Multi-talented singer-songwriter Liam Horne is making waves with his unique sound. Hailing from Aberdeen, Scotland and now residing in LA, Liam first got his big break when he co-wrote Justin Bieber’s “Out of Town Girl” from 2012’s “Believe” and worked with acts like Pixie Lott and Neon Hitch. While writing songs for others, Horne has also been working on his own artistic career. His success led to him signing a record deal with Capitol Records.
Liam Horne performed a stripped-down acoustic version of his song “Bartender” off his upcoming album recorded live at Black Star, premier recording studio and record label in the heart of Studio City, CA. Since its opening, Black Star has been a creative hub for some of the most in-demand songwriters, artists, and producers in music today.
Black Star: Where are you originally from?
Liam Horne: I am from Aberdeen, Scotland! Born and raised. I moved out here when I was 12 to start singing. I was raised with a loving family and music, my whole family were very musical. My memories of Scotland… it was all music and singing with my mom and my grandfather, just performing. I’ve been singing my whole life. I was 11, turning 12, when I first went into a studio and sang professionally on a microphone, but my whole life I was singing. My mom sings and I remember being 4 and singing with my mom.
What’s your favorite thing about living in LA?
Love the LA Kush! But you know, music is out here, the labels, everything! It’s just an amazing place to be! LA is my home now!
What’s your musical instrument of choice?
I play the guitar! I am a guitar player, but I like to dabble in other instruments, I wanna play everything! Give me a pillow and I’ll play it!
What is your process when you write music?
It varies, whether I’m in my house, writing on my couch, I just sit with my phone and record and just sing some shit on the guitar. If I am in the studio with the producer and he already has something, I’ll just go in the booth and sing some melodies down, very organic. I prefer [writing] in my house with the coffee and guitar and the notepad. I was very fortunate to have someone in the industry who was already established and doing their thing and was part of music production company who flew me out here and we started doing a venture together, and that’s why I was in the studio so young, I’m talking 12, 13, 14 [years old], growing up, in studios with him and singing. So I came out here for music initially!
How is it working with Rob Cavallo and Rich Skillz?
Rich Skillz! That’s my brother first! That’s family. He and I have been working together for 6 years now, so to just go into this with my bro, someone I can trust and feel safe with has been a blessing. Rob’s been nothing but amazing! You know, with his vast knowledge and what he’s done in the past! So amazing to have that in my arsenal, he’s played on some songs for me which has been incredible, he is always there to give his input when I need him, which has just been a blessing!
How was it when you got your deal with Capitol Records?
I always wanted to sign to Capitol, that was my thing! I said to Rich in the beginning: Capitol is where I wanna be! From The Beatles, to Frank Sinatra, to everyone! It’s like home to me now! That’s just amazing! But honestly what a lot of people think is you just sign your deal and it’s off, but for me really the work just started and now there are no days off, just write every day and have your shit ready to go at the drop of a hat, because I’m no longer just a person, I am a brand.
What are your past/present music influences?
I’m influenced by the greats! You know like Simply Red, Donny Hathaway, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, all the way up to like Justin Timberlake, [he] is dope, Bruno Mars. I like them all! Luther Vandross with his soulful voice! I am a soul singer so I gravitate more towards old Motown! There is a lot! I love where music’s at right now and the artists that we have in the world.
If you could talk to your younger self, what would you tell yourself?
Just… don’t stop! Just don’t stop! There is gonna be times where you are gonna be like “Fuck this! I’m out, I wanna give it up,” whether that’s people not believing in you, whether that’s doubting yourself. Don’t wait for other people to do your career, no one is gonna do it for you! Want it for yourself, don’t stop and keep that grind and keep going. Sometimes you may be on a mountain with the backpack full of rocks, trying to get to the top, as soon as you get there, take that shit off and chill! And remember: you did the hard work, you did it! So just don’t stop and keep grinding! That’s my advice, that’s what I do!
Are you ready to transition from singer/songwriter to full time on stage presence?
You know I’ve been songwriting for a long time, I was 16 when I wrote for Bieber, and that threw me into the songwriting world and got me just writing for artists. And in some ways you know it was messing with my ego, because I do have one [laughs], and it was like why are the songs I’m writing not working for me, why do I have to sell them to these other artists? So, I did it, but now I really want to transition to a full-time artist. I’m done writing songs for other people, I wanna write my songs and just give them to the world because I put an equal amount of love into all of them, so I hope I can have that opportunity with the artistry I am about to begin.
Images and video courtesy of Black Star
