Raquel Lily: A Q&A With One Of Birmingham's Brightest Musicians

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Born in the Philippines, raised in New York, educated in California and now entertaining Birmingham is one of the hottest - and perhaps smartest - musicians rising out of the Magic City's growing music scene. Raquel Lily is a scientist - a neurobiologist, specifically - who found that in addition to offering a lively medical research industry, Birmingham also is a pretty great place to be a musician these days. In a short time, Lily has built a buzz beyond just Birmingham, and many of those who follow the local music scene mention her as one of those Birmingham gems that is poised to explode onto the national and international scene.

Birmingham Mountain Radio DJ and music writer Lee Shook named Lily as one of the musicians to watch in 2018. And her music can be heard on radio stations throughout the region. She is looking to release a new album this year, and has recently released a video for her single, "Tinder Love."

Her music mixes R&B, jazz, pop, folk and funk with her superb songwriting talents. She has played venues all over the country, and remains busy with an enormous following on YouTube, social media and Twitch. Lily was able to lend Patch some insight into how she got to where she is, and where she wants to go from here.

First, let's get this out of the way. You are a neurobiologist. And a touring musician and recording artist. How does your music life fit in with your professional life? In essence, is it a diversion or do the two intertwine at all?

I'm a full time musician, so really, there's no personal life/professional life duality. Everything I do is based on music. I probably work 16 hours a day, but it's all part of my life now, so I can't complain. My science is now more of my hobby versus it being my profession. If you asked me this 2 years ago, it would have been the other way around. I worked at UAB for 1.5 years and quit to pursue music, which is where I'm at now. Nowadays, I keep up with current literature through podcasts, Twitter posts and Reddit. Otherwise, I'm on that music grind. Playing shows, streaming, writing music, making videos. You name it, I'm on it.

How did you end up in Birmingham?

I studied neurobiology at UC Davis and graduated in 2013, with no intention to stay in California at all. I think it was a combination of a super saturated music scene/no local scene at all and the expense of living out there that made me want to move. I grew up in NY and I'm not very enamored by "big cities," especially if I'll be spending an entire paycheck just trying to live. I took a cross-country road trip, with the intention of moving to Austin, TX for music. It felt very saturated and I wasn't a fan of how the housing prices have climbed since I originally planned on moving 2 years prior. I stopped by in Birmingham (I've never lived the South before) and I fell in love. Between the bustling music scene and the up and coming venues/restaurants/bars, I felt that it had a lot of potential for growth. Plus, unbeknownst to many people outside of Birmingham, it is a medical mecca. I was hired by UAB within 3 months of moving here and started from there. Eventually, I climbed my way to be able to pursue my music career full time.

You just released a new video for "Tinder Love" which is one of the more entertaining videos I have seen in some time. Can you take me through the production of that video, and how much of that song is autobiographical?

"Tinder Love" is actually about a friend of mine who I turned onto Tinder (not that I have any experience in it. True story. I just believe in the power of the internet). She kind of lost herself in it and every time we spoke about her dates, she seems to lose more and more self respect, in a sense. So the song is actually a satire to the very popular Tinder app. Sure, you can have loads of fun being a serial dater, but I feel that the downside, which is less discussed, is that you may lose pieces of yourself in the process. One night, she complained to me about how in all the years I've known her, I've never written a song about her. So, cheeky me, I am always about tough love and wrote a song about her dating life.

In addition to being a popular local musician, you are also an avid gamer with an internet following. What are you playing most at the moment?

Overwatch!! My main is Reaper. I also play PUBG, Zelda: Breath of the Wild and other games here and there.

What is the first album you remember buying?

My first album must have been the Beatles "The Red Album," and my brother bought "The Blue Album," which were compilations of their hits throughout the years. I think they supremely influenced my song writing.

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Photo courtesy of Raquel Lily