Diandra Interviews Ivory Layne: Embracing A Song Like A Prayer

Ivory Layne is living her best life or, at least, her most hopeful one. Recently signed to Justin Timberlake’s Villa 40, she is charging towards her singing dreams with a lyrical prowess only comparable to a prayer. For her, a song is a hope or worry you are offering up to a higher power and releasing from within yourself, which is why, in our interview, she discusses how making music made her believe in herself.

Diandra: You have remarked prayers as an inspiration for how your write. What is one prayer that inspires song within you? 

Ivory Layne: Probably a line from one of my favorite hymns, “Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.” I love the sentiment so much, I’ve got it tattooed on my arms. 

Diandra: Believing in God or, at least, in a higher plan or power, how do you feel music ignites you to think more highly about life and yourself? 

Ivory Layne: Music is such a unique communicatory tool. People are far more open to hear your heart and mind through a chorus than they ever would be in a conversation. Songs invite people to instinc- tually become a part of them. I think that natural connection is evidence of something bigger than ourselves, and because of that, we as songwriters have a responsibility to write things of substance and worthy of sharing. 

Diandra: You have stated that music is therapy, which of your songs, possibly upcoming, did you find therapeutic to make? 

Ivory Layne: “Me,” my most recent single, came about in a season of personal depression. I was struggling in so many areas of my life, and there were so many days I’d wake up disappointed in myself and my reality. That day I had this sort of epiphany: maybe a large part of my world was clouded because it was my world and mine alone. I had been so focused on my career, my thoughts, my dreams, my ambitions, myself, that I hadn’t bothered to see the beauty around me. It was a terribly raw discovery, but confessing that selfishness through the song was one of the most liberating experiences I’ve had as a writer. 

Diandra: Bouncing off that question, what are some things either in your spirit or situations that you feel music has helped you heal? 

Ivory Layne: In the grand scheme of things, music has never allowed me to regret anything. Every decision I’ve made or experienced, good or bad, has rendered a song. And, sometimes, I release those songs into the world and other people get to enjoy them and heal through them. That truth gives me complete gratitude for my past and present, and makes me all that more hopeful for my future story. 

Diandra: Having recently been signed to Justin Timberlake’s Villa 40, how did you feel the moment was an achievement for you and made you appreciate your music journey so far? 

Ivory Layne: Partnering with Justin was such a special moment. It happened so early on in my career, it made me feel even more honored and excited to fulfill the potential he believed I possessed. I had nothing supremely impressive to show for myself, at the time: only myself and my songs. Justin’s enthusiasm for both gave me a boldness of creativity that has stuck with me since. 

Diandra: “Heaven” has you praying for strength and clarity during the “I Don’t Know” situation of life. Name a situation when you needed clarity and strength, of which music helped you through. 

Ivory Layne: Honestly? Every day. Making music full-time is a gift, but filled with unpredictability and slow seasons when I wonder, “Should I do this anymore?” Asking for renewed perseverance and wisdom outside of myself is an essential, daily task for both living and working well. 

Diandra: How would you define Heaven? 

Ivory Layne: In my song, Heaven represents a larger, external perspective that I personally believe as God. 

Diandra: How would you define strength within yourself?

Ivory Layne: A large part of my personal strength stems from my ability to be vulnerable. I’ve always been an open book, and I’d like to think that shows in my artistry. Despite the many times I’ve been told I’m too much or not enough, I’ve stubbornly stood my ground because I know who I am and I like her. 

Diandra: “Boy Loves Me” is a feminist song; encouraging women to find a love that does not try to make them lose their independent spirit. What is a love story you feel expresses that? 

Ivory Layne: “Boy Loves Me” is largely based on the ideals passed on by my mother. Raising three girls, my mom always celebrated our worth as individuals and encouraged me especially to grow in my creativity. She’d allow me to come straight home and sit at the piano or go to my room and write.If I ever got upset over a boy, she’d just say, “You don’t have time for a boyfriend! Your dreams are too big!” That love and belief in me inspired my independence as an adult and, ultimately, found its way into the song.

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