Dubbed the “new face of R&B” by NPR, LiV Warfield turned a lot of heads with the release of 2014’s The Unexpected. Produced by Prince – with whom LiV has performed on many stages — The Unexpected was featured as a You Oughta Know title by VH1 Soul before earning LiV a Best New Artist nod from the Soul Train Awards. A full-length follow-up album is reportedly in the works and slated for a Summer 2016 release.
Still touring in support of The Unexpected, LiV will be performing at The Iridium on Feb. 19 and 20; both nights have 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM performances. LiV kindly answered some questions for Downtown, showing herself to be an artist that’s in it for all the right reasons. For more info on the legendary-artist-in-the-making, click on over to www.livwarfieldmusic.com.
Where was your first gig in New York City? What do you remember about it?
LiV Warfield: My first gig was at the Billie’s Black [in Harlem]. That was years ago. It was an amazing show because it was the beginning of my career. I was vulnerable to the music and everything was so brand new.
For the people thinking of coming to see you at The Iridium, what should they expect?
L: They should expect an amazing show. You never know what you will get with me. I’ve had the amazing NPG horns with me in the past, and this time I wanted to do something different. I’m transitioning into a new sound and a new story. I don’t like to do things the same. Just know it’s going to be good! You released your latest album, The Unexpected, through a label services deal with Kobalt, a company primarily known as a publisher.
What led to this, rather than seeking a traditional label deal?
L: Most labels didn’t know what to do with my album. I honestly didn’t know what to think. But Richard Sanders, President of Kobalt, really believed in the album and gave it some legs. So I’m thankful for that. I just wanted to push out a project that my band and I worked so hard to put together and Kobalt took a chance.
The Unexpected received tremendous acclaim from VH1 and led to a lot of major TV appearances. Do you view anything in particular as your biggest accomplishment?
L: I’m so grateful for those endorsements from VH1 and the TV appearances. I’m overjoyed about that because performing LIVE is what I love to do. I view them all as major accomplishments, but I must say that I still have room for more.
How did you first encounter Prince? Is it true that he found you through YouTube?
L: (laughs) Telepathically, and yes, he saw some YouTube clips of me singing.
Do you feel that there are any misconceptions about Prince and working with him?
L: I don’t know what these misconceptions are, but I’ve had great experiences working with him.
Do you enjoy being a side performer, as you’ve done with Prince? Or was the plan to always be in front?
L: I love to sing and perform. Honestly, to me it has nothing to do with being a side performer or being in front. It’s about the energy, I guess I’m an old soul. We care more about the journey the show just took us on. I care about those hours or minutes I had in my life to feel free on-stage — not confined by anyone’s rules, just FREE. You have to understand Prince is very generous with his light and he doesn’t have to be. I’ve learned from the BEST.
When you have free time away from your career, how do you usually like to spend it?
L: Family, family and more family.
As someone who’s lived in Portland for quite a while, how much of the show Portlandia rings true for you?
L: (laughs) It’s exaggerated a bit, but I would say it’s very close. I love that show.
What was your favorite album of 2015?
L: D’Angelo or Alabama Shakes — tough question!
-by Darren Paltrowitz
