An Interview with Lila Satterfield
We recently interviewed a teen musician for the Cliché Teen Journal Interview Blog page.
Read about the interview below!
*A conversation between Anna L. and Lila Satterfield, a teen musician.*
Read about the interview below!
*A conversation between Anna L. and Lila Satterfield, a teen musician.*
Question 1: When did you first start singing or playing your musical instrument?
Lila: I first started playing guitar in 2015. I had previously had an interest in music, having bought my first guitar in 1st grade. However, after investing a major portion of my life into listening to music I decided to sit down and learn for myself. I began playing at 11 years old with a family friend giving me weekly lessons.
Question 2: What’s your favorite part about being a musician?
Lila: I really enjoy learning new things and with music, there is so much to be learned. I can spend hours practicing theory but there is still so much more to learn. The freedom that comes with playing an instrument is amazing in the fact that I don’t need to stick to basic scales or formats, and I can go play new, weirder sounding riffs and chords. Many hobbies/ professions like sport have very specific movements and plays but with music, I can be myself and show more emotions in what and how I play. I find it very fulfilling and relaxing.
Question 3: What is your favorite genre of music to play?
Lila: I play a large variety of music ranging from 50s blues to metal to pop. My favorite genre changes frequently as I am always discovering new bands and songs but currently my favorite genre is psychedelic rock. I enjoy this genre because it has a very chilling feel to it but at the same time you really want to jump around while listening to it. Bands like Pink Floyd, The Holifields, indigo de Souza, and King Crimson has very interesting formats to their songs that Challenge me and keep my mind sharp. The effects used in psychedelic music are really fun to mess around with and experimenting with pedals and funky effects gives songs a surprise element that I have come to appreciate.
Question 4: Do you enjoy working in a group/band or solo more?
Lila: I enjoy both solo work and being in a band setting, but I preferably like working in bands. I believe that writing a song is easiest alone but once i have a base for it I think presenting it to a group or my bands give the best results. It is beneficial for others to critique and add on to things I have written because not only can it help me as a writer for future projects, but it adds character to the song and gives the others motivation for writing. I also enjoy performing with a band. I have never performed solo and I feel comfortable with others playing their instruments along with me instead of it being just me alone on stage. Performing with others builds character and bonds between the band mates and it is a lot of fun to move around onstage with your friends rather than on your own.
Question 5: How would you describe your “sound of music?
Lila: I wouldn’t be able to place it into one category. I listen to and write so much of a variety of music that it is hard to place it in just a few words. I think I would consider it a “bluesy, ragae, funky psych” sound. A lot of the things I write have many different parts to them and there can be one part of really funky slap bass and then 10 seconds later there can be a Jimi Hendrix-type solo. And then other stuff is very mellow and slow and sounds like something you could fall asleep to.
Question 6: What qualities do you believe a good musician should possess?
Lila: I think any good musician should not define themselves to one specific type of music. If anyone asks you ”what type of music do you play?” I don’t think any good musician should have just a singular answer. The best musicians should also have a kind personality as well and not just be able to play. I think you should know your crowd and base a set off of what you believe your crowd would enjoy. A good musician should know and understand theory, but I don’t think we need to know every bit of it. We should be able to go outside of the box with solos and not use only one scale as it gets repetitive at times. I think a good musician should know their instrument and know how to get different tones.
Question 7: How do you feel when you play music?
Lila: I feel content and relaxed. When I play music, I feel like anything is possible and I know that it’s only the beginning. There is so much to learn and gain from music and I have only experienced the top layer and am just beginning to dig deeper. When I play music, I feel free and I feel like I can accomplish anything if I try because music makes me truly happy.
Question 8: Do you ever feel like you are struggling to juggle life and music? Do you have any advice on how to handle that?
Lila: Yes I do sometimes. Music takes up a majority of my life and I times I would consider it my life. Balancing music, sports, and school has been very difficult and the best advice I can give to someone is to manage your time wisely. Time management is the most important part in almost anything. Procrastinating isn’t good and although I am guilty of it, if you do your homework then go on to your hobbies and maybe take a small break or a nap you should be very pleased with the results. Music is amazing and it may seem like the most important thing in your life but try to put other things first sometimes and it may give you less stress.
Question 9: What is the best advice you have ever received regarding music?
Lila: The best musical advice I’ve receive is probably to constantly challenge yourself. Musicians often get to a certain level when they think they are knowing enough to stop learning more but the truth is no one can learn everything about music. Some songs I learn are so simple I can master them in about 3 minutes. These songs are fun, and I enjoy them, but they get boring at times. If I get bored and want to learn a challenging song, I turn to either Steely Dan or vulfpeck because they’re songs are so musically diverse, it is always a challenge to dissect and figure out small individual parts in their songs and i really enjoy doing that.
Question 10: What is your goal in the musical career pathway?
Lila: I’m not 100% sure yet. I definitely enjoy writing and producing music, so I am thinking of looking into commercial music as a career and work in a studio recording with bands. However, I also really enjoy performing in bands and playing shows. I think in the long run I want to go more in the path of working in the studio and recording and on the side probably play in a band or two.
Question 11: What advice would you give to teenagers trying to pursue music?
Lila: Work hard. Nothing is going to come easy to you. If you have a real passion for music, then work hard and practice and be social. Meet people in the industry and make connections. If you’re willing to work hard, be patient, and persistent, then you’re off to a good start and will probably reach your end goal
Anna: Thank you for participating in this interview! Do you have anything else to add?
Lila: I don’t believe so. Thank you!
Lila's Instagram: @Lila.satterfield
Lila: I first started playing guitar in 2015. I had previously had an interest in music, having bought my first guitar in 1st grade. However, after investing a major portion of my life into listening to music I decided to sit down and learn for myself. I began playing at 11 years old with a family friend giving me weekly lessons.
Question 2: What’s your favorite part about being a musician?
Lila: I really enjoy learning new things and with music, there is so much to be learned. I can spend hours practicing theory but there is still so much more to learn. The freedom that comes with playing an instrument is amazing in the fact that I don’t need to stick to basic scales or formats, and I can go play new, weirder sounding riffs and chords. Many hobbies/ professions like sport have very specific movements and plays but with music, I can be myself and show more emotions in what and how I play. I find it very fulfilling and relaxing.
Question 3: What is your favorite genre of music to play?
Lila: I play a large variety of music ranging from 50s blues to metal to pop. My favorite genre changes frequently as I am always discovering new bands and songs but currently my favorite genre is psychedelic rock. I enjoy this genre because it has a very chilling feel to it but at the same time you really want to jump around while listening to it. Bands like Pink Floyd, The Holifields, indigo de Souza, and King Crimson has very interesting formats to their songs that Challenge me and keep my mind sharp. The effects used in psychedelic music are really fun to mess around with and experimenting with pedals and funky effects gives songs a surprise element that I have come to appreciate.
Question 4: Do you enjoy working in a group/band or solo more?
Lila: I enjoy both solo work and being in a band setting, but I preferably like working in bands. I believe that writing a song is easiest alone but once i have a base for it I think presenting it to a group or my bands give the best results. It is beneficial for others to critique and add on to things I have written because not only can it help me as a writer for future projects, but it adds character to the song and gives the others motivation for writing. I also enjoy performing with a band. I have never performed solo and I feel comfortable with others playing their instruments along with me instead of it being just me alone on stage. Performing with others builds character and bonds between the band mates and it is a lot of fun to move around onstage with your friends rather than on your own.
Question 5: How would you describe your “sound of music?
Lila: I wouldn’t be able to place it into one category. I listen to and write so much of a variety of music that it is hard to place it in just a few words. I think I would consider it a “bluesy, ragae, funky psych” sound. A lot of the things I write have many different parts to them and there can be one part of really funky slap bass and then 10 seconds later there can be a Jimi Hendrix-type solo. And then other stuff is very mellow and slow and sounds like something you could fall asleep to.
Question 6: What qualities do you believe a good musician should possess?
Lila: I think any good musician should not define themselves to one specific type of music. If anyone asks you ”what type of music do you play?” I don’t think any good musician should have just a singular answer. The best musicians should also have a kind personality as well and not just be able to play. I think you should know your crowd and base a set off of what you believe your crowd would enjoy. A good musician should know and understand theory, but I don’t think we need to know every bit of it. We should be able to go outside of the box with solos and not use only one scale as it gets repetitive at times. I think a good musician should know their instrument and know how to get different tones.
Question 7: How do you feel when you play music?
Lila: I feel content and relaxed. When I play music, I feel like anything is possible and I know that it’s only the beginning. There is so much to learn and gain from music and I have only experienced the top layer and am just beginning to dig deeper. When I play music, I feel free and I feel like I can accomplish anything if I try because music makes me truly happy.
Question 8: Do you ever feel like you are struggling to juggle life and music? Do you have any advice on how to handle that?
Lila: Yes I do sometimes. Music takes up a majority of my life and I times I would consider it my life. Balancing music, sports, and school has been very difficult and the best advice I can give to someone is to manage your time wisely. Time management is the most important part in almost anything. Procrastinating isn’t good and although I am guilty of it, if you do your homework then go on to your hobbies and maybe take a small break or a nap you should be very pleased with the results. Music is amazing and it may seem like the most important thing in your life but try to put other things first sometimes and it may give you less stress.
Question 9: What is the best advice you have ever received regarding music?
Lila: The best musical advice I’ve receive is probably to constantly challenge yourself. Musicians often get to a certain level when they think they are knowing enough to stop learning more but the truth is no one can learn everything about music. Some songs I learn are so simple I can master them in about 3 minutes. These songs are fun, and I enjoy them, but they get boring at times. If I get bored and want to learn a challenging song, I turn to either Steely Dan or vulfpeck because they’re songs are so musically diverse, it is always a challenge to dissect and figure out small individual parts in their songs and i really enjoy doing that.
Question 10: What is your goal in the musical career pathway?
Lila: I’m not 100% sure yet. I definitely enjoy writing and producing music, so I am thinking of looking into commercial music as a career and work in a studio recording with bands. However, I also really enjoy performing in bands and playing shows. I think in the long run I want to go more in the path of working in the studio and recording and on the side probably play in a band or two.
Question 11: What advice would you give to teenagers trying to pursue music?
Lila: Work hard. Nothing is going to come easy to you. If you have a real passion for music, then work hard and practice and be social. Meet people in the industry and make connections. If you’re willing to work hard, be patient, and persistent, then you’re off to a good start and will probably reach your end goal
Anna: Thank you for participating in this interview! Do you have anything else to add?
Lila: I don’t believe so. Thank you!
Lila's Instagram: @Lila.satterfield