Singer and Songwriter LP Opens Up About Love, Life and The Power of Believing in Yourself!

09/22/20

DATE: SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

PROGRAM: ALWAYS EVOLVING

SHOW#: CM1041

GUEST: LP

HOST: COACH MIKE BAYER

 

(START OF PODCAST)

COACH MIKE BAYER: Welcome back to Always Evolving with me, Coach Mike. As you guys know when somebody inspires me or when there’s a new fascination with me that I share it with you guys and a few months ago…You know when you’re online and you’re on YouTube or on some of these different stations or on Spotify and then you stumble upon an artist and then you start doing a deeper dive and then you start listening to all their music and you’re like, “Wow, I really dig them”? Well that happened to me with an artist who I have joining us today and uh, so I’d like to welcome LP.

LP: Hey. What’s up, man?

MIKE: And, if you don’t know who LP is, which, it’s a certain, I would say, genre or style or type or vibe, um, it’s not pop culture, which I actually love. And, you know, she’s had like 500,000,000 views on some of her videos, on Spotify some of her songs have had hundreds of millions of listens which is, which is phenomenal. First of all—how did you come up with your name? And just tell me about your art.

LP: Um…well you know, it’s from my initials. Um, and uh, it was, honestly it was just like, New York, in a restaurant back in the day in New York City and uh, there was another “Laura” so um, uh, they started calling me “LP” and then my friends at the time, like, my band and stuff who were um, started calling me that ’cause, you know, we’d be like, everyone’s calling me “LP” at work and um, and they’re not, I don’t know, it just kind of stuck like any nickname, and then I was like, “Oh, I really like this. it was kind of just a surprise, you know? It just felt like it was my name.

MIKE: Yeah, I mean, I actually, um, if it was up to me I feel like I’d rather my name be “Merlin”, like I’m really into wizards, hence why…

LP: (LAUGHS)

MIKE: I have a wizard cup I’m drinking…

LP: All you gotta say is, “Call me ‘Merlin’ and then I’m good to go.”

MIKE: Yeah, exactly.

LP: (LAUGHS)

MIKE: So, so you’ve been in the music business for a long time, meaning you’ve been in the art of creating music, right? And you’ve…

LP: I have, yeah.

MIKE: And you’ve worked in, in a lot of different capacities…

LP: I have, yeah. I mean, I had, you know, did all the, you know, I started as an indie artist and then, um, and then I got my first major label deal in 2006. And, then, I was like, for like three years I was like in the major label. I was on Def Jam and Universal and um, I wrote, like, I dunno, like a 140 songs for them, and then I got, um, a writing deal. Like, no, no record came out, it was like uh, it bore no fruit basically, the deals, but then one of my songs got picked up by the Backstreet Boys and then I embarked on like a writing career. Then um, I got another deal with Warner Bros. in 2011 and then um, just shit started to happen from there and I was on Warner Bros. for three years and then all the personnel changed and all the people that thought I was, you know, gonna be this big thing kind of was gone and um, and the new people asked me to come play my, my shit for them, and I did. I played them, like, these three songs. One of them being “Lost On You” which is, like, you know, posted 2 billion streams at this point. I’ve got like plaques and shit all over the place from it, you know, which is awesome and I’m so grateful for it, but that was, one of the songs that they were just like, “Yeah, that’s great—you’re dropped.” (LAUGHS) you know? And I was like, “Oh…huh. Well, uh…” and I was like, that was like my fifth record deal at that point in the States and then I got signed by uh, Vagrant Records, like, a couple months later and um, and then that year I just kind of did some touring. I was out with Bryan Ferry, um, this artist from, like, Roxy Music and stuff and um, the summer of 2016 and then all of a sudden all my shit started to take off in, in Europe. I went from having two shows at the beginning of September to like 50 shows at the end of the year, or more, and I haven’t really been home much since until the plague of 2020.

MIKE: So, so let me, let me ask you—so when you were songwriting for people at that time, like, did you have a vision for yourself? Like, “Gosh, I really wish I was singing this song”? Or was it really like, “Eh, it’d be cool but no big deal”?

LP: Uh…no I didn’t (STAMMERS) I couldn’t believe that other people would sing one of my songs ’cause, you know, to be honest with you, the, you know, the irony of it all is that I…you know, it’s just like, to be, like, rejected as an artist because maybe it didn’t have “the song” and then to be suddenly be like, have people be taking your songs and then people complimenting you or being like, “Yeah, you’re a songwriter…” duh duh duh… you know? And uh, it’s just, you know, it’s wild. Everybody wants to put this thing on you. When you, you know, and have this, just the right to work at Atlantic all the time, in this like, you know, building. Basically it was a chop shop situation where people just like, spat melodies and lyrics and everything, you know. And uh, I don’t know, it just seems like every time I went in they would take my melodies more so—like I didn’t really even do any lyrics. But like, I’m a very lyric heavy person, you know what I mean? And um, and it’s just like,    a guy said, like, “Oh yeah, you’re more about melodies than lyrics” and I was like, “No offense, bitch, but people have my lyrics tattooed in my body and shit” you know? (LAUGHS) Like, “Fuck off” you know? It’s like people always like, decide to pigeonhole you, you know?’

MIKE: What’s inspiring is you just kept doing your art. You kept talking about…

LP: Yeah.

MIKE: …what’s going on in your life and you how you feel and the vibe and staying true to who you were. And what I noticed about you in my brief time getting to know you and we’re gonna play your song in a second, “The One That You Love”, which is, like, “I have questions about, because I, of course looked at all the lyrics behind it, you know…

LP: Mm hmm.

MIKE: …kind of looking into it but you march to your own beat, which is clear. From the outside that’s how it appears…

LP: (LAUGHS)

MIKE: …and my question to you is—did you reach a certain point in your career, ’cause I feel like this is a lot of people where you went, “Okay, enough is enough, I’m gonna do it my way.” Or were you always kind of like, “Eh, I’m gonna do it my way”?

LP: Uh, you know I’ll be honest with you, I really don’t know how else to do it. Like, it’s not like, I don’t know what my way is, according to anybody else’s really. I mean, I see it sometimes, and, you know, when I was like, being fascinated, or wondering all the time how other people wrote or, whatever, you know, like, I would go in, uh, go in a session with another artist where the session really bad, or the songs for that art is not for me and just like, observe how they write and what they say, what they say first and how they do it and, yeah, it’s really interesting, you know? And it, and it showed me, one of the things that that period in my life showed me that it is very, um, it doesn’t matter, like, I see, I see people that were every place inspection as far as I, you know, how talented they were, how beautiful they were, how much they had going on going into this deal. How behind each person everyone was and, and then I’d still be like, like, “What the hell did that person go? Like I’d never, like, I’d go in a session and I’d just hear nothing but like, the best things that this person is gonna be the next, blah, blah, blah. And then I, I would forget about them ’cause I don’t, you know, I’m doing like, you know, 10 sessions a week and uh, and then I’d be like, “Oh shit, I’ve never heard about that person again” like, “what…” and, and I’ve also been like where I did a lot of songs to someone and uh, they had a lot of heat, it was great and I watched, like, much like a record guy get involved to the point where they ruined the whole, the whole momentum and all the things and I just saw that like, you just never know. And that’s like, I’m so, I’m so lucky. I’m one of the most lucky motherfuckers ever, you know what I mean? There’s like, I can’t believe, like, I’m on stage and I’m like, “Wow…” like, “I can’t believe that I’m, I’m getting to do this on such a level” you know? And uh, but I tell the story, that story about “Lost On You” as much as I can because I feel like I want people to know that just because some douche on the other side of the desk is like, “I’m good!” you know, it doesn’t mean that that’s not, you know, a viable, great song. It doesn’t mean that you should hang out, and you know, hawk that song all over the world the next 10 years being like, “Yeah, but this is a great song.” It just means that that person didn’t get it, you know? And I, like, working with people like, and getting someone like Geffen, it’s like dating, you know?

MIKE: (LAUGHS)

LP: Like, you’re either like, you know, this, these people that get it and understand me and are turned on by what I do and then there’s people that are just like, flatlined, nothing. They’re just like, kind of like nothing. They’re like South Park eyes, you know, they’re just like “Who the hell are you?” Like, nothing.

MIKE: (LAUGHS)

LP: (LAUGHS)

MIKE: And for me, I can relate to what you’re describing, you know, like it’s, for, for me I’m in self-help and I own a treatment center and I’ve worked with a lot, I’m in, I’m in recovery myself from meth and a bunch of other things but like, it’s, it’s almost like it’s so liberating to do what you love. Like…

LP: Mmm.

MIKE: …in theory on this podcast, it could be all people in self-help and all we’re talking about…

LP: Yeah.

MIKE: …but for me I get more excited and my following gets excited when I talk to people that inspire me, right? And so…

LP: Yeah.

MIKE: …I’m gonna play for everyone right now, well, should we talk about what it’s about or do you want me to play the song?

LP: I think play it first and then…

MIKE: All right, cool. So everyone, this is LP’s “The One That You Love”…

(“THE ONE THAT YOU LOVE” PLAYS)

MIKE: It’s so—by the way—it’s so catchy, like…

LP: Yeah…

MIKE: …’cause I was listening to “Girls Gone…” uh, what was it, “Girls Go Wild”…

LP: (LAUGHS) It’s, it’s just like, whenever, when literally the day we wrote it I’m like, we spend a lot of, a lot of time telling people “Girls Go Wild”…

MIKE: I know. Okay, so that, “Girls Go Wild” is fire and it was in my head but then it shifted over now “The one that you love…”

LP: (LAUGHS)

MIKE: So everyone just heard “The One That You Love” and I assume you wrote that song…

LP: Yes.

MIKE: (LAUGHS)

LP: Any song that eyes on my record is not a song I wrote.

MIKE: Okay. 

LP: Co-wrote…

MIKE: And, and walk me through your, you know, because this is a very emotional song, right? Meaning…

LP: Uh, yeah…I mean, yes.

MIKE: …there’s heartache, and pain.

LP: Yes. (LAUGHS)

MIKE: And…

LP: “Heartache and pain…”

MIKE: So, to muster up the energy to just start lyrically putting this down, like, how did you end up with this piece of work?

LP: Um, you know, I  mean, I am a…especially from writing so much, you know, I feel like I am definitely uh, I don’t know, I’m good at getting right to the meat of the, of the feeling, you know? And um, and, and usually like when I’m writing I’m like doing, it depends if I have a title. This particular song we did not have a title, it just had a feeling, and then that, you know, that, like the lyrics started to pop out, um, as I went but the, it felt like the, um, the melodic, kind of intention was very, like, it felt very emotional and brought all that out, you know? I’m always examining, um, relationships, you know? Um, I think that, everything seems like a romantic nature and it is for the most part, but I do think that romantic relationships are like the ultimate um, mirror to uh, that holds up to you and goes, you know, what are you, what is it, what are you working on? You know, like what, what bothers you…

MIKE: Mmm.

LP: …and that’s, you know, you kind of carry that out into the rest of the world. So, you know, “The One That You Love” of about, like, kind of always wondering, um, if you’re being enough, doing enough, getting enough, kind of vibe…which I think people can relate to.

MIKE: Well, one of the lines you said, “Don’t treat my love like a habit, Why don’t you show me a way? I’d give it to you, You can have it. I just wish I knew what to say”. And…

LP: Mmm.

MIKE: …what hit me in that, was that like, “Oh, I know that, like, it’s like a, it’s like a, a silent painful rejection where you don’t, for me at least, where you don’t really know what did I do wrong?

LP: Yeah.

MIKE: Or what, am I not enough? And…

LP: Well that, missing that opportunity for communication, you know? I mean, I grew up in a pretty unhappy marriage, like, you know, like a very difficult, abusive at times but also, like, you know, non-uh, communicative, on the, on the uh, on what needed to be. I think that um, it wasn’t, my dad was definitely not open to uh, criticism or uh, questioning what he was about and um, and you know I think my mom suffered in, somewhat, silence but also in kind of being standing up to it, like you know, “I’m not, gonna, I’m not gonna take it” kind of thing, you know? So I just like saw all that and uh, and then saw it like, last and last and it’s like, well, I think a lot of people can relate to, you know, even like, romantic things with, um, songs, you can think of them in so many ways. You know, my song “Lost On You” I felt had like, you know, a lot of ways that you could interpret it. It had, it had a bunch of, um, that, that weird thing where you just like, you know, you don’t understand what you’re doing right now; you’re fucking this up, you know?

MIKE: And do you, um, well let me ask—at a young age were you kind of writing about how you felt growing up in that environment? Like in high school…

LP: No.

MIKE: …were you kind of just…

LP: No, I didn’t write like that.

MIKE: Really?

LP: Yeah. It was like, kind of more of a, academic household, you know? My dad was a lawyer, my, um, you know, I’ve always been around a lawyer or a doctor—that was what you were going to be. I know, I mean, I knew I think I could write halfway decent just in English and stuff like that but I didn’t really, I really didn’t think that like that wasn’t a thing, or an option.

MIKE: Yeah. So the, the one, “The One That You Love” you wrote in the last year or so or…?

LP: I wrote that in November.

MIKE: Oh recently.

LP: Yeah.

MIKE: And, and so I take it this was you getting out of a relationship?

LP: No.

MIKE: Got it.

LP: Yeah. When I wrote “Lost On You” um, I was with that person for another year after that. I wrote that, in, you know, while we were still together, which, that seems to be my thing. As I like, I write a breakup song in a relationship (LAUGHS).

MIKE: Mmm. And, do you find that like, when a relationship is really where you love it to be your writing style totally changes?

LP: Um, I don’t know. I haven’t been there…(LAUGHS)

MIKE: You know what, okay, but let me, LP, let me, let me be a Coach Mike for a second, can I? Can I be a Coach Mike?

LP: Yeah! I can’t believe you’re saying that…

MIKE: Okay—do you beat yourself up thinking that you mess up relationships?

LP: Uh…yes and no. Yes, sadly…

MIKE: Okay.

LP: …yes.

MIKE: But there’s like a lingering kind of voice where like somehow you should have done this or did this wrong, you’re too much of this or whatever?

LP: Uh yeah, and you know, all the communication tips, it’s like definitely like, you know, in that regard, it’s like tough for me sometimes…

MIKE: Yeah. And I, by…

LP: Hold on, I should, I’m gonna lie down…

MIKE: You’re gonna lie down for this one, right. No I mean, ’cause by the way there’s, there’s also this thing, right, is I find it fascinating like…

LP: Yeah.

MIKE: …culture of relationship, like I’m single right now. Um, I say that I’m single but my core is engaged from all the yoga but like I…

LP: (LAUGHS)

MIKE: …(LAUGHS) I like, there’s this thing in culture that’s very much like, relationship, relationship, like you look at presidents and they always have the First Lady and everything is geared towards that but then you look at divorce rates and they’re 50% and then you look at the single, you look at single people out there or people who are unhealthy relationships and there’s this thing where I feel like at a basic level we’re taught that if they don’t work out that somehow there’s something wrong. Like, like…

LP: Yeah.

MIKE: …we did something wrong…

LP: And also, like, what are we, like, you know, are we little like, uh, stupid robots? It’s not always like, “Isn’t this great?” you know, I mean, shit happens like, you know, it’s like a tough, it’s tough to uh, navigate a lot of things, you know, as far as, you know, there’s a lot of distance in my occupation that happens and, you know, it’s hard to um, keep your life and, on, in the cute little um, cookie cutter place when you’re like, you know, all over the place. 

MIKE: Yeah. Well, and also couldn’t it be that, like I guess, I’m not trying to dig in too deep or whatever but like…when you initially say it’s never…

LP: Go ahead, man, I’m impenetrable.

MIKE: Okay, I got ya.

LP: (LAUGHS)

MIKE: But when you say that, like, okay, I grew up in a family where like my parents were married and my dad was an attorney, successful, it was academics, they didn’t really show love, they didn’t really get along, there wasn’t really communication and I’ve literally had to spend years of like, self-reflecting, digging, therapy, or what have you…

LP: And they stayed together?

MIKE: No. They eventually divorced after 30 years. 

LP: Mmm.

MIKE: And so, sometimes I, it’s just love is this interesting thing and uh, it’s, it’s ’cause you’re lovable, right? Like you’re a…

LP: Mm hmm.

MIKE: …loveable person and out of curiosity you are into women, right?

LP: (LAUGHS) I am!

MIKE: Okay…

LP: Yes.

MIKE: …and so, um, I, I’m just curious from reading your lyrics and everything—is there are a certain type of woman that you just love?

LP: Mmm…

MIKE: When there’s a spark and you’re like, “That’s it—I love that!”

LP: Yeah. There’s a spark, there’s a, uh, you know, I don’t know, there’s so many things, you know, I, I think I, I take it all in in like, um, in so many different ways, you know? Like, the thing is for me, uh, I feel like, you know, I’m always like, I feel like a jolt when I meet a person usually. Or maybe I see them a couple times and then I’m like “Oh…” you know, and um, it seems to, I odn’t know it gets very uh, like, I, you know I was saying about being serial monogamist or something like that, almost, like, I feel like I just immediately know and then I, you know, I meet a lot of people, a lot of, um, beautiful people. A lot of people that are, you know, might be interested, you know? But it’s like a, it’s kind of I just wanna play, like this side or like, if I’m in that place and it can be a bunch of things, you know? It’s like, it’s uh, beautiful spirit, beautiful face, beautiful everything, you know? It’s just like, I feel like I just, it’s a whole package kind of thing, you know,          I talk about songs sometimes so, you know, I think of a song as a beautiful woman for me, a beautiful person, whatever, that you know, I fell in love with and I feel like, you know, I feel like the melody is like their, what they look like and how they make me feel when they walk in a room and then the lyric is their personality and their depth and all the, you know, the, like, so I feel like um, on repeated listens I need those lyrics to like, jive at home, so, you know, I think it’s like that person’s mind of course, that like really gets you going and then, um, it can get really windy in there, you know, there’s talking about being gone, you know? My relationship with, uh, my girlfriend has been like uh, I’ve been, we were together for a year, and then I was just touring for the next four. We’ve been together five years and she’s a musician too and started touring so it’s like this constant, like, you know, distance, which is not, um, really my best thing, you know? And um, uh, not because of like cheating or whatever, which it has been in the past but not in this one. This is just connection, you know? You, I think that like, and I think that’s the hardest thing about our world moving so fast all the time is the, the connection part of things that get a little, um, difficult, you know? And now we’ve all been home for a year in this scenario, which is also very interesting to uh, to understand the kind of, and keep you know, buoyant and feeling like good about yourself and what’s gonna come and what’s going on between the two of you. So it’s, you know, it’s challenging um, relationships are always challenging. You were saying, you know, like, with my parents and you said with your parents and we, they were together for 30 years you said your parents, right? I mean, 30 years of like, a bunch of unhappiness. My parents were like, almost fighting 25 years. And it’s just like, that’s a long time to be, to have like you know, unhappiness and, and I, we don’t have to do that anymore but it’s still, I think we still, you know, because you start to love that person on a bunch of different levels. And…

MIKE: Mmm…

LP: …it gets very complicated and then, um, you know, if you don’t communicate properly which I think I don’t a lot of times, it can get, should be convoluted and you don’t get to, I think we were onto this thing where we were talking about not expressing yourself at the right moment, you know? And, and that’s a very difficult thing sometimes, I think especially in, you know, in older generations people that were kind of, you know, very far apart, especially in the fact that, women and men cut through the world and the opportunity to say things to the person are often lost and often um, kind of, you know, pushed down and left for different times and when that time is never the right time. So, you know, I think um, I think relationships or even ob-observations of relationships are rife with opportunity to write about um, you know, heartbreaking stuff which, I’m um, totally receptive.

MIKE: Yeah, and it sounds like even when you’re in a relationship or a relationship um, with your girlfriend, it’s almost therapeutic in a lot of ways to just express how you feel and what you…

LP: Yeah.

MIKE: …think and the journey of it and nothing’s, there’s so much gray, like nothing’s black and white until it’s all over but even then there’s remnants of the past, right?

LP: Yeah.

MIKE: So, I think that’s really beautiful that, you know, I read this, I was like, “Oh, she wasn’t with anyone” and then, you know, and you…

LP: Yeah.

MIKE: …you tell me that you are with someone but this is just feelings that you express through it, which I think is really interesting.

LP: I mean, like, you know, um, she said to me when we watched the video, you know, ’cause you know, the time you’re watching the video before it comes out the song is done, and it’s coming out. I think she said something like, you know, “I don’t know if I should or shouldn’t say but she’s like, “Can this be your last song that you write about, um, how you give me everything and I don’t give (LAUGHS) nothing?” or something like that. (LAUGHS)

MIKE: (LAUGHS)

LP: You know? Um, and it’s, I mean, I’m always like, I’m always—I blame myself first, in all, you know, problems in my life, you know? I look to myself first but not, um, I’m not, you know but I just say it. And when it comes to me like that, you know, I was away in Cabo, um, in Mexico, uh, on a writing tear and that was, I think the first or second song I wrote, um, then, and uh…and it wasn’t like a lyric I was sitting on, it was more of like a, um, the first line was just like “Now that you’ve got what you wanted…” you know, the one from there and so, you know, a lot of times I write stuff that’s like, you know, rolling around, banging on in my heart, but that’s more about um, you know, these feelings, just like we were talking about before, these like, kind of tumbleweed, kind of emotional, kind of terrible things that you’re only feeling, like, “Oh, I’m depressed—now am I’m all right” (LAUGHS) you know? Tumbleweed rolls out of town and you’re like, “Fuck it, I’m good.”

MIKE: Yeah. I mean, to be honest, I, I think it’s interesting, and you used these words, where you’re like, there’s like, which is, by the way I think there’s a lot of truth to this, which is bizarre. Like, if you, I think I worked in it before in pop culture, right? Meaning like, with artists and everything. But I just like that you’re not a pop girl, you know?

LP: Oh yeah, man.

MIKE: (LAUGHS)

LP: You know what’s so funny, though? Like, I will tell you that I am considered a popstar in a bunch of countries.

MIKE: Yeah, like…

LP: Like in the pop…

MIKE: …in Israel and a bunch of others…

LP: It’s just America, like, Americans need they shit like a certain way, you know what I mean? They don’t get it, like, you know, and we’re still like, you know, there’s room for about one fuckin’ dyke every, like, you know, 10 to 15 years. Like a big one, you know what I mean? (STAMMERS) Or longer, you know? So it’s not like a, and and I’m I’ll be honest with you, you know, I’m like bigger in the states than I ever thought I would be. I mean, I’m like, you know, selling out like, you know, two and three thousand rooms, you know, like, people in rooms and I was gonna play the Greek in fuckin’ LA this year. Like I’m, I, like, you know, beyond my wildest dreams, you know? But in America, like, people don’t, you know, a lot of people discover me here and it’s like that, uh, skit from Saturday Night Live where Will Ferrell just walks out of a vagina like a full grown man?

MIKE: (LAUGHS)

LP: Like, and he’s born as an adult, like I feel like I’m like that, you know? Like, I’m just there like, I don’t, and then they look up my shit and they’re like, “Wow, all that stuff is there I was like, kind of like shocking to them, and uh, I kind of loved that, you know? And I feel like I’m, um, you know, like, the things that I’ve experienced are so unique, um, and um, like, I understand I’m so lucky.

MIKE: It’s, it’s interesting ’cause you say they allow, like, “One dyke every 15 years”…

LP: (LAUGHS)

MIKE: …right?

LP: (LAUGHS)

MIKE: But…

LP: Something like that, I didn’t…

MIKE: …in the US…

LP: …do the math in my head but it does seem like, you know, if you’re going to back, I mean, and there’s, there’s more people that are, you know, gay, fluid, bi, whatever, like, that, that we don’t talk about or that don’t get to that insane status or whatever, you know, and there, people are everywhere, you know? Gay people are everywhere and, thank God, you know? But um…

MIKE: But you’re saying in other countries it’s a little different?

LP: What’s that?

MIKE: In other countries you find that to be a little different? 

LP: Uh, you know, I mean, yes sometimes. I think like people like kind of just chalk it up to being an artist. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s kind of like, um, you know, uh, shaman status in some cultures, you know what I mean? Where they’re like, “Who cares?” (LAUGHS) I mean, you know? But I do think that it’s uh, it’s in the name of art, everything goes and it’s not as um, it’s not as delineated as it is here where it’s just like, you know, where, like everybody wants people to kind of like represent them or, you know, and people want that. You know, I just, um, I’ll be honest with you, man, and I really mean it—I don’t care. Like I don’t, I, you know, it’s like, I think when someone’s basic like I care what they think as far as, like, you know, ’cause I like to, like, be kind and have kindness back to me but like ultimately if you don’t like it—then get the fuck out! Don’t fuckin’ look at it. (LAUGHS) I don’t care, you know what I mean? It’s like if it’s not for you—BYEEE! You know? That’s it. And that’s it, like, you know, go with God. Like, I don’t, it’s, it’s okay, ya know? I don’t like    everything.

MIKE: But you always, but my question is—were you always like this?

LP: Uh…you know, I think I was but I was like I tried to, you know, um, be like other people, you know? And I was just like, it’s a thankless job, nobody needs this shit if you conform; nobody cares. You don’t get a fuckin’ award at the end of life it’s like, “And so here you are (LAUGHS) you get a half empty Topo Chico for conforming and being, and not upsetting, disrupting the fucking apple cart” you know? It’s like, “Who cares?” Um, so to me um, and I’m not, you know, I don’t feel like, I’m also not into being super disruptive. I’m just into options and giving myself and other people options of like, how to live. Like I don’t, I don’t know about you but I don’t wanna, and I want people, I’m not a, you know, as far as people being the norm, that’s cool too because I don’t wanna look out and see, I don’t wanna look out in my audience and see a bunch of me out there (LAUGHS) it’s like I’m, I really don’t, you know? And I, I just like, I just, I wanna see diversity and variety and I’m, um, I feel very inclusive. I’m like not into being exclusive even, even as far as being an artist and being like, you know, “Hey, I’m like,” you know, “I’m like this, wait outside” you know? I feel like I, I try to be, um, you know, in terms of safety there’s sometimes no choice and whatever but I think that I’m really, you know, I like people to feel like, like…like we’re all popular in high school, you know?

MIKE: Mm hmm.

LP: Instead of like it seeming like this kind of like, “Hey I’m…” and um, and that’s what like, sometimes entertainment gets into and popularity gets into and it’s, you know, it’s tough. Like, it’s a tough thing uh, fame and all about, one of the hardest things about like trying to be a songwriter, musician for me was that thing that people were like, “Oh…” like, “so you wanna be famous?” kind of thing. And that, that comes with a job and I don’t have any problem being, you know, famous and having different like levels and many different places but um, but my main goal was to express myself; to write songs that mattered to me and that would matter to somebody else and that’s my goal for the duration is to, you know, my heroes, people that I look up to, um, like, you know, like Leonard Cohen or um, David Bowie or Bob Dylan that just keep writing. You know they, they’re like, Leonard Cohen and David Bowie would be the coolest, most, like, like work that stands up to their OG work so they, you know, kick it and, and that’s what uh, I wanna do as far as like this but I’m, that’s my um, my goal and how, where I wanna go with this and I want those songs to whatever, be something that solves someone’s, you know, hurt in their life (STAMMERS) and I, I’m, that’s what I’m looking for. It’s like, yes, it’s lovely to be recognized, you know? It’s really cool, like it’s really it feels really good sometimes when someone comes up to you somewhere, sometimes many people whatever but it’s, it’s like a goal. It’s just a, it’s part of it and, and I would never be like, “Oh” you know, “it’s uncomfortable” (LAUGHS) I can’t stand that, like…

MIKE: Yeah…

LP: …it’s a stupid thing, you know?

MIKE: …I mean, to be real, like that’s probably what attracted me to you is you have that inclusive vibe and the people you, David Bowie all of those people, like, they all have this vibe, like everyone’s included in the party and there’s not a better than, um, there’s, there’s not that vibe at all, if anything it’s more like “Come as you are” type of vibe…

LP: Yeah.

MIKE: …um, one more question I have around how you express your art visually…

LP: Mm hmm.

MIKE: …like, from you, and I know, you could go “This is just me” right? But like, your style, I’m like, I wish this—I wish, I wish I could be dressed by you for a day, right? 

LP: (LAUGHS)

MIKE: If you, like…

LP: Yeah, we could go shopping, Mike, I could take you to a couple places.

MIKE: Let’s do it!

LP: Um…

MIKE: But like…

LP: …seriously, man, I mean…

MIKE: It, like, it whe-where do you come up with it?

LP: (LAUGHS) Um you know, uh, one of my uh, my ex, ex, who was uh, a fashion designer and, and kind of taught me like, uh, the value, I think we almost discovered it our, together, Like, the value of tailored stuff that like, this, you know, is your own thing and I think your body is your house, you know? That’s like, you know, the yoga thing is a big, like yoga changed my body, changed my mind and it’s like, I think that’s part of uh, you know, uh, the whole thing of, uh, that’s why, you know, in a way, as they say, everyone is an artist, you know? You are, like, I can guarantee you, like, that um, outside of like, you know, uh, Merlin coming down and changing me into like, anything I wanted to be, uh, maybe like a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) like, you know whatever (LAUGHS). But uh, but like I look exactly how I feel on the inside.

MIKE: Mm hmm.

LP: You know? And I think that’s like part of my thing. I think, I think people can kind of tell that and, and it was work and it was uh, experimentation.

MIKE: Oh, that’s so badass and I love it.

LP: (LAUGHS)

MIKE: And I’m actually gonna go to my closet after this and I’m gonna, I’m gonna tag you on Instagram, I’m gonna show you how I feel and I’m gonna make some Tik Tok videos to your songs…

LP: Oh, good.

MIKE: …by the way. I joined Tik Tok, too. Mine are ridiculous.

LP: I just started on Tik Tok and it’s going really well. It’s like uh, you know, my managers were like kind of pushing me and I started and it’s been fun.

MIKE: Yeah I saw you, you were literally, uh, you posted a video of you in a bathtub and (LAUGHS)

LP: (LAUGHS) Yeah, it’s my bathtub, it’s, like, what can I say…

MIKE: (LAUGHS) You’re sitting down, it’s like…

LP: …it’s the guest bathroom, I never go in. I’m like, “I’m gonna start doing videos in here” like, “Fuck it.”

MIKE: I mean, honestly, sometimes those guest bathrooms don’t get enough attention and then later in life you’re like, “I did nothing there.”

LP: I go in there and just, you know, I give it a, I give it a once-over and you know…

MIKE: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

LP: But I think that, just like how it’s kind of like, you know how kids do that thing where every kid seems to go through their phase where like, they love boots. They got the rain boots, they’ve got the cowboy boots and they dress in like 18 different colors and they feel great about it and they lose that as adults and we shouldn’t. We should just like, we should just go for it and like, you know, kind of dress like you’re never coming home again. Like, this is your outfit for eternity and you walk out of the house and you’re like, “I feel great.”

MIKE: You’re so, like, I was traumatized, so I’m the shortest male in my family and my…

LP: WHAT?!

MIKE: Yeah, I’m 6’5”, I’m the shortest male and…

LP: (LAUGHS)

MIKE: …my parents, literally, I wasn’t allowed to shop and I went to private high school so I had to wear a uniform but then I would go off to like parties and raves or whatever but…

LP: Yeah.

MIKE: …if they were gonna buy my clothes, I had to shop at Big & Tall. That was the only place I was allowed to shop.

LP: That’s tough, but I will tell you, you know what you gotta do is, uh, where are you located? Where do you live?

MIKE: West Hollywood.

LP: Oh, you’ve gotta go to this tailor that, um, I go to, uh, that uh, she does all of my jeans and stuff and it’s not as expensive as you would think, um, and it’s um, it’s, it’s the best. Like getting something that’s just made for you and uh, and it’s made to whatever you want.

MIKE: I just gotta say, I love that dress, because really if you think about it, dress how you feel inside today—don’t dress about how others would like you to be or what you would wanna get attention for but purely dress how you feel.

LP: Yeah.

MIKE: That’s awesome! I don’t know why that’s…

LP: I had this book in um, on a hotel I was at this one time and it was about um, dandies, like um, men that, super, dress up in suits all the time and, and looked amazing and        whatever and just like, you know, like fashion is definitely has things and like there’s, um, and it’s an artform in its own or whatever but there is also an element, I think, in fashion where it has to be a little bit of the wild individual, individuality that just takes control, ultimately and, and sculpt the thing that you’re into and you’re interested in and it’s, and it’s super fun and I think anyone can deal with it and it’s so liberating that you really, you know, I mean, listen, women first started wearing trousers, it was a whole thing, you know? But they felt great and they, it was life-changing and I think, like, you know men can’t necessarily couldn’t have, you know, even men looking back are like, “What are you,” you know, like, women had to wear the craziest shit just ’cause they couldn’t show their ankles and some shit, you know? I feel like I’m, you know, I’m living it for all of them. I’m just like, “Bitch… 

MIKE: (LAUGHS)

LP: (LAUGHS) Were good! We do what we want—yeah!”

MIKE: That’s sick—well listen, if you ever have the urge where you wanna go on some shopping frenzy hit my up on Instagram and let’s go.

LP: Hell yeah! I’ll go with you.

MIKE: Let’s do it.

LP: I think you gotta come see Anna at Denim Revival, though, ’cause she’ll change your life. You know that thing where like, you buy like, 10 pairs of jeans and you wind up wearing one of them and you’re just like, “Ugh, I have nine pairs of jeans sitting in my drawer.” Instead you take that one pair that you love and you go Anna and you’re like, “Can you, can you, kind of make another pair of these?” And then um, “Could you even do this or that, that like, I wish these just were a little bit wider at the bottom or like a little bit different and, and she does it and it’s like, pretty, pretty cool. (LAUGHS)

MIKE: Awesome. Well I’ll have to get—I’ll definitely get the info and I appreciate you coming on Always Evolving and uh, and showing up. I find you really inspiring and uh, thanks for joining me today.

LP: Thank you so much, Mike.

MIKE: Thank you LP for coming on Always Evolving with me, Coach Mike and thank you to all of you who have listened. Go follow LP, also check out the song and video “The One That You Love”. I love it—it’s my new theme song. Also—check out my free empowerment group, it’s at CoachMikeBayer.com. Look forward to bringing more guests to you next week. Subscribe, rate this and keep it magical.

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