“Trust your talent, trust your sauce,” Lizzie Berchie, British-Ghanian artist, recalls receiving similar advice upon quitting her full-time job to pursue a music career. Thank god for this leap of faith on Berchie’s behalf, as her latest performances on new singles ‘Love Deep’ and ‘I Hope You Understand’ are some of the most superior vocals in the UK neo-soul scene.
During our conversation, Lizzie Berchie describes her career as “a genuine journey through the night until the break of dawn.” From having a full-time job, Berchie juggled both while continuing to build her singing career. Aware of the risks, she went for it, knowing ‘this is the perfect time to do the things that feel the scariest.’
It may seem easy and obvious for some to chase their dreams, but the reality is much more frightening and lonely. Inspire the outside validation; at the end of the day, it was Lizzie Berchie taking a chance on herself and her talent. Hustling between catching her usual 7 am train to the office and performing for thousands of people at night made for great “character building,” she explains.
In her new single ‘Love Deep,’ Lizzie Berchie encourages all lovers to abandon the fear that surrounds the uncertainty of falling in love. It might not work out, but what if it does? Take a leap of faith, similar to what Lizzie Berchie has done.
Your new single ‘Love Deep’ is about letting your guard down and letting love in. Could you share what inspired the messaging?
The story of this song was inspired by a few conversations that I was having with my girls. They were all just expressing their frustrations dating emotionally unavailable men. Many people are afraid to really jump wholeheartedly into a relationship with someone that they know is everything they want and I understand that it’s scary but we just need to let that go. If it doesn’t work out, keep it stepping BUT it could also be the best thing to ever happen to you!
How did you link up with Filah Lah Lah to collaborate on the track?
I’ve been a huge fan of Filah Lah Lah since I stumbled across her album ‘ON AIR’. I found her on Instagram, told her how much I love her music and hope that we can work together one day. A few months later I sent her a few tracks of mine and that’s how ‘Love Deep’ was born. She really is the cherry on top of this song and I’m so thankful that she added her magic.
In your opinion, what is the ultimate love song of all time?
This is such a hard question! Off the cuff I’m going to say ‘My All’ by Mariah Carey because she really sang it like this was EVERYTHING to her. I am a huge Mariah stan!
What is your safe space for creating art and writing songs?
My safest space is definitely being home alone in my room. That’s where a lot of my songs have been created – including ‘Love Deep’.
In what aspect of being an artist do you feel the most comfortable? (In studio, on stage, writing songs)
Each of these aspects push me out of my comfort zone in different ways but are also equally places of solitude. If I had to pick one though, I would say the stage. Sometimes getting on the stage is tough because the nerves can creep in, but once that first note is out, it’s like every butterfly disappears.
‘I Hope You Understand’ touches upon the courage you had to have to quit your job and commit to pursuing music. What was it about this time of your life you felt like you will finally take the plunge?
I was really looking within myself during this time and asking God for a lot of guidance. The revelation was, this is a perfect time in my life to do the things that feel the scariest. I’m still young with not many responsibilities other than keeping myself alive. So, I made that leap of faith and quit my full-time job. There are definitely days where I think to myself “Oh gosh, what have I done?” because I’m a girl who likes shiny things and my salary was nice, but I truly believe that I’ll look back in a few years and thank myself for making the leap.
How did your commitment to being an artist look like before quitting your job?
I was hustling! I was working my 9-5 then heading straight to studio sessions, radio interviews or soundcheck – whatever was on the calendar for the day. There’s no feeling more humbling than performing to thousands of people one night and then waking up 7am the next morning to catch the same train to your office. Character building but nonetheless grateful.
Do you remember what artist or a specific song had that life-changing effect on you when you realized ‘this is what I want to do’?
Around the time I was inspired to quit my job, I saw Tems tweet a picture of her at the job she had before she started doing her thing musically. I remember being really inspired by this because she’s a black woman like me and she did it, so I thought maybe I can too.
Can you recall a piece of advice that encouraged you to abandon the traditional job and chase your dream instead?
I had so many words of encouragement and advice from people around me and even fans in my DM’s. I’m so grateful to be surrounded by people who genuinely believe and support this dream of mine. I can’t pinpoint a particular piece of advice but the overall sentiments were “There’s no better time than now”, “Your future self has already succeeded, you just need to get there” and “Trust your talent, trust your sauce”.
Can you share how you come up with concepts for your songs?
Concepts can really spring up from anywhere and anything. It can be my mood or from conversations I’ve had throughout the day. I do believe the actual music – the chords, the harmonies, the production – always call for a particular story and dictate the concept, so I spend a lot of time just listening to the beat I’m creating on loop until it pulls the words out of me.
How would you describe this upcoming chapter of new music compared to your previous EPs?
This upcoming music chapter is the story of my journey to stepping into my destiny. It’s a genuine journey through the night until the break of dawn. Featuring all the trials and tribulations but also the sweet and fun moments too.
How will your summer look like this year? At what festivals will your fans be able to catch you?
I’ve got quite a few shows coming this summer. I’ll be doing a headline show in London at St Pancras Old Church on June 6th. There will be more which are yet to be announced so definitely keep an eye out for those!
Follow Lizzie Berchie on Instagram
Words: Karolina Kramplova