Whitney Lyman Talks New EP, Musical Influences And More

Los Angeles-based Americana singer-songwriter Whitney Lyman will release her new EP ‘Becoming You’ on Friday 24th October 2025. We caught up with her to find out more: 

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

My earliest musical memory is listening to the record my mother and her sisters (the Parrish Sisters) made when they were teenagers in the 70’s, with original songs written by my grandparents and the two eldest daughters, mixed with some cover songs of the day (which I didn’t know were cover songs until I was much older), such as “Feelin’ Groovy” by Simon and Garfunkel. They sing together in the most beautiful harmonies.

 

When did you begin songwriting?

The first song I can remember writing was when I was six years old, it was about my brother’s pet gecko passing away, the lyrics went “Sometimes it’s so hard to say goodbye,” quite deep for such a young age. I was always constantly making up songs in the car when we’d be driving across the state of Idaho to go back and forth between visiting my parents who were separated. I just never stopped making up songs. But I got more serious when I was 15 and got my first guitar. I then went on to study vocal performance and songwriting in music school when I went to college in Seattle, Washington.

 

You have your new EP ‘Becoming You’ released on 24th October 2025. How did you want to approach the making of the EP?

This EP was a different process than how I normally write on my own, which was co-writing it with another artist, Cherish Alexander. We first met up to see if our songwriting styles could fit together and I would go over to her studio in Los Angeles and do these songwriting sessions. Then we finished with a group of songs that we both deeply resonate with.

 

Where did you record the EP and who produced it?

The EP was recorded in Los Angeles, California between Kitten Robot and Poodle Pop Studios and produced by Cherish Alexander, the audio/mixing engineer was Paul Roessler, mastered by David Donelly (Beck, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Aerosmith)

 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

When I recorded my vocals for Undoing, we added a background track where I’m completely improvising and in the studio we turned off the lights so I could get into this very meditative and mystical state. The vocal tracks turned out pretty epic!

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

The mic we used to record vocals was a very high end Telefunken U-47 and it captured a lot of warmth in my voice.

 

Which of your new EP tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

I’d say the happiest track is All About Love, it’s just so enticing and fills you with joy upon hearing it. I feel that Solid Ground isn’t exactly angry but has plenty of angst, as you can hear the triumph after the struggle. And the song Becoming You is probably most reflective because it says point blank, what is being contended with. You can’t hide from being so direct with your feelings.

 

Who were the musicians who were on the EP with you?

The EP features an all-star lineup of musicians, including Cherish Alexander on bass (Cyndi Lauper, Josie Cotton, Tiffany), George Bellias on guitar (Bon Jovi, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears), Jano Janosik on drums (The Violets, Bella Bazarria, Stewboss), and renowned violinist Andrew Joslyn (Kesha, Macklemore, Duff McKagan, Judy Collins).

 

Does the EP’s title have a specific meaning/significance?

Out of the group of songs, it felt like “Becoming You” was a phrase and song that seemed to capture the whole message of the EP best. The overarching theme of the EP is about finding meaning in what you do with your life, letting go of perfection, and sometimes losing yourself in order to find the more authentic parts of yourself under the surface.

Was it a difficult EP to write?

It wasn’t difficult to write because it can be helpful to work with a co-writer when your ideas aren’t flowing as well, another creative mind can help keep it going or make you think a little differently. It can also create challenges too when there are differences of opinion or approach, which can be a great practice of non-attachment and doing what’s best for the music that wants to come through, ultimately getting the ego out of it.

 

Who designed the EP artwork?

The artwork was painted by renowned artist, Clifford Bailey.

 

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

I grew up in the state of Idaho but I always felt most at home in Seattle, Washington, US. In five words I would describe it as lush, musical, rainy, moody, and magical.

 

How do you look after your voice?

I try to make sure it’s warmed up a bit before I belt it, drink plenty of water, and lots and lots of sleep and rest is honestly the most helpful thing for keeping a strong voice with as little stress and tension as possible (which can be a challenge in a demanding musician life or just in general).

 

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025/2026?

Yes, I will be returning to the UK this October with a few appearances leading up to an album release show with the band on the 26th of October at Telford’s Warehouse in Chester, UK. And I’m working on tour plans for 2026.

 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

I hope I make an impact of some sort; that something from the performance might resonate with people and they’ll think about life a little bit, OR they at least had a great time and enjoyed themselves, maybe it leaves them with a good feeling.

 

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I do love working with Telefunken microphones, on stage I use their gorgeous platinum M80 model, and they have so many lovely colors to choose from which really adds a pop on stage. You can never go wrong with a Gibson guitar who I’m fortunate to be endorsed by. And I am also a big fan of the Casio PX-S6000 keyboard because it is so sleek on stage and has a great feel and sound.

 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Great question. I would have to choose The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho because it’s one of my favorite novels and I don’t think I’ve seen a film adaptation of it. I would enjoy scoring the music for that because it would be mysterious, exotic, and triumphant.

One of the tracks is the title track. What was the story/inspiration behind the song?

Becoming You, originally had a working title of Breakdown to Breakthrough, which also encapsulates the idea behind it. Sometimes things need to fall apart in order to build it back up in a way that is more authentic and meaningful to you. Also taking your power back from the frustrations of trying to fit into the madness of the world, and instead creating the life that you truly want to see and be your true self.

 

Do you have any visualisers to accompany the music?

I have a couple of music videos that were filmed in North Wales for the songs “Supermoon” and “Solid Ground.” I’m also working on some more music videos for the other tracks and should have lyric videos out soon too.

 

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

I’ve always loved the classic rock of the 60’s and 70’s, like Stevie Wonder, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, David Bowie, Toto, also great Jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra had a huge influence on me when I was younger. Also growing up in the 90’s and being in the legendary Seattle music scene, I definitely love those bands that came from there such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Heart, into the 2000’s indie rock like Postal Service and Fleet Foxes, the Head and the Heart. It was cool to then be a part of it and become friends and peers with these great artists.

What makes Whitney Lyman happy and what makes you unhappy?

What makes me happy is singing, cute dog videos and real life puppies, ice cream, traveling, seeing strangers genuinely caring for each other.

What makes me unhappy is agreeing to plans when I was a different person and then having to follow through with those plans later when I don’t feel like it.

 

Feature Image Photo Credit: Kev Curtis Photography

Whitney Lyman’s new EP ‘Becoming You’ will be released on Friday 24th October 2025.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1MzNpVibtGcQre2vdJEpLs