. At 8 years old, I sang *You Made Me Love You* at the Drake Hotel with Buddy Charles, who made me promise to keep learning the standards. That moment gave me the courage to share my voice without fear.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, both past and present?
My family’s Greek restaurant in Chicago was its own school of music — belly dancers, jukeboxes, spontaneous dancing, plates breaking, energy everywhere. It taught me that music is currency. The Chicago jazz scene my grandparents exposed me to, my training ground. Then my grandma introduced me to the music of Billie Holiday. My world changed, and I realized the power of honesty in a voice.
Are there specific artists who’ve shaped your style or approach?
Oscar Brown Jr. and Abbey Lincoln — their lyrics are as powerful on paper as in song. Their music taught me the weight of words. And to find beauty in every moment. I also draw from Sade, Khari Lemuel, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Fred Anderson, Freddie Hubbard, Maurice Brown, and Bill Evans.
What memorable experiences have shaped your journey?
My mother taught me to learn the words before the music — that discipline gave me freedom when I sing. Touring with LaKecia Benjamin taught me to trust my feel over perfection. And singing in Greece in 2018 reconnected me with my family before their passing. My voice brought me home.
How do you express your personal experiences and identity through music?
I experience synesthesia, so I feel words and sounds in color. I sing my truth, translating memories, senses, and emotions into sound — like painting with my voice.
Have you faced challenges as a female musician, and how did you overcome them?
In New York, I sang on the A train to survive. It took courage, discipline, and heart — qualities no one can teach. I did it as a protest, to not settle getting paid less than what I could make on my own. It showed me the value in my talent, it made me strong! I don’t dwell on obstacles. Music has given me too much joy.
What themes or messages do you aim to convey?
I don’t chase themes. I write from visceral feeling — impulses, emotions, gut reactions. That’s the message.
What’s your creative process like?
Mysterious. It begins and ends with a feeling, often in color. Like a sculptor, I know when a song is finished because it just is.
How do you hope your music resonates, especially with aspiring musicians?
I share my vulnerability in song, even what I can’t say out loud. If someone connects, that’s everything. To aspiring female musicians: stay aligned, keep your head up — we’re cut from the same cloth.
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Listen to LIZA’s new single ‘Gone September’ below.