“a wistful blend of indie-folk and pop that’s reminiscent of the likes of Alice Phoebe Lou and Julia Jacklin.” – DIY
+ raves from The Line Of Best Fit, Notion, BBC Introducing & more
On Friday, London-based producer and singer-songwriter Liza Lo has released her new live EP titled Familiar: Live at Gearbox via London/Tokyo label Gearbox Records (home to Abdullah Ibrahim, Binker & Moses, Knats, Elliot Galvin, Graham Costello and more). Following a year of touring including her own UK tour and support tours for Harrison Storm, Vraell, and Steph Strings, Liza returned to Gearbox’s studio in Camden to record Familiar: Live at Gearbox, a fully analog reinterpretation of selected tracks from her debut album. These intimate one-take recordings were captured direct to ¼ inch tape using Gearbox’s vintage 1965 C37 tape machine and Decca Tree mic setup, capturing the raw, emotional heart of Liza’s songs as they evolved on the road, particularly through the intimate live duo and trio performances with guitarist Sean Rogan and bassist Chris Rabbits
HEAR / SHARE “CONFIARME (LIVE AT GEARBOX)” HERE
The result is a warm, immediate sound that prioritises feeling over perfection. The accompanying visuals, directed by Kayla Middleton, mirror the honesty and atmosphere of these stripped back sessions. This project marks both a return to the essence of Liza’s music and a step toward the next chapter in her sound. Speaking on the EP she says, “Having played these songs on the road over the past year has truly given them a whole new life. I remember opening for Steph during her UK tour and noticing how different our live set stripped back to two guitars was to the recorded album. Many people asked me if they could find a live or more intimate version of the songs, so it only made sense to make them! I learnt so much by playing live over the last year and it has given me a whole new outlook on how I’d like my music to sound going forward”
To mark the announcement Friday, Liza also shared the live version of her recent single “Confiarme”. Liza’s debut album Familiar touches on everything from the loss of a friend, to moving away from her home in Europe, to the many subtle intricacies that come with modern day relationships. Recorded at Damon Albarn’s Studio 13, with her band and Jon Kelly (Kate Bush / Paul McCartney), It’s full of uncanny and intimate guitars, retro pop-inflected synth and bass, and crystalline piano that intensify and build into widescreen, driving poignant songs about vulnerability and emotional fulfilment. It’s a real exercise in both fragility and self-found strength. The album has seen Liza earn praise from the likes of DIY, Notion, and BBC Introducing, and earlier releases such as “Empty Room” have racked up over 1M streams. Following the release of Familiar: Live At Gearbox, Liza once again will be heading out on the road – with a London and Spanish date scheduled for July, she will be announcing further shows in due course.
Live dates:
28 August – Coll Bardollet, Valldemossa ESP
