Lilly Foo-Black
Before stepping onto the Derbyvision stage, Lilly Foo-Black spoke to Theatre Village about songwriting, vulnerability, and the emotional connection she hopes music can create. Representing Coxbench at this year’s community-led celebration of Derby talent, Lilly’s music blends honesty, reflection, and a desire to make people feel a little less alone. From rediscovering songwriting during a difficult period in her life to exploring themes of accountability, togetherness, and self-worth, her answers reveal an artist who sees music as far more than just sound
Q1. You’ve said music is your way of making sense of emotions—when did you first realise song writing could do that for you?
I have been writing from a very early age, I didn’t know quite how much it helped me when I was young. However, just under a year ago, I came out of my first year of university early due to struggling with my mental and physical health. This completely rocked my world. I was studying musical theatre: it was my life and purpose. So much so that I put too much pressure on it. With the time off I have re-discovered song writing for the first time in years, as a way of reflecting on my past, explaining what’s going on for me in the present as I am writing, and looking outwards to create a positive future.
Q2. Your work seems to focus on connection and helping people feel less alone—was there a specific moment that shaped that outlook?
Throughout my life, I have always been the type of person who wants to make everyone feel included, and often the first to notice if someone doesn’t feel as though they are (I have experienced that a lot myself). I think social media really factors into this- but after looking at those moments personally, and also speaking to others who have suffered with their mental health, so much of this comes from friendships, schools and society which really saddens me because: as human beings we have so much love to give, but when feeling insecure, we become susceptible to deflecting that onto others or becoming so self-focussed that we forget about others. I think every moment spent uplifting people re-affirms the outlook of togetherness from enjoying days out with my grandma who lives alone now to back in primary school where I would play with whoever was sat alone on the friendship bench.
Q3. How would you describe your sound to someone hearing you for the first time?
My sound comes from storytelling, my values, and I am quite adventurous with exploring my voice which makes it soulful, rich, and a little experimental. Musical theatre and pop have always held special places in my heart, but I am open to influence from all genres- especially being brought up amongst a mix of music from indie to classical. People who have particularly inspired me are Billie Eilish and RAYE.
Q4. Do your songs usually start with a feeling, a lyric, or a melody?
This is very song dependant for me, and my writing process is variable so I can flick between which comes first as I’m going from verse to chorus, etc. I am a perfectionist so there must be detailed layers of connected sound to create sensation. Whilst the songs’ origins can be hard to pinpoint, I usually have something I want to say, then get carried away with a melody to help me to find a felling.
Q5. You talk about accountability and awareness in your message—how important is it for you that your music carries meaning, not just sound?
This is so important to me! I love artists who speak up and make a positive impact on the world. I grew up in total adoration of Michael Jackson (especially ‘Man in the Mirror’) and I feel this same admiration for artists like RAYE who inspire us to keep going, help ourselves, and others too. Despite this, I don’t think the only way to reach someone is through lyrics- for me, music is like a universal language where messages, subtext, and so much more can be carried through a sound. I love when I feel that my sound and lyrics align, intertwining and feeding off of each other to create an atmosphere of emotion.
Q6. Performing something so personal—does it feel vulnerable on stage, or empowering?
My song, ‘Screen-Bound’ (which I’m performing at Derbyvision) exposes hidden coping strategies in society that we have become too reliant on. For it to have any sort of impact, it takes me acknowledging my own experience, past mistakes, or lack of awareness to share and inspire accountability. I’ve made this song quite vulnerable but like anything, the more you do it, and don’t have a completely negative outcome, the less anxiety provoking it becomes and you grow accustomed to it. At the moment, this piece doesn’t even have instrumentation which symbolises vulnerability and lets you listen rather than just hearing the song.
Q7. What can audiences expect from your Derby vision performance—more intimate, more powerful, or a mix of both
My performance will be intimate yet *hopefully* inticing…
Q8. Looking ahead, what kind of impact do you hope your music has—not just on listeners, but on the wider world?
It is my dream to create positive change: inspiring people to re-connect with each other, be kinder to nature, and most importantly find that same love for themselves. If you are truly content with who you are- aligned with your morals, that will naturally radiate, shine, and ripple onto others.
As Derbyvision prepares to bring together artists and communities from across the city, Lilly Foo-Black’s approach feels perfectly in tune with the spirit of the event itself — connection, honesty, and shared experience. Whether performing stripped-back vulnerability or exploring deeper emotional themes through songwriting, she hopes her music leaves audiences feeling seen, heard, and perhaps a little kinder to themselves and others. And if “Screen-Bound” is anything to go by, Derbyvision audiences may be hearing much more than just a song on the night.
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