Words by Katherine Cardinale
This past Wednesday, Loudspeaker Collective participated in an exclusive °1824 press conference with rising pop star Livingston to discuss the release of his deluxe album, A Hometown Odyssey (The Story Continues). This release is an extended version of the artist’s debut studio record and features nine brand-new songs, including “Gravedigger” and “Glow.” The release of this deluxe album will be followed by Livingston’s highly anticipated The Story Continues Tour, which includes stops across all of North America.
Livingston was born in Denton, Texas and spent much of his childhood feeling isolated and using music as a means to express his emotions. His debut album, A Hometown Odyssey, covers themes such as anxiety, self-discovery, and growing up. The hit single “Shadow” landed in the Top 20 of the Spotify Global and US Charts, and its rise to prominence has resulted in Livingston gaining millions of streams and fans all over the world. Getting to chat with Livingston was an incredible experience, and it was inspiring to hear all about his experiences as both a recording and touring artist.
Livingston’s childhood played a huge role in the creation of his debut record, and the deluxe tracks are no different from the standard ones. When asked how he is able to balance vulnerability with creating songs that resonate with his audience, Livingston stated that he wanted to make something that is both fun to listen to and also reminiscent of music you often hear as a child. He provided an example of this, citing his song “Nightlight,” which he wanted to sound innocent and be reminiscent of what it feels like to be young and discover music and love for the first time. He stated that he wanted the studio recording to mimic these feelings; this is why the song’s production incorporates sounds like children’s toys and rattles. Livingston defines songwriting as a magic prism that can take all of an individual’s thoughts and emotions that are hard to articulate into words and create a cohesive message from them. Songwriting gathers all versions of an individual under one roof, from the inner child who has a lot to say but hasn’t been able to cope with everything they’ve gone through to the present-day adult who sees and hears inspiring things every day and can create something fresh out of their experiences. As someone who grew up feeling alone, Livingston’s goal is to create music that helps people to find clarity (if even for a moment) in the chaos and remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
When asked whether A Hometown Odyssey (The Story Continues) will be a defining moment in his evolution as an artist, Livingston stated that he wants to bring people together in one room at his live shows. The purpose of his deluxe album is to enhance the concert experience with a setlist that features even more confident and mature songs than the ones on the standard record. During this segment, Livingston also spoke about coming to understand what his music means to his audience in real time when he physically sees the fans that his work affects at his shows.
In addition to playing a key role in his upcoming shows, Livingston believes that his deluxe album is a “last hurrah” regarding him being a kid, growing up feeling isolated, and looking for an outlet to express his emotions. This album has been a work-in-progress since he was fourteen, and he has a strong attachment to it. Despite existing and creating within this musical world for so long, Livingston felt as though there was one more level he could take the project to in terms of the songs’ quality, production, and more. He stated that this work is the best possible version of that childhood story, and it is a bold and clear way to conclude this chapter before starting something new. When I asked Livingston whether he approached the production of the new tracks differently in comparison to the ones on the standard LP, Livingston affirmed and stated that the decisions he made were done so very consciously.
During the press conference, Livingston also shared his love for movies, composers, and soundtracks. When asked whether there is a specific film or composer that has served as musical inspiration for his own art, Livingston gave a shout out to Hans Zimmer (The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, Inception) and stated that he would love to create a James Bond theme with Hans. Livingston also cited John Powell as inspiration (Happy Feet, How to Train Your Dragon, Wicked), and shared that he was actually able to chat with John about storytelling and music production once when he was a teenager. If Livingston could pick any song from A Hometown Odyssey (The Story Continues) to be featured in a movie, he would choose “Glow” or “The Game” to play at the end of a superhero movie, such as an MCU installment. Livingston’s introspective and thoughtful responses to each question during the press conference showcased the dedication he has to his artistry and his ever-growing audience. A Hometown Odyssey (The Story Continues) is an amazing new chapter and demonstrates his growth as both a musician and a person. It also sets the stage (quite literally!) for some of his biggest tour dates yet. You can stream the new deluxe album wherever you get your music and buy tickets to his upcoming tour now!
Photo by Brian Ziff
Loudspeaker Collective 