Whether you're here to find out a little more about me, you're interested in the experiences of a 24-year-old musician in this day and age, or you just got lost and found yourself on this page - welcome!
What follows is a little interview with yours truly, so settle in with a beverage and have a scroll.
Who or what inspired you to take up the saxophone and pursue a career in music?
I don’t come from a musically inclined family, unless you count a love of the 80s and Northern Soul, or go back as far as my great-grandfather.
When I was around 8 or 9 years old, the peripatetic music teacher for my primary school came around the classrooms with students holding instruments. I saw the saxophone, and thought what most people think when they see one - “that looks so cool.” After pleading with my parents, I was fortunate enough to receive a student model sax for my birthday (and Christmas and the rest). We travelled to Taunton to collect it, then on to Bideford for a family holiday. I was so impatient and excited, I tried it in our holiday apartment. See incredible picture attached...
I dedicated myself to music, but somewhere around 14 years old, around the time of completing my grade 6, I almost gave up. I didn’t practice much, and I stopped getting the saxophone out or playing for enjoyment because I felt guilty not working on what I was supposed to be working on for my music exams. My mother, being the figure of wisdom that she is, told me to see it through to grade 8, then if I still felt the same way - sure, call it a day. By the time I reached grade 8, I was lucky enough to travel to New York with Gwent Music, and perform at Carnegie Hall and the Central Park band stand. Of course by then, I had already fallen back in love with the saxophone, and set my sights on finishing school to go on to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
The rest is history.
Who or what have been the most significant influences on your musical life and career as a musician?
The most important influences throughout my musical life have undoubtedly been my teachers. From Lucy Brunnock and Simeon Benavente in primary school, to Beth and Simon Linton in comprehensive school. Growing up in the local music service, conductor of the senior wind band, Paul Hornsby, was also a musician that I looked up to and absorbed knowledge from like a little sponge. And finally Lara James, René Wiik and Andreas van Zoelen throughout my university studies in Wales, Norway and the Netherlands. Any and all accomplishments I have achieved and will go on to achieve in my musical career, I owe to all of these wonderful teachers.
As I started to discover my love for music around 15 or 16, I remember musician Jacob Collier releasing his arrangements of Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing and The Flintstones. This influenced me to start making arrangements and montage videos of my own, as well as branching out in the music I listened to. I started listening to the band Lucky Chops, and saw them live in Bristol. I loved this new high energy ‘brassy funk’, and again, loved a new way of arranging classic tracks.
I started listening to American jazz saxophonists, and loved Eric Marienthal’s style in particular. His sound was so different to the classical style I was used to, and there was a certain charm about the pop jazz music he played, as well as the techniques he adopted for specific pieces.
More recently, I have been influenced by TikTok musician Hailey Knox. I first came across her videos in 2022 and instantly fell in love with the way she created live music using her voice and various instruments through the Boss RC-505 MKII looping station. So much so that I had to get my hands on the same looping station. I’m now immersing myself in her music and similar styles of electronic R&B, to achieve some very cool results in live recording.
What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?
Last year I graduated with a degree in music, and started putting it to use at the start of this year by going self-employed. I didn’t think I’d be working full time as a performing musician so soon after uni, so I’ve had to deal with a little bit of imposter syndrome, as things have moved so quickly in the last year. The whole ‘fake it till you make it’ really are words to live by, but it can be kind of scary in the beginning. The way I deal with this challenge is to imagine myself a few months in the future, when I feel more comfortable with everything I’m taking on, and assume the attitude of that future person.
Another huge challenge I’ve faced as a musician first starting out in another country is, you guessed it…Brexit. There are far more obstacles than there used to be when it comes to living abroad as a musician, which is unfortunate and frustrating, but shouldn’t discourage anyone from pursuing a career in music outside of the UK. It is greatly rewarding to experience a wide variety of genres and cultures, ways of thinking, and people from all over.
Who are your favourite musicians?
Much like when someone asks about your favourite book and you forget every book you’ve ever read, I cannot keep track of my favourite musicians. They’re always changing, and the list grows daily. But off the top of my head - Paul Desmond and Gerald Albright are my favourite saxophonists, Dermot Kennedy and Ren are some truly incredible songwriters, Damien Rice’s music is absolutely beautiful, and I think Raye is doing some really cool stuff at the moment, mixing genres within songs, like Genesis. There are undoubtedly more artists that have slipped my mind.
As a musician, what is your definition of success?
I think if you are happy with the music you are making, or the performances you are delivering, you’re pretty much on your way. Of course this also needs to align with making audiences feel something when they listen to you perform. Whether it’s happiness, vulnerability, a sense of relatability, or just pleasing to the ear. If you are happy with your performance, and at least one person feels something because of your music, I think you are a successful musician.
Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?
It’s a pretty well-known concept that if you want to be a musician, you have to love music. And that’s true to a certain extent, of course. But having a career in the arts can be incredibly demanding on both your mind and body, as well as creatively draining. So I have two things to keep in mind to keep that fire for music burning, and to take care of yourself.
1. When I find myself so immersed in work, I think of Eric Whitacre’s quote to students, and take a step back. I remind myself why I’m in this taxing but greatly rewarding career.
“As the semester grinds on, you may feel intensely burnt-out. You may even consider dropping out of music altogether. If that happens, go back and listen to your favourite recordings, make music with your friends, do anything you can to remind yourself why you loved music before you started studying it. An education in music can be a very good thing, but it can also squeeze the life out of any love you ever had for it. Don’t let it.”
2. YOGA YOGA YOGA. Yoga is good for musicians for so many reasons. It helps to build endurance, find balance, eases anxiety, increases muscles strength, improves your cardio and circulatory health. The list goes on and on, I’m sure. It could even allow you to have a longer career in music by helping to prevent potential physical health problems later on that are usually caused by repetitive stress and poor posture. But the main thing for me personally is that it is my way of unwinding, clearing my head, and letting go of physical stresses at the end of a long day.
How would you describe your musical style?
A common question I get asked is “what kind of music do you play?” My answer is almost always the same. “A bit of everything.” If I were to be a bit more specific, I’d maybe say blues, folk and funk, mixed with electronic vibes. Whatever feels good.
What is your most treasured possession?
My ukulele. I’m not much of a singer or songwriter but when I pick up my ukulele, I do both anyway. It helps to get some unpleasant emotions out and doesn’t require too much accuracy or energy.
What is your present state of mind?
Happy and healthy with a hint of stress.
British saxophonist Liv Brewin is currently developing her music career in Norway. Her passion for the arts has seen her travel abroad since the age of 16, and shows no signs of slowing down.
Although classically trained, this young saxophonist is branching out and exploring genres throughout Bergen’s vibrant music scene, whilst collaborating with local and international musicians.