LA-based artist Lily Forte took to the Girlhouse stage for an acoustic set that turned an East Nashville backyard into a listening room. Forte brought a touch of retro glamour to the evening, her vintage-inspired look setting the tone before she sang a note. That same sensibility extends to her music, blending the grit and glam of rock ’n’ roll with touches of classic jazz. There’s a timeless quality to her sound, but it never comes across as an exercise in nostalgia. Instead, Forte folds those influences into something distinctly her own, pairing an ear for melody with a textured vocal that’s as rich as it is expressive.
That balance came through on originals like “Loners on the West Side” and “Out of the Blue.” Forte also welcomed Nashville-based artist Brielle, a longtime friend and former classmate, to the stage for a cover of The Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down.” The pair’s take on the classic felt right at home alongside Forte’s originals, nodding back to the rock influences already woven throughout her music. By the end of the evening, Girlhouse felt like a natural fit for Forte, its backyard setting complementing the warmth and richness of her sound. More than anything, the night reflected an artist with a clear point of view, both in the music she makes and the world she’s built around it.
- Drew Noble
Photos Courtesy of Drew Noble (For Bell Music Magazine)
