Pop Princess Liv Bec Talks Viral Exes, the "Cool Girl" Myth, and Finding Your Voice
Hi Liv!! We are so thrilled to have you at Pop Palace! How are you at this moment?
Thank you for having me. The second I saw Pop Palace I was so into it. I’m doing okay! There’s a lot going on in the world, and I think we’re all exhausted. But art and music must continue on and be used for good. So I’m feeling inspired as well.
What is your earliest memory you have with music?
My earliest memory involving music was when my mother was given a piano from her witch friend. I swear she blessed it. My sister sat down with me, it wasn’t even in my house at that point, but in the garage, and she taught me Mary Had a little Lamb. I think I was maybe 4?
I am SO OBSESSED with Telephone, can you give us the inside scoop on the stories behind the music?
Honestly, this song came from so much tea. I’d been broken up from a horrible ex for about six months. He went viral with a diss track about me, full of lies, and spent months harassing me and even my family online. It was one of the hardest times of my life, watching him spin a false narrative and get cheered on by other men.I stayed quiet and graceful throughout most of it. I came out so much cooler, though. Then one day, I got a message from a girl in an “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” group. She had just been gaslit and ghosted by my ex, and wanted to compare notes to make sure she wasn’t crazy. We met up, swapped stories, and when I left, I got in my car, lit a cigarette, and literally evil-villain-laughed the whole way home. I can’t even explain it, I just felt powerful. Like I was the queen of the exes. That was the moment “telephone”started brewing. A song about how women can come together, reclaim theirpower. And those who do you wrong may hold the power for a bit, but everyone will eventually see them for who they really are. Writing this song was very much me visualizing his whole little empire crumbling down, and finally deciding not to stay quiet anymore.
I love the idea and message of EASY, was there an experience you had that led you to creating this track?
It all started with this poem i wrote:
he wants her easy
like sunday morning
like a big smile
a YES woman
like blue jeans and a flowy white top
like a doormat
like a punching bag
he wants her without views or opinions
he wants her pretty
easy to look at
easy
he wants her light as a feather
he wants her without rage
he wants her without problems
he wants her without issues
he wants her fists tied behind her back
no fighting no problems
easy
he won’t let her confront
or show him a mirror
or ask him for more
can’t she just be happy
can’t she just be chill
easy
he wants her chill
he wants her chill
can’t we just be happy together .
I wish I could say it’s just this generation, but it’s always been this way. Men want a girl who’s “easy” not too much trouble, not too much pressure, just someone who exists to make them feel good, not someone who challenges them. They love to romanticize the powerhouse, artsy, tattooed woman, but when it gets real, they usually can’t handle her. I was always asked, “Can’t we just be happy?” as if women don’t want that too. I pulled a lot of inspiration from the “Cool Girl” monologue in Gone Girl. That idea of being the low-maintenance, beer-drinking, always-chill girlfriend, never complaining, never asking for more, never reacting even when mistreated, it’s a performance women are expected to give, and I’ve seen it everywhere. Even on dating apps: “Looking for a chill girl.” But the truth is, women are starting to wake up to this. And I hope this song helps.
How does your personal identity play into your music?
I come from a Cuban family, and I’ve always been the loudest. The women in my family have a fire like I’ve never seen. We refuse to be unheard. And when I do, I always get my side of the story out through music.
What is your dream venue to perform at?
I’m not sure if it’s a specific venue, but somewhere that no one has before. Somewhere really sick and unique. I don’t mind where it is, as long as people are feeling and singing.
When creating new music how do you come up with new ideas and brainstorm?
Typically I write it all out like the poem you see above. I splatter all my thoughts on a page about a situation, and it doesn’t need to be my experience! Right now I am in the process of writing a song about an incel that bothered one of my friends!! Rage plays into my music so much, even if it’s not an angry song. I really try to be the voice of the unheard whenever I can. I feel as if it is my duty.
If you're not making music what are you spending your spare time doing?
I LOVE fortnite. That’s my relaxation time, even though I am screaming at the screen the whole time. I fight Muay Thai as well, and will be training in Thailand in the Spring. It’s such a beautiful sport. I think everyone should try it. It’s taught me humility, and how to be in touch with my body and mind. I read like crazy, especially fantasy. My family and friends are huge in my life. Anything with them is awesome, axe-throwing, horseback-riding, traveling, playing pool, throwing darts. I try to lead an adventurous life.
Finally, here at Pop Palace, we all have our own little 'Royal Court' of artists who inspire us and keep us going. So, if you could build your own musical palace, who would be sitting on your throne, and who would be in your royal court of all-time favorite artists?
This is a crazy amazing question and will definitely take me an hour.
I would have my band. James Martorana, Jillian Enes, and Evan Alfano with me. They are my rock, and continue to inspire me every day with their artistry and souls! Then I’d add my Abuelo, who escaped Cuba with his children, and continued to be an artist, rebel, engineer, and fiery-hearted hero. Then, I’d go a little crazy and add Gerard Way on the throne. I think he really understands using music as a revolutionary tool, and his mind and lyrics are brilliant. Amy Winehouse, because I think she would understand the suffering of an artist’s soul like no one else. I’d add Cage the Elephant, U2, Boston, Badflower, Lola Young, Kings of Leon, Bad Bunny. How many chairs are there?
