For Raquel Lily, childhood car rides were marked by her parents' command of the radio dial. They played nothing but smooth jazz, and she hated it.

"It's funny how your environment influences you," Lily says. "I've always despised the fact that every time we got in the car, we would listen to smooth jazz--but now it's become a part of me."

Lily's voice is a living testament to her upbringing. She sounds like a modern-day Etta James. With each note she sings, an undeniable soulfulness flows out. It's a sound she credits mostly to her childhood, which began in the Philippines, where she lived until age seven.

"At around nine years old, I started listening to classic rock," says Lily, citing rock legend The Beatles as one of her main influencers. "I kind of developed an ear without even knowing it--just listening to all this classic music."

Lily later moved to the states, living in New York City before moving to Miami to study neurobiology, physiology, and behavior at Florida International University.

Now in her fourth year as a Magic City resident, Lily says she feels as if her career is beginning to take shape. Just recently, she opened for The All-American Rejects at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. It was a show she says she'll never forget.

"Stepping on that stage, before these guys who have been doing this for so many years, it's like you have to play ball with them or you'll sink," Lily says.

Moments after walking on stage, the artist says muscle memory kicked in and she kept the crowd of charged students energized while she poured out a few of her songs--which are all written from a personal place.

"It's personal because I feel like it strikes me at very specific and intense moments," Lily says. "I just end up spilling my guts no matter what I do."

With several songs recorded, Lily is constantly searching for a catchy melody that pairs well with meaningful lyrics. Her creative process, she says, isn't anything formal.

"Creativity, to me, is very spontaneous," says Lily, who records everything from her home studio. "Sometimes I'll be walking down the street or I'll be driving and all of a sudden, a melody will hit me. If it's catchy, I'll remember it the next day. Or, it will be as random as being inspired by one word and then I write a whole verse out of that one word."

Lily's home studio, which is quite impressive for a self-proclaimed amateur, boasts a wide range of equipment that the singer seems to command with ease. After twisting a few knobs and positioning her microphone, Lily lets a few lyrics meander into her cozy downtown Birmingham apartment. It's hard to believe such a seasoned-sounding voice can come out of a 27-year-old.

When it comes to recording, Lily says she feels confident in her ability to produce something top-notch. Performing, however, is where the artist says she really comes to life.

"Besides the stuff that I do as a singer-songwriter, I also do a lot of freelance work. Weddings, corporate events--you know, just to pad the paycheck," she says with a smile. "I hope people know my music enough that they want to come out and see me live, though. Sure, you can record a lot and make it sound good in the studio, but what kind of show do you bring? I feel like that's where the future of music is always going to be."

Sounding much like the old-soul that her voice portrays, Lily says she's ready to continue climbing the rungs of Birmingham's thriving music and arts scene. She has even recently enlisted a few horn players and other local musicians to collaborate on a few projects.

"You just have to remind yourself to be true to yourself," she says. "I think if you're genuinely confident, then it'll show."

Details

For information on upcoming shows, visit raquellily.com.

--By Sarah Cook | Photo by Eric & Jamie Photography

This story appears in Birmingham magazine's November 2017 issue. Subscribe today!