LIZ REED – AN ARTIST SPOTLIGHT AND INTERVIEW

By Ralph Beauchamp

Liz Reed is a East Coast singer/songwriter who just released her new single entitled “Maybe Kind of World” via Bigger Beast Records. The song is dear to her heart as it is strongly connected to her daughter who is on the autism spectrum. Liz Reed writes songs from the heart. Her lyrics are personal and carry emotional value. Her voice delivers a passionate depth that truly resonates with her listeners. One of Liz Reed‘s notable qualities is the ability to seamlessly transition between genres without seeming out of place.

Liz Reed grew up in rural CT and that surely shaped her music. Her images are organic and beautifully etched. Her songwriting carries a fundamental artistry. Reed‘s music flows like the wind on a balmy summer evening. “Maybe Kind of World” is a prime example of her melodic and emotive feel. Reed‘s voice imports a lush lilt and her instrumentation is simple yet utterly sublime with lovely textured intonations. She is an undeniable songsmith. In addition, Reed donates her voice and time to many autism organizations and charities.

Liz Reed was kind enough to take some time to focus on this extensive interview.

AMP: What inspired you to make music?

LIZ: It has been said that I was singing while I was still in the womb. I started piano at age seven, guitar at age twelve and wrote my first song at age ten. As I spent a lot of time alone as a child—I used to climb up in my treehouse in the woods and just sing. My parents always knew where I was because they could hear me. I never actually stop making music; sometimes, I just am forced to make use my inside voice.

AMP: How would you describe the music you typically create?

LIZ: I’m a singer/songwriter whose music is inspired by life experiences. My early material was relationship-based (very inward-focused). As I’ve gotten older, I’ve shifted to broader commentary on parenting, politics, and everyday interactions.

AMP: What is your creative process like?

LIZ: My process is lyrics first. I carry a journal everywhere and I am always writing. I write in restaurants, bars, at church, in vehicles, at the beach, on vacation—everywhere. I’m always getting a side-eye from strangers and friends alike because hardly anyone puts pen to paper anymore. But I like the feel of the physical act of writing. Sometimes it’s poetry, sometimes prose, sometimes just a phrase that hits me right. A lot of it is crap, but it provides me with fodder to refer to once I start a song idea.

AMP: Your new song “Maybe Kind of World” will be released soon on Bigger Beast Records. Give us a little insight into the track.

LIZ: “Maybe Kind of World” was born out of my relationship with my teenage daughter, who is on the autism spectrum and suffers from extreme anxiety. Just navigating everyday relationships is tough for her. I am her biggest advocate and cheerleader and sometimes she drives me absolutely bonkers. But that’s true in almost every parent-child relationship, isn’t it? So here is where we touch on the simultaneous joy, fear and pride of parenting.

Every mom I’ve played or sung this song for has teared up (including my own!) because we all have a myriad of feelings about our kids. “Maybe Kind of World” speaks to the universal theme of watching our children grow and evolve into real humans, and the courage it takes to send them out into the world.

AMP: You’re a wife and a mom. How do you balance your musical career with your family responsibilities?

LIZ: First, I have an incredible partner in my husband, Tom. We have worked together to support each others’ careers for the entirety of our 20+ year relationship. And we have modeled supporting each other to our kids. When one of us isn’t home to do the chores, the others pick up the slack. Also, when Dad has to work late, the rest of us make dinner and clean up together. When Mom has an important gig, everyone else gets in the car and shows up. And we do the same for the kids: We cut out of work early and attend our daughter’s school concerts together. We pack sandwiches and attend our son’s baseball games together.

One of the top ten experiences of my life was playing a concert at the Marlborough (CT) Arts Center last fall and seeing my 16-year-old in the back of the room singing along to every word of every one of my songs. I didn’t know he’d been paying attention! It was a poignant reminder of who we are as a family and how we all are here for each other. It’s not me balancing work and career; it’s all four of us.

AMP: Who would you love to collaborate with and why?

I have extremely varied musical tastes. I love 90s grunge and hip hop as much as I love pure bluegrass and traditional Irish music. And of course, I will always come back to my folk heroes. I don’t consider myself to be a crossover artist, but I admire those who are. Beyoncé’s latest release was a crossover album and it is stunning. I admire her musicianship and her courage so much. So in a totally outlandish break from my folk roots, I’m going with Queen Bey.

AMP: In the same vein, if you could open for any artist, past or present, who would it be?

LIZ: John Prine, Tom Petty, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Ani DiFranco, Sheryl Crow, Lori McKenna —any of the revered folky storytelling songwriters with guitars. Me and my crazy dreams and aspirations!

AMP: What is your favorite song to perform live?

LIZ: If we’re talking about a song that I wrote, it would definitely have to be my blues song “You Did.” The 12-bar blues is universal and warrants solos, so it’s an easy one to collaborate on with other artists without them having to know my music.

AMP: If you were allowed to give only one message to your fans, what would it be?

LIZ: The parent company for our Bigger Beast record label is All Boats Rise EntertainmAMP: ent. That is the tenet of my artistry and personality: let’s support each other so all boats rise.

AMP: What’s the future look like for Liz Reed?

LIZ: As an artist: more recording, more releases with Bigger Beast, more concerts and festivals. And hopefully more collaboration. I’ve written a couple of songs with fellow BB artist Bryan Titus, which was both humbling and inspiring. I hope to write with some other folks as well.

As a mom: this is our son’s college search and application year so we have spent the summer touring schools in the northeast. Lots of big decisions coming!

As a community builder: My husband and I host a small yearly music festival in our backyard that raises money and food for our local food bank. It also supports local musicians mixed with more seasoned professionals. 2026 will be the 20th anniversary so we are planning a big celebration!

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