10 Questions: Ivory Layne on Creativity & Songwriting

"I believe it’s just as important to make time to truly live as it is to write songs about living."

Ivory Layne is a young artist with an old soul. She grew up in North Carolina, and as a teenager began writing songs and teaching herself music production. Fast forward to 2015, while living in Nashville she was signed to Justin Timberlake’s artist development company Villa40. Most recently, she travelled to London to work with producer Liam Howe on new music, including her latest releases Boy Loves Me, Heaven, and Me.

Artists of any age can find inspiration in Layne as a songwriter and producer. Sharp and prolific, her music has flavors of her influences—Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, Coldplay, and Imogen Heap—while also taking on a life of its own. We love how her songs have an ear worm pop sensibility but with more emotional depth than most pop songs deliver.

In the writer’s room and on stage, Layne is endearing and captivating, strong and sweet. She flexes her independence, while still showing vulnerability. We can’t wait to hear what she releases next! 

Cause I can be strong like the waves on the sand
And I can be tough, I can thicken my skin
Cause I’ve always played to my own melody
But I love when a boy loves me

 

- "Boy Loves Me" by Ivory Layne

10 Questions: Ivory Layne on Creativity & Songwriting

1. When you sit down to write a song, which elements tend to come first (melody, concept, title, lyrics, chords, beat, etc.)?

It tends to be case by case for songs, but lately I’ve started with a concept or line in my mind.

2. How often do you write? Do you have a regular routine, or do you do it only when you’re feeling inspired?

I try to write something every day, even if it’s a few seconds long. Feeling inspired is always a plus, but I’m a big believer in repetition and creative discipline so that when the eureka-moment arrives I can focus fully on the idea instead of the mechanics.

3. Do you have any practices that help you find inspiration and collect ideas?

Books and film are my favorites for inspiration—I find reading replenishes my vocabulary and familiarizes me with different phrasing, while movies and TV broaden my imagination and allow me to walk around in someone else’s shoes. 

As far as collecting ideas, my phone is my salvation. My Voice Memo library is chock-full of mumbling nonsense, and I’m writing run-on sentences in my Notes app at least three times a week.

4. Have you ever felt creatively blocked and what did/do you do to overcome it?

I get creatively blocked often! I think that’s part of getting past the block—realizing it’s normal and temporary. Kind of like when you can’t fall asleep late at night . . . if you stress yourself out about being awake, the insomnia will only get worse! I like to look at my creative input/output ratio—have I been having more writing sessions than social outings? Have I been giving myself time to read, watch, see friends, and get my artistic well replenished? I believe it’s just as important to make time to truly live as it is to write songs about living.

If my ratio’s in balance, the next culprit could be mental. My mind has a sneaky way of sometimes refusing to write vulnerably and raw, only skimming surface subjects. For me, poetry and stream-of-consciousness journaling is a fabulous way to dig deep and uncover emotions and ideas I didn’t even know I was experiencing. It also takes the pressure off of having to write in the constraints of rhythm, melody, and linear formatting. I’ve recently integrated poetry into my week, at least once or twice, and have seen dramatic changes in my cowriting and solo writing. 

5. Do you like to collaborate with other artists and in what capacity does collaboration work best for you?

I do! I enjoy the puzzle of writing for other artists, figuring out how to collectively craft a song that they will love and that their audience will connect with. Apart from writing, I love performing with my artist friends—I recently toured with my pal, Andrew McMahon, and getting up onstage with him every night was a joy I didn’t even know existed! To be welcomed into another artist’s world is something I hold special.

6. Are there any non-musical things you do that affect your art?

I’ve recently gotten back into painting, which helps me de-stress and feel like I have an outlet for creativity outside of music. I take a long walk almost every day to clear my head and remember there’s a world outside my studio! And I try to take care of myself, making sure I’m eating/sleeping well and connecting with fellow humans. Prioritizing my health, body and mind makes writing easier for me.

7. How do you know when a song is done?

I just know . . . gut-feeling. 

8. What do you think your strengths are as a songwriter and how do you play to those strengths?

I’ve always been a fast writer and usually bring in ideas, so I love to write with producers. They work on the track, and I write the lyric and melody in the back of the room—if we get to a place where I share what I’ve written and they aren’t feeling it, I can quickly go back and rewrite to suit their vision without losing much time. 

9. What do you think your weaknesses are as a songwriter and how have you worked around them or worked to improve them?

Because I’m fast, I can be impatient. It’s easy for me to finish a song for the sake of being done with the session. To break the habit, I try not to rush to finish songs anymore. When I’m working alone, I’ll keep the strongest parts and save them for the next day. Quality over quantity. 

10. What is one important lesson you have learned through your experiences as a songwriter?

To me, a songwriter shares the same purpose as an artist, to offer a unique and personal perspective to the world. It’s invaluable to stay true to myself and that perspective, allowing my writing voice to grow with me, but never to morph with a trend or under the pressure from someone else. 

11. BONUS Question: How are you finding your creativity in the time of COVID-19?

I’ve found creativity in quarantine to be my way of processing. Where I used to be more strict with subject matter—“let me think of something a bit more out-of-the-box!”—I now find myself leaning into whatever pricks my heart at the moment, no matter how messy or cliche. Melodic therapy. I’ve also been sharing more full-length songs over social media, which has made me realize honesty and vulnerability really does connect, especially when we’re all experiencing similar emotions together. I’m one of those people who prefers a hug to a handshake, so I like to think of my songs as sonic embraces during the loneliness and isolation. 

Favorite song to dance to: “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn
Favorite song to make out to: “Higher Love” by James Vincent McMorrow
Favorite song to cry to: “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton
Favorite song to work out to: “Stand By” by LORYN
Favorite song to drive to: “Cornflake Girl” by Tori Amos

Follow Ivory online:

instagram.com/ivorylayne
ivorylayne.com
Spotify

photos by Cedrick Jones.