The indie pop phenomenon unleashes her electrifying persona using Bed Head Styling.
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Being that your sound and look as an artist is very much influenced by rock and grunge music, how do you use beauty and style to convey or express your identity?
Born and raised in a small village in the Surrey Countryside, the British-Cambodian singer-songwriter grew up listening to the sounds of unapologetic female artists along with iconic rock musicians who inspired her transfixing sound that harmoniously blends her love of varying genres and influences to form impactful, entrancing songs that act as snapshots into the artist’s life.
Since releasing “Josie,” a powerful, pop-meets-rock ballad featuring Jimmie Allen earlier this year, the self-proclaimed “Cambodian Cowgirl” has been hot on the heels of working on her first, highly-anticipated EP which is out now. Displaying her conviction as a masterful storyteller while harnessing her enchanting, seductive voice, the new EP is brimming with hypnotic beats, mesmerizing sounds, and gripping lyrics that come together to produce a symphony of rock, pop-tinged songs that take shape as personal memoirs based off of her own experiences. No matter if the musical talent is filming a music video or recording in-studio, Liza utilizes fashion and beauty as a form of artistic expression to convey her distinct sound, and foster the world she is able to build through her profound approach to music.
As a way to express her multifaceted personality, the musician stays true to her roots by creating edgy beauty looks that evoke a sense of empowerment and grunge-esque
hairstyles that allow her to push the limits and boundaries as an artist. To showcase how the rock goddess knows no bounds when expressing her utmost self with her approach to hair and beauty, HYPEBAE tapped Liza to demonstrate how she uses the Bed Head Styling Mess-Behave Deep Waver to create her free-flowing waves that she coined as her just-out-of-bed look. Amplifying her striking hairstyle in bold fashion, Liza enhanced her look with early aughts-inspired pieces like a body-hugging asymmetrical top in an aqua, metallic hue complete with zebra-printed pants along with vibrant styles like a blue, faux crocodile cropped top and coordinating skirt that was emphasized with a sheer mesh layer in a juxtaposing print to complete her final on-screen transformation.
In the latest installment of BAEwatch, Liza Owen spoke to HYPEBAE about how she moved to London at the age of seventeen to pursue a career in music, how storytelling and her ability to lyrically express herself has played a role in shaping her musical aesthetic, details surrounding the release of her forthcoming EP and how she creates her glam-grunge hairstyle to embolden her rockstar persona.
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With an undeniable prowess for storytelling and crafting captivating lyrics that exude a dose of grit, realness and raw, visceral emotions, Liza Owen is the indie pop phenomenon with no shortage of things to say, and an electric persona defined by her punk-meets-cowgirl sense of style.
Watch “Josie”
The indie pop phenomenon channels her Cambodian Cowgirl persona.
A curated playlist filled with the sounds and musical stylings of influential artists treasured by Liza Owen.
Rock Revival
Walk me through the hairstyle you created using the Bed Head Styling Mess-Behave Deep Waver.
I used the [Bed Head Styling Deep Waver] tool to enhance what I like to do naturally with my hair. It gives me this amazing, fresh out of bed look that’s beautifully set, but doesn’t look overdone. I created soft waves and left the ends [of my hair straight], which felt a bit more moody and grungy. Then, I put just a bunch of products in my hair like gel and messed it up. I don’t like my hair to look too polished or like I really tried so, the tool is nice and it worked really well with how I like to style my hair. It's just cool that my hair can be done in five minutes and I can look like I have the most bada** natural wavy, grungy hair. I feel like a boss and nobody knows that I didn’t just wake up like that.
Whether you’re performing on-stage, recording in-studio or shooting a music video, what are your signature hairstyles and beauty looks that allow you to channel your artistic vision?
I definitely don’t spend too much time on my hair and makeup in the morning. Usually, I’ll just do a quick smokey eye or like a grungy eye that feels moody and powerful to me. I like to have fresh skin, and I honestly don’t do much to my hair. I like the just out-of-bed look. I’ve been adding the Bed Head Styling [Mess-Behave Deep Waver] to [my routine] and it’s amazing. It makes my hairstyle look a little more intentional, almost like, wow “she literally had the best night’s sleep” and my waves fall so perfectly.
When I’m on stage, it’s all about being free, being able to move and jump around. I’m going to get sweaty and I’m going to rock the f**k out. There’s going to be head-banging, so there’s no point in doing a hairstyle that’s not going to work with how I perform. Usually, my hair is down, messy and a little bit grungy, and I’ll put gel in my hair to just let it be free, and to do what it wants to do while I’m performing. For a music video, that’s where I really get to have fun and do some cool stuff, and I’m down to try anything. So for the “Josie” video, I had this ‘60s blonde beehive which was this incredible wig and I loved it because it was this strong bold look. And, then for my “Getting Good” video, I had these crazy, long braids which were more punk. I think in my music videos, I’m able to create amazing looks that [embody] the character I want to be that day. I'm always trying to take risks, push my boundaries and explore, and learn more.
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No matter if the musical talent is filming a music video or recording in-studio, Liza utilizes fashion and beauty as a form of artistic expression to convey her distinct sound,
I love fashion, I love clothes and I love makeup, and I think it’s another form of art. It’s another tool and way for me to express myself. When I’m getting ready in the morning, it's almost like putting on a costume. I’m like alright, I want to be this bada** b***h today, let me put on this outfit that empowers me and makes me feel that way, and I put that much weight into everyday. It doesn’t have to be a crazy outfit, but I definitely dress depending on my mood and however, I’m feeling that day. With visuals, I often picture what the music video for a song may be as we’re writing it or as it’s happening. I think fashion plays such a big role in painting the overall picture and being able to pull people into the world that I’m in.
In addition to fashion, how does beauty play a role in how you creatively express yourself?
To me, beauty is an extension of my art. I’m in the business of storytelling so I love how you can dress up a certain way and it tells a story about yourself. I’ve always loved movies and characters and I’ve looked up to artists who were bold and iconic with their costume and beauty choices. [Beauty is] another fun way for me to be expressive and build a world around my music.
I’ve been adding the Bed Head Styling [Mess-Behave Deep Waver] to [my routine] and it’s amazing. It makes my hairstyle look a little more intentional, almost like, wow ‘she literally had the best night’s sleep’
TOP: ANNA SLEVIN COLLECTION Aqua metallic top. PANT: ANNA SLEVIN COLLECTION White zebra leggings. JEWELRY: Ale Bremer Corazon Bolo tie necklace, Stylist’s own silver chain necklace. Machete silver link bracelet. Stylist’s own silver chain bracelet. Talent’s own rings. BOOTS: SOCIAL-WORK boots.
My household was such a melting pot of amazing different types of music. My mum would listen to a bunch of iconic female artists like Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and she also loved the Bee Gees and she would play country music in the house. My brother was really into grunge, rock and he would listen to Oasis, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and I fell in love with rock music through him. I was obsessed with bada** women like Alanis Morissette, Dolly Parton, Gwen Stefani and iconic women who had a lot to say through their music, and weren’t afraid to say it.
Who are some of your musical influences that inspired you growing up?
TOP: AREA Crystal trim heart top. PANT: AGolde Criss Cross jeans. JEWELRY: Rodarte Crystal chain padlock necklace. Ale Bremer Corazon Bolo tie necklace. LEFT ARM: Machete gold link bracelet. Stylist’s own rings. RIGHT ARM: Machete silver link bracelet. Stylist’s own rings. Stylist’s own tiger print gloves. Stylist’s own fishnet tights. Talent’s own cowgirl hat.
That’s cool. Isn’t it funny how toughness can be perceived as a negative thing if you’re a woman? If a woman is tough, if a woman knows what she wants and if a woman says, “I want this” or “I don’t want that” she can be perceived as stubborn or difficult. If it’s a man, it’s not even a question. I like that we are in a day and age where that can be celebrated in a woman, I think a lot more.
When I listen to your music and even how you present yourself, there’s this underlying toughness (and I mean that in the best way possible) where you’re exuding this bada** nature.
TOP: MIA VESPER Faux croc top. OMIGHTY mesh top. BOTTOM: MIA VESPER Faux croc mini skirt. JEWELRY: Left ear: Heaven by Marc Jacobs earring. RIGHT EAR: Demarson pave Luna earrings. LEFT ARM: Machete gold link bracelet. Stylist’s own rings. RIGHT ARM: Machete silver link bracelet. Stylist’s own rings. NECKLACES: Stylist own gold necklace. Lucia Pearl Barbell toggle necklace. Talent’s own gold necklace. BOOTS: Daniella Shevel patent ankle wrap heel.
At what age, did you decide to leave home and head to London to pursue a career in music?
I grew up in a tiny, tiny town in the South of England, like a village. There were farms surrounded by hills and there was one shop. It was amazing and a beautiful place to grow up, but there wasn’t a lot going on and it was very sheltered. I just couldn't wait to get the f**k out. I was like nothing's going to happen for me here, I need to get to London because that's where it's at. I was seventeen, just about to turn eighteen when I moved to London. I enrolled in music school just to have an excuse to get out there and I dropped out in six months.
I just started hustling, meeting people, going to gigs and got to experience so many new things. Musically, the culture in London is incredible. It's mind blowing. Any genre of music you want, you can find it there. I met a bunch of producers and got into the recording studio and started writing songs. London was the place where I really started recording music for the first time properly, and my own songs that I had written which was the coolest thing ever, and I was able to put out a couple of songs in London.
How did making the jump to Los Angeles allow you to flourish as a musician and how did you get into songwriting?
A&R in Los Angeles had heard some of my demos and they were like “we want to fly you out, will you come to L.A.?” and I was like “holy sh*t, yes I’ll come, I’ve never been.” When I got out there, every single person I was supposed to meet canceled on me except for one person who was, writer Ali Tamposi. I ended up hitting it off with her and signing a publishing deal with her and she became my sister, my mentor and she’s played such a huge part in my career. During that time, I was able to meet with producers and people who I wanted to create music with, and it was such a cool time for me. I threw myself into the world of learning and I think I’ve always been a songwriter at heart, and it really is a craft. Through writing for myself and other artists, I’ve been able to grow infinitely. You have to work with everyone to find your people, and most [recording] sessions are really good, some are amazing, and some are f**king terrible.
London was the place where I really started recording music for the first time properly, and my own songs that I had written which was the coolest thing ever,
I would say it is unapologetic lyrically because I'm a storyteller. It's indie pop, indie rock pop and I have a lot of different influences. But, the key thing for me as an artist and as a human, is that I really love to tell a story. Every single song is something that’s actually happened, and I’ve lived through. I don’t put out songs that I have no connection with at all. My last single “Josie” is about some real sh*t that I went through, and for the lyrics I needed it to be raw and honest. It gets me in trouble sometimes. I can’t even be like “take it with a pinch of salt” because people who know me know that [it’s true]. Sonically, [my music] is changing with time. I have a new EP coming out in August that I just finished and I’m so excited for that to come out.
How would you describe your approach to music? And, would you say that your songs are like personal memoirs, but in music form?
What was the creative process like when working on your new EP and how did your affinity for storytelling play a role in shaping the music?
All of the songs on this new EP were written in a really short frame of time and were written really close together in an area that I live in Los Angeles called Monte Nido. [The process] was very fun, very freeing and very therapeutic. I decided no topic was off limits so it allowed me to go to places I hadn’t been before. My only must was that I was lyrically authentic to whatever I was going through. I mostly tried to write about [how I was] feeling in the moment rather than delving into stories from the past so that the EP really felt like a snapshot of this moment in my life. It was important for me to allow myself to feel it all — be vulnerable, sad, happy, angry and whatever I needed to get out of me and just be honest.
Sonically, [the EP] pulls from so many different genres and influences that I grew up [listening to], but I love how we were able to be creative in that way and still mesh it all together in a way that works. I made the whole EP with the writing collective I’m a part of called ASL (which includes John Ryan, Julian Bunetta, Afterhrs and Shungudzo), and my other key collaborators Paul Phamous and Ali Tamposi. These guys are my family. I’m so comfortable around them and they me inside and out. It was cool to make something that shows every side of me with people that know those sides of me so well. That’s such an important thing when it comes to making music. I was also able to collaborate with an artist I’m a huge fan of so I’m excited for everyone to hear that.
It was important for me to allow myself to feel it all — be vulnerable, sad, happy, angry and whatever I needed to get out of me and just be honest.
I think if the pandemic didn’t happen, I might have continued writing for a few months by trying to “beat” what I already had [created] and perhaps some of these songs never would have seen the light of day — who knows. I really really love this music and I put all of myself into it, and it’s sad to think they may have ended up on a hard drive like so many songs do. I think that was a little divine intervention there. So, I guess I learned to lean into my gut and intuition when it comes to creating [music] a little more. If a song gives you this instant magical feeling when you hear it back, trust that feeling. Also, the music I grew up on really stayed with me and inspired me, and sonically [the EP] feels very nostalgic to me. Even though the lyrics talk very much about where I’m at in the present, each song teleports me back to a different place in my life, none of which was intentional.
What do you learn about yourself as an artist and musician when recording and making your new EP?
Behind the Scenes
Get an inside-look at how the singer-songwriter gets ready using Bed Head Styling Mess-Behave Deep Waver to perfect her glam-grunge look.
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