About
Native to Houston, TX, Lively began songwriting in the late 2000’s with a focus on lyricism and melody underpinned by euphonic chording and a blend of folk/blues/Americana-inspired rhythms and instrumentation. Following the release of his debut EP, the Faintest (2013), Lively amplified his presence in the Gulf Coast music scene with the release of two full-length compilations, Feather (2015) and Distance (2017). Replete with spacious vocals, layered guitars, and a diverse array of meditative picking styles, the albums chronicle the evolution of an artist maturing into his own truly distinctive sound. October 2024 will mark the release of his fourth studio compilation, Where We Are Right Now.
Inspired by artists from City & Color to Townes Van Zandt and the Lumineers, there’s a contemplative, mellow presence to the album, blending country’s warmth with indie-folk’s charm. The 11-track album follows an over-arching theme of being present in the moment wherever you are. It digs deep, peeling back the surface-level layers, and pays attention to the good, the bad, the ugly, the dark and the light. The inspiration for the album developed from seemingly small and insignificant moments; mundane observations, interactions and thoughts, but through the power of music, Lively turns the ordinary into the extraordinary, revealing a much deeper truth about his life.
As a whole, Lively’s work is a collection of soulful, twangy, and sometimes haunting stories that each contain a magnetism that leaves you wanting more. The songs bespeak a songwriter unafraid of charting new terrain and interweaving a vast and ever-evolving range of influences in the process. Whether solo or with his band, Lively’s hypnotic and dynamic performance style can both introspectively calm you and energetically tug at your heart. If it doesn’t, the songs will at least be stuck in your head.