Lila Forde’s childhood bedroom, a vibrant shade of pink, serves as a nostalgic backdrop to her inspiring journey as a singer/songwriter.
Now an established artist living in Los Angeles, Forde reminisces about her early days in Seattle, where her father now conducts Zoom meetings in her iconic pink room, once filled with gnomes, fairies, and her beloved Beatles memorabilia.
Growing up in the heart of the Phinney Ridge neighborhood during Seattle’s influential grunge era, Forde initially struggled to find her unique voice among the louder musical influences of the time.
Despite the vibrant music scene around her, Forde faced challenges as she navigated her vocal identity, particularly facing discouragement from choir directors who believed her voice was too soft.
Reflecting on this difficult period, she recalled, “I had this sort of traumatic choir director guy who really wanted me to sing really belty and loud and he was always telling me my voice was weak.”
Later, while attending college, she received similar feedback from a professor who insisted that her voice was inadequate.
This conflicting feedback led Forde to question her abilities, fraught with uncertainty about her chosen path.
However, a pivotal moment arrived when a wise instructor offered her life-changing advice, stating that her perceived weakness could actually be her greatest strength.
With newfound confidence, Forde was encouraged to shift her vocal range, which ultimately allowed her to discover the true essence of her voice.
This moment of revelation proved transformative, enabling her authentic sound to shine through, a breathy, folky, and soulful voice that eventually captured the attention of viewers and critics alike during Season 24 of The Voice.
Forde’s unique vocal style particularly impressed her coach, John Legend, leading her to finish in fifth place on the prestigious singing competition.
Her talents came to a public spotlight when she had the honor of performing the national anthem at a Seattle Seahawks game in December 2024, further solidifying her emerging status in the music world.
Now, with the release of her debut album, VESSEL, Forde is forging her path in the industry, producing a body of work reflective of her journey toward self-discovery and artistic expression.
The album, which showcases her signature sound, begins with the soulful single “Temptation,” a piece that Legend championed as the album’s leading track.
Forde describes VESSEL as a personal declaration, conveying, “this is me and you can take it or leave it.”
In addition to the personal growth represented in her music, themes of spirituality permeate the entire album.
Forde elaborates, “Spirituality flavored the water I was drinking from the start, and it’s played a really special role in my life, to which I’m very grateful.”
She credits these spiritual beliefs with giving her the strength and unwavering confidence to pursue her dreams.
Having initially financed her album through a grassroots Kickstarter campaign, Forde stresses the importance of building a foundation for success, illustrated by the track “Brick by Brick.”
Through this message, she emphasizes the idea that lasting achievements are constructed step by step, reinforcing the sense of dedication and hard work she values.
One journey through the album is the powerful title track “Vessel,” which she describes as deeply meaningful, aiming to evoke a sense of reverence and emotion in listeners.
Forde states, “I wanted it to be sort of reverent and for people to feel it in their hearts and to know that this is something that’s deep.”
Despite navigating the fast-paced and ever-evolving nature of the music industry, Forde remains grounded in her spirituality as a source of stability.
She remarks, “In this world and in this environment where everybody’s going viral, even with The Voice, it was like a flash in the pan.”
Forde understands the fleeting nature of fame, recognizing the importance of building something significant that endures beyond momentary success.
With steadfast faith in her abilities and a commitment to her art, she confidently believes her journey is just beginning.
Forde concludes, “I know it’s going to take me to the highest places.”
image source from：https://seattlemag.com/seattle-culture/seattles-very-own-lila-forde-shines-bright-on-enchanting-new-album-vessel/
