Lydia Caesar is a singer/songwriter that we first discovered on mixtapes that were circulating around New York City. Shortly after, we began seeing more of her buzzing online after she released her version of Musiq's hit song "Buddy". After hearing her name in circles over and over again and having our peers continuously speak so highly of her, it got to the point where we almost couldn't avoid her and her grind.
This talented young star is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the industry as a result of her beautiful voice, head turning looks, and killer songwriting skills, and we were proud to be able to sit down and talk to her. As a former stand out contestant on Making the Band 2, and someone who has performed in just about every venue in NYC, she definitely has a lot of interesting things to say about her experiences in the entertainment industry. Learn more about Lydia Caesar when you read the rest.
ATF: We've been hearing about you for a little while now. Can you tell our readers a little bit about who you are?
LC: I’m a singer/songwriter/performer born and raised in Queens, NY. Basically, I’m an artist and I love making music. I love making songs that personally I can relate to, and it just so happens that other people can relate to them also. I love singing about love, and a lot of my songs are just about life. I also love the stage and I do a lot of shows in New York and the tri –state area. Within the city I get around and have done just about every venue. I’m just about spreading love and positivity through music.
ATF: What are some venues that we might of seen you perform at?
LC: I’ve done SOBs, BB Kings, Crash Mansion, The Canal Room, The Sugar Bar, basically everywhere.
ATF: And you also write your own songs, correct? Did you start out writing your own songs, or is it just something that you started doing gradually?
LC: Well, I’ve always considered myself to be a singer, and have been singing since I was about 5. I did Making the Band 2, and people on the set of the show were asking me if I write. At the time I had no songs at all, and they told me that was something that I should get into. I’ve always written poetry and have been very expressive, so when I was like 19 I started writing and started to realize that I was kind of good at it.
ATF: How was the Making the Band experience for you?
LC:It was a really good experience. I’m happy about it. I made it really far to top 15 singers. At the time, my parents were really strict, and they didn’t want me to sign. There was this really long contract that they give you early on, and my parents were like “No”. I was devastated, and I didn’t sign because I couldn’t go on, but the experience was really good for me. I really needed it as a person to build my strength and my confidence.
ATF: Did you always grow up wanting to be a singer, or was the Making the Band audition kind of a fluke?
LC: I felt I didn’t really embrace myself as a vocal artist. I’m into acting and that was where I really was….I wanted to be an actress, and I still do. But, when I got pregnant with my daughter, (which was about 6 months after Making the Band), is when I really started to take my music seriously. Its really weird, because you think something like that would be a stumbling block, but it really inspired me to work even harder. I actually wrote a song called “Melody Love” about my daughter and its like one of people’s favorite songs of mine. Its an older song, and not even how my music sounds now, but it came from such a real place and I think that’s why people really relate to that song.
ATF: Well, for our readers that are mothers out there, how do you manage to balance the two? And why was it so important for you to push yourself harder after you had your daughter?
LC: I’m blessed and fortunate to have a supportive family, and I have a lot of help. I don’t know how I would fair if I was on my own and I didn’t have such a great support system. My family supports what I do, and when I have shows and late night sessions, she’s with my mom. Her dad is in the industry too, and everyone around me is very supportive. We really it takes a village, so we all lend a hand in raising her. Honestly, I could make myself sound like some superwoman, but I do have help, which I’m very thankful for.
ATF: I actually first saw you on one of DJ Boy Wonda’s mixtapes. We actually just interviewed him, and we know that he hustles and we always see him out and about. How did you link up with him?
LC: My manager, Nigel is friends with Wonda, and he is such a big supporter. He really liked me and believed in me, and he was one of the first people to actually record me and really respect me as an artist. Its people like him who have helped me progress and has helped me as an artist to remain relevant. He’s like family in the industry to me.
ATF: Do you have a lot of friends in the industry that you can call to help out, or do you feel as a woman that you get some push back from your male counterparts?
LC: I wouldn’t say that I have a lot of friends, but I have a whole lot of acquaintances. There are a good amount of people that I know that I can count on when I need something, people who aren’t just about the money or business, but rather its about the passion that they have for me as an artist or a person. I think I’m fortunate, because its hard to find people like that.
ATF: In an industry where a lot of the music is kind of more so about how you look and what kind of machine you have around you, how do you feel you fit in?
LC: Its hard. A lot of times, the industry can be really discouraging, and you look around and wonder why you don’t have a deal or different opportunities. You definitely have thick skin. Not to hate on anyone else, but sometimes when you see what’s out there, I question “What the hell is going on?” However, I’ve adopted a motto for myself, and learned to not sweat the people that aren’t interested, but to sweat the people who are. I definitely think I have a place and I have a voice. I have music that people need to hear, and fans are really reassuring of that. The comments that I get definitely keep me going.
Check out Lydia Caesar's latest single Summer Vacation. (We sure could use that with all of the rain that we've been getting in the city lately.)
