We had the good fortune of connecting with Liam Slater and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Liam, how do you think about risk?
I think risk is inherent in being a professional creative for anyone. You have to bet on yourself that you’re going to “make it”, and that is risky. In order to give yourself fully to your creative passion there’s a lot you have to give up. Personally, I quit my job, moved to a city I knew no one in, left my friends and family, all to pursue a dream. That’s not an uncommon story, especially in Nashville. That’s what it takes. All of your energy, money, and time need to go into being a musician if you want to succeed, because there are plenty of other people who are giving just as much if not more. There’s risk in giving that much to anything, you’re putting all your eggs into this one basket and hoping it works out. Frankly, I don’t have a plan B, this is it. Music will work out for me because I have no other option. I cannot do anything else. Honestly, music is already a plan B for me of sorts, I had a nice office job, I was a coach at a high school, and I gave it up because I had to do this. I had to do music.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I fell in love with country music when I was young. I loved the story telling and the truth that was behind the words they sang. I felt that country music was real people talking about real experiences, it was authentic and raw. As I got older, I felt that country music got away from that authenticity and leaned into more commercial manufactured sounds. I decided that I was going to be the change I wanted to see in country music. So I moved to Nashville in 2019 to put the truth back into the genre. I don’t write songs about trucks and beer, I write songs about real things happening to me and others. It hasn’t always been easy, sometimes people don’t want to hear the truth, and turn away from my music. It also hasn’t been easy finding the words to say, because it takes courage to say the truth when everyone around you isn’t. But I am so much happier now, I love the music I am writing and I love sharing it with people. Being authentically yourself is something I talk about in my latest single Black Sheep. I wrote it for myself to encourage me to continue being true to myself, and to not be swayed into conforming. It’s a song that means a lot to me, and I think other people resonate with it because of how authentic it is.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I come from a family of chefs so restaurants are a big deal. Nashville has a bunch of fantastic restaurants that I love bringing people to. Kisser, Locust, Hawkers, 2 Ten Jack, and Barcelona are all amazing fine dining experiences that people have to try. I also love sushi and asian food, so I always recommend Sushi Train, and Shabu Shabu because each of those are fantastic.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to shoutout my family. My family has always supported me, and even pushed me to move to Nashville. They have never made me feel crazy for chasing this dream, they’ve always built me up and made me feel like I can do this. My aunt gave me a piece of advice that I carry with me, before I moved to Nashville we were talking and I said I feel a little crazy for doing this what if it doesn’t work out? She told me “someone has to make it, why can’t it be you?” Those words keep me going, especially in the face of rejection. I am thankful I have such a loving and caring support system that I can lean on when I need them. I love my family.

Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@LiamSlaterMusic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LiamSlaterMusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiamSlaterMusic

Image Credits
Chris Lee

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutTennessee is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.