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What does LVNMUZIQ mean anyway? Well quite simply, Liz loves music and thought it wasn’t catchy enough to spell the band name as lovin’ music. Spelling it differently in a way that would look good as a website or email address was way more attractive and interesting. As a show of commitment to following her musical dream, Liz had the word “MUZIQ†tattooed on her right forearm.
Liz Snavely (guitar, harmonica, vocals), originally from Elkhart, IN, is 42, a graduate of Kendall College of Art & Design in Grand Rapids, MI, and has no musical training, other than a year of choir. Liz’s first job out of college was designing international industrial magazine ads. She also worked as a Graphic Designer for a law firm, a photojournalist for the U.S. Air Force, a Technical Support Manager at a telecommunications company, and a Telecommunication Sales Rep for a large telecommunications company.
Steph DeJong (violin), originally from Grand Rapids, MI, is 19, a sophomore at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI, and has had about 13 years of classical violin training. She is a Music Performance Major and is training specifically to be a violin soloist. Together they combine their different musical talents to create music best described as urban folk with an edgy classical twist. When Steph first joined the duo in November of 2007, Liz explained each song she had written to Steph so she would have a full understanding of the meaning and message. After listening, Steph added violin to Liz's music that brought out an extra layer of emotion. It is a great musical colloboration that has been going strong for the past 7 months.
Liz always knew she’d do something with music full-time, but it wasn’t until her 40th birthday that she decided to turn that dream into reality. “It’s sad to me to see so many people live their entire lives in a job that they absolutely can’t stand. I was that person and I knew I needed to make a radical change. I needed to find my soulâ€, says Liz. With very little training and even less experience, Liz took her heart, her self-discipline, and her passion in the direction she had always wanted to go but never had the courage to go. Liz had always been a poet but was unable to put her words to music until she began teaching herself how to play guitar.
She actually played in her Non-denominational, church band in Las Vegas playing rhythm guitar and singing background vocals. This was another way Liz beginning gaining victory over her stage fright and developed more confidence on stage.
Liz created a 6-song solo EP, "26 Weeks", in May of 2005. It was recorded in her dining room using Pro Tools on her computer. The songs were written during a 26-week lay-off from one of her jobs. At this point, Liz still wasn’t confident enough to play out in public. She knew that she had to get over her stage fright in order to go on tour as a solo musician. So she began playing at open mics. During the first two open mics Liz ever played, she broke a string and had to finish her songs using someone else’s guitar. She had never broken a string before that or since then. She kept playing open mics until she felt comfortable enough to start playing gigs. She mostly played at coffeehouses and house concerts. So she decided to start playing local solo gigs and go on tour across the country alone. Having dealt with years of anxiety, this was a huge step for her to take.
Liz didn’t want to be known as a traditional folk singer. So combining the raw edge of heavy metal producer, Lance Eichler, and the earthy tones of Liz’s urban folk style, they created the unique sound of LVNMUZIQ’s Debut CD “Orange Kiss†(released July 2006). This CD manages to keep the fine quality of the acoustic folk sound but laces its self in a non-traditional, edgy way, forming the intense sound Liz strives for. Liz used to refer to LVNMUZIQ as toe-tappin’ urban folk music and can still be seen tapping her bare feet to each song during a performance. The CD was made at Eastown Recording Company in Grand Rapids, MI. Just 4 blocks from Liz'shouse. Liz remembers, “I always had Wednesday’s off because I had to work Saturday’s. So every Wednesday for about 6 months I’d go record my 1st studio CD. The entire process was life changing for me. I was finally living my dream and had never felt so fulfilled. No matter how hard we worked or how expensive it was, I enjoyed every moment of it."
Since LVNMUZIQ became a duo, Liz and Steph have been touring nationwide. While Steph is in college, they gig together on weekends. So they are taking full advantage of the summertime and touring together all summer long. Within the last year, LVNMUZIQ has performed at over 100 gigs in 21 states and performed with talented artists such as Ellis, Pamela Means, Jennifer "JJ" Jones, Catie Curtis, and Emiko. In the summer of 2008, LVNMUZIQ will take the stage at some major music festivals with musicians such as God-des and She, Edie Carey, and Melissa Ferrick!!!
LVNMUZIQ music is going to also be featured in an upcoming independent film documentary called “Fagbug.†You can read more about Fagbug and it’s creator, Erin Davies, at www.fagbug.com.
LVNMUZIQ is committed to writing and creating music from our hearts, passionately, for ourselves and for others in the world who are willing to listen. Our words are important, our music is bold and emotional, and we encourage anyone to follow your dreams, be real, stand up for yourself, and believe in yourself. We love that music can bring many people together and be a beautiful, unique experience. We hope you know how much we love what we are doing. We are thankful to anyone who is a part of our musical journey!!
LVNMUZIQ released their 2nd studio CD, "Contemplating the Void" in March of 2008. "A cross between Tracy Chapman and Grant Lee Phillips, urban-folk singer-songwriter Liz Snavely, aka LVNMUZIQ, creates compelling, sometimes introspective, sometimes fiery acoustic nuggets on her second full-length CD. A powerful talent." (John Sinkevics - The Grand Rapids Press)
"Urban folk is the operative phrase when it comes to describing the music of LVNMUZIQ. Liz Snavely (a.k.a. LVNMUZIQ) has a distinct vocal sound that can warm up the chilliest spring morning and her songs have a way of working their way under your skin and making themselves a part of your being. "River," on which she is joined by violinist Steph DeJong, has a comforting flow, and the appearance of a harmonica on "Disappear" is a welcome addition. Snavely makes the void worth contemplating on "Contemplating the Void" and makes "Growing Pains" a painless experience." (Gregg Shapiro - Chicago Free Press)
"Liz is full of magic with her fingertips working the strings and her toes tappin' her way into our hearts. Even more stunning in person and full of energy that lives on even after the show is over. Simply...I'm addicted and can't wait for the next time!" (Jamie - Indianapolis, IN)
"LVNMUZIQ (Liz Snavely "in real life") is AMAZING--a TRUE singer-songwriter. Her songs are intense--whether she's singing about lust, the past, love, a crush, or 9/11, she has an incredible communion with language and music, literally touching everyones souls that have heard her." (Linda - Ft Wayne, IN)
