Introducing The Innovative And Multifaceted artist… LIE NING

If you’re looking for a dynamic artist who expertly blends the soulful sounds of R&B with the immersive synths of electro-pop, LIE NING is the artist for you. Born and raised in Berlin, the talented performer first made waves in the music sphere in 2019, following the release of their EP traffic songs for the inbetweens. Since then, LIE NING has continued to hone their craft, creating emotionally powerful songs that touch on belonging, love, and the nuanced struggles of modern life. Over the last few months, the captivating dancer has continued their upward trajectory within the industry by participating in The Goethe-Institut’s new Slow Touring project and releasing immersive singles, including their latest track, ‘Charade.’ We were able to chat with LIE NING about everything from their musical beginnings, their writing process, dream collaborators and more. Read our full interview below.

Hi, LIE NING! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. How’s your year been?

Thank you for the opportunity to share some of my thoughts. My year has been chaotic in a very graceful way. 

‘Charade’ is your latest release. Can you take us through the creative process for this record?

Writing Charade began last year with a trip to Nashville, Tennessee. I spent a week at a writing camp, surrounded by some of the most inspiring writers and producers I’d ever met. Being immersed in that world of dedicated musicians made me realise just how deeply unsatisfied I was in my own situation back home. A few months later, post-October ’23, as Berlin grew increasingly hostile to anyone questioning Germany’s stance on weapon exports and international affairs, I felt the weight of oppression stifling my creativity. That environment pushed me to make the difficult decision to move to a different country.  Writing Charade helped me process this shift. I wanted the song to feel light and sexy—a way to lift the heaviness off my own chest. That’s why Charade sounds more pop than anything I’ve released before; it reflects a liberation, a new beginning.

How would you personally describe your new music era?

Liberated maybe? Camp in a way of not giving too many f****. The new era feels younger to me, a quality that comes with age. 

Aside from music, you are an experienced model, dancer, art director, and LGBTQ+ and POC ambassador. What’s your secret to balancing all of these different talents and careers?

Am I really performing a balancing act, or is it just me constantly falling? I guess part of it is a necessity being a somewhat independent artist with limited resources. Then, of course, you realise how telling a story through different media creates a more diverse experience. Curiosity 

When did you first fall in love with R&B music? Which artists or albums heavily inspired your journey into the music world?

What I have fallen in love with is urgency in music. I am addicted to these raw moments in a song that strip away any production and lead right to the heart of the performer. I find that most artists with such agency in their delivery have experienced some form of discrimination or repression in their life. I guess some of the earliest examples for me were Anohni, Etta James, and Fela Kuti.

You recently came off The Goethe-Institut’s new Slow Touring project. What were some of your favourite moments from that experience?

I absolutely loved getting to know Queer communities in all these cities I have never been to. Manchester and Brussels were especially exciting. In Manchester, we stayed at the Islington Mill – a Queer Community project that has been hosting Workshops, Classes, Studio/Gallery Spaces and more for over 25 years – offering safer spaces for the local community. In Brussels, we were introduced to a flourishing Black and Queer community that deeply inspired me. 

What does your writing process look like? Any essentials or rituals? 

A continuous flow. I basically write every day, even if it is only a sentence or a single word. The idea is to allow any thought to be taken seriously. Once I am in the studio, I sort through all of these fragments and try to piece together what has been on my mind for the last couple of days or weeks. 

Can you give any spoilers of what to expect from your upcoming music? A follow-up album to Utopia, perhaps?

I do love working within the premise of an album. That being said, I find it more pressing to explore sounds right now. I want the soundscape to mirror my lyrics and vice versa. You can expect the unexpected, maybe? Definitely a follow-up to ‘Charade.‘

Are there any artists that you particularly want to collaborate with?

I am absolutely obsessed with Jamilah Barry at the moment. FKA Twigs’ new teachings are very inspiring to me, too and of course, Yseult.

Lastly, what type of impact do you want to have on fans and the music industry as a whole? 

I want us to be in the same room again. I don’t need to push my own agenda. The real magic happens when we exchange energy. And that is only possible [in real life].

Check out LIE NING’s latest track ‘Charade’ here or below.