Lily Mae

Seventeen-year-old songwriter Lily Mae has already wowed the FFS New Bands Panel and now she’s back to melt our frozen winter hearts with this beautiful song of the season. Mae’s classic stylings have recently caught the ear of Bruce Lundvall, the president emeritus of Blue Note Records, and all the signs suggest 2014 could be her year. Stay tuned. - For Folk's Sake

Seventeen-year-old songwriter Lily Mae has already wowed the FFS New Bands Panel and now she’s back to melt our frozen winter hearts with this beautiful song of the season. Mae’s classic stylings have recently caught the ear of Bruce Lundvall, the president emeritus of Blue Note Records, and all the signs suggest 2014 could be her year. Stay tuned. - For Folk's Sake

"Lily Mae has a signature voice, writes excellent songs, and is a future star." - Blue Note Records

"Lily Mae has a signature voice, writes excellent songs, and is a future star." - Blue Note Records

Being a teenager can be awkward enough, and sharing the stage with your favorite musician or performing as the opening act for internationally recognized acts must be harrowing at that age. Unless, of course, that teenager’s most embarrassing moment on stage already happened when she was a toddler.

“I was 4 years old and I asked my mom to write a solo for me in the play she was writing,” recalled singer-songwriter Lily Mae. Now 17, the Furlong resident says she barely remembers the experience, save for her very first performance: “I walked out and fell flat on my face.”

Fortunately, Mae has come a long way from that debut. Since picking up the guitar two years ago, the pastoral acoustic guitar and ethereal singing on her debut EP, Early Days, has been featured on the regional tastemaker radio station WXPN. Mae’s performed at clubs in New York City and folk festivals in the Delaware Valley. Her favorite singer, Jenny Owens Young, sang on stage with her during Mae’s own birthday performance, and Mae got to open for Young a few weeks ago in New Jersey. This month, Mae is making her debut at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, opening for internationally renowned artist Joan Osborne.

“This is just the best job I could ever ask for,” said Mae. “To play music and have people listen to it is a dream. I want to work really hard so I can do it forever.”

For Mae, the dream job started with a fan letter and a blanket fort. When she was 15, Mae wrote an email to Young, telling her how much she enjoyed her music. Young responded, and the two kept chatting. “She was so nice. That left a huge mark on me,” she explained. That summer, Mae said she “lived in my room and learned all her songs on guitar.”

Later, Mae sent a recording of her playing a Young song to her idol, who posted it on her website. “We had been talking for a while and we’re friends now, but that was the first time she had any idea that I was a musician, too,” explained Mae.

Inspired, Mae combined her burgeoning songwriting skills with poetry written by her older sister, Chloe. “I decided I didn’t have enough life experience to write about my own life, and she was taking a creative writing class at the time,” Mae explained. She began writing music to Chloe’s poems, and said they composed their first song together in her room under the blanket fort in her room “that stayed strong for a year and a half.”

The linen structure may be down, but Mae’s goals – and hopes – are way up. Crediting amazing support from her family – both her parents are musicians – and friends, she plans to record a new album over the next few months and release three singles by the summer. “It’s going to have a ton of musicians on it,” she said, but she’s most excited about having Elliott Jacobson, the New York-based drummer and producer who has worked with Young among many others.

Mae hopes to release the album next fall and then tour as much as she can to support it.

“That’s the plan: music,” she says. But, until then she’ll be concerned with a different agenda: education.

This year, Mae is a high school senior at Solebury School, where her star is already starting to shine. “I’m already starting to get a lot of questions, like where I’ll be playing next and if I ever have time to do my homework,” she laughed. This year, she says many of the underclassmen aren’t used to seeing her around in school. “We were at an assembly and one kid was like, ‘Hey, that’s Lily Mae!’” she recalled. “It’s been pretty cool.”

Check out Lily Mae online at http://www.lilymaemusic.com - The Midweek Wire

Being a teenager can be awkward enough, and sharing the stage with your favorite musician or performing as the opening act for internationally recognized acts must be harrowing at that age. Unless, of course, that teenager’s most embarrassing moment on stage already happened when she was a toddler.

“I was 4 years old and I asked my mom to write a solo for me in the play she was writing,” recalled singer-songwriter Lily Mae. Now 17, the Furlong resident says she barely remembers the experience, save for her very first performance: “I walked out and fell flat on my face.”

Fortunately, Mae has come a long way from that debut. Since picking up the guitar two years ago, the pastoral acoustic guitar and ethereal singing on her debut EP, Early Days, has been featured on the regional tastemaker radio station WXPN. Mae’s performed at clubs in New York City and folk festivals in the Delaware Valley. Her favorite singer, Jenny Owens Young, sang on stage with her during Mae’s own birthday performance, and Mae got to open for Young a few weeks ago in New Jersey. This month, Mae is making her debut at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, opening for internationally renowned artist Joan Osborne.

“This is just the best job I could ever ask for,” said Mae. “To play music and have people listen to it is a dream. I want to work really hard so I can do it forever.”

For Mae, the dream job started with a fan letter and a blanket fort. When she was 15, Mae wrote an email to Young, telling her how much she enjoyed her music. Young responded, and the two kept chatting. “She was so nice. That left a huge mark on me,” she explained. That summer, Mae said she “lived in my room and learned all her songs on guitar.”

Later, Mae sent a recording of her playing a Young song to her idol, who posted it on her website. “We had been talking for a while and we’re friends now, but that was the first time she had any idea that I was a musician, too,” explained Mae.

Inspired, Mae combined her burgeoning songwriting skills with poetry written by her older sister, Chloe. “I decided I didn’t have enough life experience to write about my own life, and she was taking a creative writing class at the time,” Mae explained. She began writing music to Chloe’s poems, and said they composed their first song together in her room under the blanket fort in her room “that stayed strong for a year and a half.”

The linen structure may be down, but Mae’s goals – and hopes – are way up. Crediting amazing support from her family – both her parents are musicians – and friends, she plans to record a new album over the next few months and release three singles by the summer. “It’s going to have a ton of musicians on it,” she said, but she’s most excited about having Elliott Jacobson, the New York-based drummer and producer who has worked with Young among many others.

Mae hopes to release the album next fall and then tour as much as she can to support it.

“That’s the plan: music,” she says. But, until then she’ll be concerned with a different agenda: education.

This year, Mae is a high school senior at Solebury School, where her star is already starting to shine. “I’m already starting to get a lot of questions, like where I’ll be playing next and if I ever have time to do my homework,” she laughed. This year, she says many of the underclassmen aren’t used to seeing her around in school. “We were at an assembly and one kid was like, ‘Hey, that’s Lily Mae!’” she recalled. “It’s been pretty cool.”

Check out Lily Mae online at http://www.lilymaemusic.com - The Midweek Wire

Lily Mae is a 16 year old contemporary folk singer-songwriter from Bucks County, PA. Performing since the age of 4 she has developed a confidence that shines through her music taking inspiration from the likes of Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Carole King. Whilst those influences give her music a classic sound and feel it is her personal character that shines through making her début EP ‘Early Days‘ so very captivating.

Vocally Lily swings between octaves calling to mind the likes of Joni Mitchell and Laura Marling…it’s one thing to be able sing that way but it’s quite another to know when to use it. She does this faultlessly throughout, she gets inside those lyrics adding emotional depths at the right spine tingling moments that make the beautiful lyrics (written by sister Chloe) all the more brighter and moving. In terms of showcasing her ability this EP works wonders, ‘Lost at Sea‘ and ‘Søren‘ are stand-out tracks the latter relating to philosopher Søren Kierkegaard.

Interview

The EP left us wanting to know more so we asked Lily for an interview, which she agreed to…we unexpectedly got two for the price of one as Lily’s sister Chloe also chipped-in with some insight into the lyrics she writes…a perfect family partnership, one which involves a deeply shared passion (and wavelength)…and blanket forts!

Our first question had to be about family influence, how else could someone get involved in music so young…”My family is, indeed, very musical!” Lily confirmed. “My dad is a bass player; he wrote the bass method book, “Slap it! Funk Studies for the Electric Bass.” My mom is a professional musician and songwriter who has had songs covered by Diana Ross, Al Jarreau, and Kool and the Gang. In fact, one of my earliest memories is sitting in my mom’s guitar case and staring at her, in awe, while she played for me. …Let’s just say, my house was never quiet!”

Thankfully there is an active folk scene where Lily lives as well as great venues to see live music including New Hope Winery, Sellersville Theater, World Cafe Live some of which she’ll be playing at she announces excitedly. This led nicely onto her influences…

“Joni Mitchell was an early influence and remains at the very top of my “What would _____ do?” list. There is also a group of musicians, Jenny Owen Youngs, Bess Rogers, and Dan Romer, that have been incredibly supportive of me and influential to everything that I do. And of course, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Laura Marling have all been significant to my writing style because how could one listen to them and NOT be influenced?”

The lyrics to Early Days are very poetic so I was curious as to whether there were ay particular literary figures who had maybe inspired her…at this point she proudly handed over to her lyricist and 19 year old sister, Chloe who is in her first year at Barnard College.

“I started writing lyrics mostly as a result of a creative writing class that I took in high school. I was writing and reading a lot of poetry (I love Phillip Larkin and Louise Gluck) but I found that my poems were better suited as lyrics. I’m most inspired by Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and Laura Marling. I love how they find inventive and honest ways to tell stories and make hard emotions like anger and loss beautiful.”
The song “Søren” was one of the stand out tracks for me and a surprising focus…”We wrote Søren last March while I wanted to be a Philosophy major” Chloe explains, “I was very interested in existentialism (as any graduating high school student should be) and I had been reading about Søren Kierkegaard. It’s about existential angst and the overwhelming moments when you become aware of your own power.

“And for some reason, it feels important enough to let it be known that Søren was written in one (long) sitting in our permanent blanket fort. …Yes, we have a blanket fort!”

Lily adds a bit more insight into their relationship which they are both clearly proud of…”Chloe and I are always on the same wavelength, and because of that, our writing process is very conversational (and sometimes involves mime).”

It was not until “Lost at Sea” that I made a Laura Marling comparison but one which is surely there…”Laura Marling is absolutely a force of influence behind my writing style” Lily confirms. “I’m a fan! Whenever I’m writing a song, I go with whatever melody comes out first, and then I try to attack it logically in a way that will highlight and make it more interesting to listen to. I think that’s where Laura Marling and Joni Mitchell’s influence seeps through–my obsession with a, hopefully, colorful melody.”

We finish off on some trivia questions:

What album are you listening to?
It’s funny because from the sound of my music, one might not expect an indie rock album, but “An Unwavering Band of Light” by Jenny Owen Youngs (produced by Dan Romer) has been my musical anthem for the past year!

What book are you reading?
Am I allowed to say The Norton Anthology of Americ - Folk Radio UK

Lily Mae is a 16 year old contemporary folk singer-songwriter from Bucks County, PA. Performing since the age of 4 she has developed a confidence that shines through her music taking inspiration from the likes of Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Carole King. Whilst those influences give her music a classic sound and feel it is her personal character that shines through making her début EP ‘Early Days‘ so very captivating.

Vocally Lily swings between octaves calling to mind the likes of Joni Mitchell and Laura Marling…it’s one thing to be able sing that way but it’s quite another to know when to use it. She does this faultlessly throughout, she gets inside those lyrics adding emotional depths at the right spine tingling moments that make the beautiful lyrics (written by sister Chloe) all the more brighter and moving. In terms of showcasing her ability this EP works wonders, ‘Lost at Sea‘ and ‘Søren‘ are stand-out tracks the latter relating to philosopher Søren Kierkegaard.

Interview

The EP left us wanting to know more so we asked Lily for an interview, which she agreed to…we unexpectedly got two for the price of one as Lily’s sister Chloe also chipped-in with some insight into the lyrics she writes…a perfect family partnership, one which involves a deeply shared passion (and wavelength)…and blanket forts!

Our first question had to be about family influence, how else could someone get involved in music so young…”My family is, indeed, very musical!” Lily confirmed. “My dad is a bass player; he wrote the bass method book, “Slap it! Funk Studies for the Electric Bass.” My mom is a professional musician and songwriter who has had songs covered by Diana Ross, Al Jarreau, and Kool and the Gang. In fact, one of my earliest memories is sitting in my mom’s guitar case and staring at her, in awe, while she played for me. …Let’s just say, my house was never quiet!”

Thankfully there is an active folk scene where Lily lives as well as great venues to see live music including New Hope Winery, Sellersville Theater, World Cafe Live some of which she’ll be playing at she announces excitedly. This led nicely onto her influences…

“Joni Mitchell was an early influence and remains at the very top of my “What would _____ do?” list. There is also a group of musicians, Jenny Owen Youngs, Bess Rogers, and Dan Romer, that have been incredibly supportive of me and influential to everything that I do. And of course, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Laura Marling have all been significant to my writing style because how could one listen to them and NOT be influenced?”

The lyrics to Early Days are very poetic so I was curious as to whether there were ay particular literary figures who had maybe inspired her…at this point she proudly handed over to her lyricist and 19 year old sister, Chloe who is in her first year at Barnard College.

“I started writing lyrics mostly as a result of a creative writing class that I took in high school. I was writing and reading a lot of poetry (I love Phillip Larkin and Louise Gluck) but I found that my poems were better suited as lyrics. I’m most inspired by Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and Laura Marling. I love how they find inventive and honest ways to tell stories and make hard emotions like anger and loss beautiful.”
The song “Søren” was one of the stand out tracks for me and a surprising focus…”We wrote Søren last March while I wanted to be a Philosophy major” Chloe explains, “I was very interested in existentialism (as any graduating high school student should be) and I had been reading about Søren Kierkegaard. It’s about existential angst and the overwhelming moments when you become aware of your own power.

“And for some reason, it feels important enough to let it be known that Søren was written in one (long) sitting in our permanent blanket fort. …Yes, we have a blanket fort!”

Lily adds a bit more insight into their relationship which they are both clearly proud of…”Chloe and I are always on the same wavelength, and because of that, our writing process is very conversational (and sometimes involves mime).”

It was not until “Lost at Sea” that I made a Laura Marling comparison but one which is surely there…”Laura Marling is absolutely a force of influence behind my writing style” Lily confirms. “I’m a fan! Whenever I’m writing a song, I go with whatever melody comes out first, and then I try to attack it logically in a way that will highlight and make it more interesting to listen to. I think that’s where Laura Marling and Joni Mitchell’s influence seeps through–my obsession with a, hopefully, colorful melody.”

We finish off on some trivia questions:

What album are you listening to?
It’s funny because from the sound of my music, one might not expect an indie rock album, but “An Unwavering Band of Light” by Jenny Owen Youngs (produced by Dan Romer) has been my musical anthem for the past year!

What book are you reading?
Am I allowed to say The Norton Anthology of Americ - Folk Radio UK

With her relaxed, laid-back vibe, Lily Mae is every bit the folk singer.
During a recent performance, she forgot the words to one of her new songs. But the misstep didn’t faze her.
Instead, Lily Mae joked with the audience, delivered a charming apology to her sister, Chloe (the song’s lyricist), and continued in her melodic, ethereal voice that is reminiscent of her idol, Joni Mitchell.
“She’s kind of like my inspiration for living,” said Lily Mae.
The Buckingham resident is an up-and-coming contemporary folk singer-songwriter, who has released her first EP called “Early Days,” which is getting airplay on local radio stations.
She’s got two big gigs coming up, opening for musicians Livingston Taylor (brother of James Taylor) and for Ben Taylor (son of James Taylor and Carly Simon).
“The joke is I can join the Taylor family,” said Lily Mae.
It’s an impressive start for someone who’s only been playing guitar for two years, writing songs and performing live for even less time, and for someone who still has homework.
“I get a lot of homework,” said the 16-year-old Solebury School junior.
Lily Mae (her last name is Oppenheim, but she doesn’t use it onstage) is generating some good buzz.
“She is a rare talent,” said John Cole, broadcaster for the New Jersey-based WDVR 89.7 FM and the first person to play a Lily Mae song on the air. The teen heard it one day while doing her homework.
“She paints with her voice,” said Cole. “There’s a depth and sincerity there that’s quite unique. Lily Mae just adds to that artist’s palette in Bucks County.”
The aptly titled “Early Days,” a five-track acoustic collection, is a product of sisterly collaboration. Lily Mae writes the music and performs the songs; older sister Chloe, a 19-year-old student at Barnard College in New York, pens the lyrics.
“I’ll write lyrics in the library when I’m bored of studying,” said Chloe.
Their songs radiate warmth and comfort. Perhaps the most haunting track on the EP is “Lost at Sea,” with its lyrics: “I’d rather be lost at sea than safely home in misery / I’m not drowning / I’m not drowning now …There is so little that I control / But I’ll stay afloat and that I know / I won’t let the sea swallow me whole / Let it capture me / I will stay afloat.”
When Chloe is away at school, the sisters have to get creative with their collaborations, employing Skype, Google Docs and other technology to make it work.
Social media has been a huge part of promoting the music. Lily Mae has done most of the work herself, setting up a website and Facebook page, using Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, BandCamp and iTunes to promote, distribute and sell her songs.
“It’s the only way,” said her father, Tony Oppenheim. “I don’t think anyone of the current generation would do it differently.”
Lily Mae has music in her blood. Oppenheim is a musician and author of “Slap It! Funk Studies for the Electric Bass.” He produced “Early Days” from his project studio in the family’s home.
“I recorded a lot of it in my pajamas,” said Lily Mae.
Her mother, Cathy Block, is a songwriter whose work can be heard in film and television. Her songs have been recorded by artists like Diana Ross and Kool & the Gang. She also writes children’s music.
“We have more instruments (at home) than furniture,” said Block, who teaches music at Solebury School.
Lily Mae has performed locally — including a recent concert at the school celebrating the release of her EP — and at venues in Brooklyn, home to a thriving folk music scene, which includes her other idol and influence, Jenny Owen Youngs.
Helen Leicht, a longtime radio host with WXPN in Philadelphia, recently selected the “Early Days” title track for her local “Pick of the Day.”
“I listened to Lily Mae’s EP and was drawn in by her pure voice and Joni Mitchell sound,” said Leicht. “I’m always reviewing new music and listening for new artists. Lily Mae definitely caught my attention.”
Lily Mae hopes to pursue a music career and her family is behind her.
“We really believe in her. It comes naturally to her,” said her mom.
Lily Mae and Chloe have written enough songs for a full-length album and are working on a second concept album.
Hilary Bentman is a freelance writer. Discussion about this story may be directed to editor Amy Gianficaro: (215) 345-3051; email, agianficaro@phillyburbs.com. To subscribe, go to phillyburbs.com/orderIntell - Intelligencer

With her relaxed, laid-back vibe, Lily Mae is every bit the folk singer.
During a recent performance, she forgot the words to one of her new songs. But the misstep didn’t faze her.
Instead, Lily Mae joked with the audience, delivered a charming apology to her sister, Chloe (the song’s lyricist), and continued in her melodic, ethereal voice that is reminiscent of her idol, Joni Mitchell.
“She’s kind of like my inspiration for living,” said Lily Mae.
The Buckingham resident is an up-and-coming contemporary folk singer-songwriter, who has released her first EP called “Early Days,” which is getting airplay on local radio stations.
She’s got two big gigs coming up, opening for musicians Livingston Taylor (brother of James Taylor) and for Ben Taylor (son of James Taylor and Carly Simon).
“The joke is I can join the Taylor family,” said Lily Mae.
It’s an impressive start for someone who’s only been playing guitar for two years, writing songs and performing live for even less time, and for someone who still has homework.
“I get a lot of homework,” said the 16-year-old Solebury School junior.
Lily Mae (her last name is Oppenheim, but she doesn’t use it onstage) is generating some good buzz.
“She is a rare talent,” said John Cole, broadcaster for the New Jersey-based WDVR 89.7 FM and the first person to play a Lily Mae song on the air. The teen heard it one day while doing her homework.
“She paints with her voice,” said Cole. “There’s a depth and sincerity there that’s quite unique. Lily Mae just adds to that artist’s palette in Bucks County.”
The aptly titled “Early Days,” a five-track acoustic collection, is a product of sisterly collaboration. Lily Mae writes the music and performs the songs; older sister Chloe, a 19-year-old student at Barnard College in New York, pens the lyrics.
“I’ll write lyrics in the library when I’m bored of studying,” said Chloe.
Their songs radiate warmth and comfort. Perhaps the most haunting track on the EP is “Lost at Sea,” with its lyrics: “I’d rather be lost at sea than safely home in misery / I’m not drowning / I’m not drowning now …There is so little that I control / But I’ll stay afloat and that I know / I won’t let the sea swallow me whole / Let it capture me / I will stay afloat.”
When Chloe is away at school, the sisters have to get creative with their collaborations, employing Skype, Google Docs and other technology to make it work.
Social media has been a huge part of promoting the music. Lily Mae has done most of the work herself, setting up a website and Facebook page, using Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, BandCamp and iTunes to promote, distribute and sell her songs.
“It’s the only way,” said her father, Tony Oppenheim. “I don’t think anyone of the current generation would do it differently.”
Lily Mae has music in her blood. Oppenheim is a musician and author of “Slap It! Funk Studies for the Electric Bass.” He produced “Early Days” from his project studio in the family’s home.
“I recorded a lot of it in my pajamas,” said Lily Mae.
Her mother, Cathy Block, is a songwriter whose work can be heard in film and television. Her songs have been recorded by artists like Diana Ross and Kool & the Gang. She also writes children’s music.
“We have more instruments (at home) than furniture,” said Block, who teaches music at Solebury School.
Lily Mae has performed locally — including a recent concert at the school celebrating the release of her EP — and at venues in Brooklyn, home to a thriving folk music scene, which includes her other idol and influence, Jenny Owen Youngs.
Helen Leicht, a longtime radio host with WXPN in Philadelphia, recently selected the “Early Days” title track for her local “Pick of the Day.”
“I listened to Lily Mae’s EP and was drawn in by her pure voice and Joni Mitchell sound,” said Leicht. “I’m always reviewing new music and listening for new artists. Lily Mae definitely caught my attention.”
Lily Mae hopes to pursue a music career and her family is behind her.
“We really believe in her. It comes naturally to her,” said her mom.
Lily Mae and Chloe have written enough songs for a full-length album and are working on a second concept album.
Hilary Bentman is a freelance writer. Discussion about this story may be directed to editor Amy Gianficaro: (215) 345-3051; email, agianficaro@phillyburbs.com. To subscribe, go to phillyburbs.com/orderIntell - Intelligencer

"A sculptured voice from the soul of a tender heart. Lily Mae's performance is a rare, nakedly powerful human expression that captivates." - WDVR FM

"The undulating vocals tell a tale of love, loss and the possibility of learning something in the aftermath of it all."

"There is something so pure and naked about her vocals, encouraging images of innocence and sounding like a younger Laura Marling before she was scorned by life."

- For Folk's Sake

"The undulating vocals tell a tale of love, loss and the possibility of learning something in the aftermath of it all."

"There is something so pure and naked about her vocals, encouraging images of innocence and sounding like a younger Laura Marling before she was scorned by life."

- For Folk's Sake

"The undulating vocals tell a tale of love, loss and the possibility of learning something in the aftermath of it all."

"There is something so pure and naked about her vocals, encouraging images of innocence and sounding like a younger Laura Marling before she was scorned by life."

- For Folk's Sake

"The undulating vocals tell a tale of love, loss and the possibility of learning something in the aftermath of it all."

"There is something so pure and naked about her vocals, encouraging images of innocence and sounding like a younger Laura Marling before she was scorned by life."

- For Folk's Sake