CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Peoria native Liv Warfield has come a long way from her track days at Portland State.
Since then, she's studied under Prince, performed in his New Power Generation backing band, toured Europe, produced several albums and now is making her mark on the Chicago music scene.
"Oh my God, the last six months, everything," she sighed. "It comes in a fast, beautiful fashion I think. Between my [nonprofit] Lena Blu, Cabaret Zazou and now my bandmates coming into town ... I've been waiting for this for such a long time. It just feels right."
In Noble Square’s Shirk Studios, she was listening to tracks on her latest album while rehearsing for her solo show next week at the Cambria Hotel.
"Wow, this sounds awesome," she smiled as she listened with headphones.
Warfield's vocals can be described as part Anita Baker, part Janis Joplin, part Billie Holiday — but she calls her own unique sound “alternative soul with a little bit of rock 'n' roll.”
"My husband and I moved to Schaumburg,” she said. “That's when I felt the community was trying to build. I wanted to find a community. Meeting other beautiful musicians in the Chicago area. I'm happy to feel like I'm part of something."
A recent trip to see Chicago legend Buddy Guy made a huge impact on her.
"He broke open all these doors for somebody like me to go to clubs and play,” Warfield said. “At 86, his smile, his love for the music, for the people, I want that. I was in tears and I felt moved by that. You have to love what you do. I was moved by meeting him. My mind was blown. I hope I can sing with him next time.”
Warfield has been performing as a cast member in Cabaret Zazou since August. During that time, she even learned a new skill which she's incorporated into her act: singing while hanging from the ceiling.
"This is brand new for me,” she said. “Dreya Weber, our show director, spent time with me, nurturing me. I didn't think I could do it because my back hurts. I asked her if I could possibly do ariel. I'm a thicker, brick house child. I thought about how I could hold my body weight. She worked with me for 6–7 months, and I just started doing it on my own. I love it. It's a freedom for me. It's [another] head space.
“It's a trip," she smiled.
Warfield said connecting with the Chicago community and music fans has been everything.
“I think creatively; the energy with me, it never stops,” she said. “I can't stop. It's a given with me to keep it going or I'll go stir crazy. This show in February will be alternative soul and rock ’n’ roll. My bandmates are from all over the country. I'm ready to play live and for my fans to see a different side.”
Warfield stars in Chicago's Cabaret Zazou six times per week. She's performing a solo show with her band on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel on Feb. 7.
“I've been dreaming about this performance for years,” she said. “It's a whole other level of performance art for me, because I get to add the aerial part to it. I'm excited about it. People who've been to my shows, we love putting on a live performance, but this one will be more intense. This is the next chapter of me growing into something I'm so proud of. I thought I knew who I was, but I'm in this space, and I feel like this is my awakening.”
What would her mentor, Prince, think of her success?
“He'd just laugh, he'd probably be sitting in the corner thinking, ‘Look at Liv, look what she's doing,’” she laughed.
Warfield's new album will be out in September 2023. Tickets to her one-night-only show at the Cambria are available here.
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