For the past several years, captivating performer and expansive composer Lucy Liyou has used her music to navigate the tangled emotional terrain of identity, relationships, and (self-)perception. On April 17, her new project MR COBRA (Orange Milk) becomes the latest entry into her eclectic discography, following the heartwrenching “songs record” Every Video Without Your Face, Every Sound Without Your Name (Orange Milk, 2025), and diaphanous sampling assemblage Dog Dreams (개꿈) (American Dreams, 2023). Both an album and autobiographical solo performance piece, MR COBRA coalesces her classical upbringing; proclivity for experimentation; knack for storytelling and cultural narratives; and commitment to creating immersive theatrical performances. We delve into her process, inspirations, and self-reflections.
Lucy Liyou (LL): (Laughing) Oh my god, you’re seeing my government name, that’s killing me…
Yaz Lancaster (YL): I pretend I do not see it. (Laughter) We’re having fool’s spring in New York right now, so it was just a gorgeous 70 degrees yesterday – and now it’s literally snowing.
LL: That’s crazy! I’m going in like two weeks. What do I even bring?
YL: Couldn’t tell you! It’s fun though, it just means real spring is coming. Anyway, I just finished listening to the new album – Congratulations!
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