Singer-songwriter Lila Forde shares insights into her captivating, alluring debut album ‘VESSEL,’ a stunningly beautiful work grounded in profound, timeless elements and her unwavering “Americana soul.” Rooted in authenticity and illuminated by purpose, these songs reinforce her ambition to become an enduring artist whose music resonates long after the final note has faded.
Stream: “Brick by Brick” – Lila Forde
“I want to be a timeless artist… someone whose songs still mean something 50 years from now.”
With her debut album, Lila Forde starts her journey exactly where all timeless music begins: in the intensity of emotion, the core of intention, and the honesty of self-expression.
Independently released on May 9th, VESSEL serves as a soul-infused introduction – smoldering, grounded, and spiritually vibrant. Lila Forde not only sings; she invokes. Her voice radiates with raw, unrefined passion, honoring the past while presenting it in the present with remarkable clarity and warmth. This record embodies openness and the acceptance of every emotion, honoring all influences. Passionate yet graceful, bold but profoundly vulnerable, VESSEL captures the sentiment of fully - and unapologetically - embracing oneself.
Some artists find music; for Lila Forde, music discovered her - and it has been calling her ever since. Growing up in a spiritually rich, music-filled household in Seattle, she spent her childhood without a television and with her feet in nature – the daughter of musicians and meditation instructors who fostered her curiosity, mindfulness, and creative freedom. Years of jazz education, choir harmonies, and folk influences helped craft her unique sound – now described as “Americana soul”: A rich blend of jazz, R&B, folk, and narrative-driven rhythms. With a voice as smooth as honey and a distinct vision, Forde’s songs embody both familiarity and fierce originality – timeless in their intent and rooted in something more profound than fleeting trends.
Forde penned the tracks on VESSEL in the years following her graduation from jazz school – a “wild, free, and wonderful” transition filled with heartache and creative exploration. She funded the album through a grassroots Kickstarter campaign, raising $16,000 from early supporters who believed in her vision before she gained national recognition. “I took that into the studio for the first time, and those three days were some of the best of my life. I’m so thrilled that the fruits of that experience are finally out in the world,” she tells Atwood Magazine.
Recorded over three exciting days in early 2023, VESSEL emerged alongside producer Aidan Carroll and a carefully chosen group of musicians who understood Forde’s vision and infused the right energy into the space. “It was all about vibes – the right musicians, the right location, and the right emotional dynamic,” she reflects. “Aidan and I conducted extensive pre-production – perfecting arrangements, instrumentation, and the overall mood. But like any living, breathing entity, the record transformed. We cut two songs, re-recorded one, and allowed the process to evolve. That shift was part of the magic.”
At the core of the album lies the concept of surrender – of being present for the music and allowing it to flow through you. “I want to be a vessel for the music,” Forde states. “I’m here to serve it.” This idea became both the foundation and the title of her debut. “Vessel represents everything I aim to be as an artist,” she explains. “I want to remain open – open enough for the music to flow through me, like a download from the universe. It's easier said than done, but the ultimate goal is to step aside so the music can express itself through me.”
“This album was my first significant experience with truly tapping in,” she continues. “It felt as if these songs arrived for me, not from me. All I could do was strive to honor them.”
In this way, VESSEL not only introduces Lila Forde – it embodies her. She honestly describes the album as catchy, sincere, and liberating. “I feel there’s a bit of everything on this record – vulnerability, playfulness, introspection, honesty, flirtation, and joy,” she shares. “That’s all me. So in a sense, this record is like saying, ‘Here I am – take it or leave it.’”
If VESSEL reflects Lila Forde’s complete artistic essence, its songs are the hues with which she paints – rich in texture, tone, and emotional depth.
The journey from “Temptation” to “The Masquerade Is Over” is filled with highlights, with each track adding layers to her narrative while showcasing diverse aspects of her voice.
The album opens dramatically with “Temptation,” which is flirty, sultry, and infused with retro soul. Inspired
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Singer/songwriter Lila Forde shares insights about her captivating debut album 'VESSEL,' a stunningly beautiful work grounded in profound, timeless influences and her unwavering “Americana soul.” With a foundation of sincerity and guided by purpose, these tracks embody her aspiration to be an enduring artist whose music resonates long after the final note ends.