interview:LIZZIE BERCHIE
Interview BY KOfi Owusu
Lizzie Berchie on ‘NIGHT SHIFT’, Stepping into Her Power, and Why She Eats Ice Cream with a Hot Water Bottle
If Lizzie Berchie’s voice doesn’t melt you, her honesty just might. The South London singer-songwriter has quietly become one of the UK’s most soulful storytellers. Her latest EP, NIGHT SHIFT, captures the tension between dreams and reality, the hustle of the 9-to-5 and the passion of the 5-to-9.
In this interview, Lizzie opens up about taking the leap into full-time artistry, navigating self-doubt, and what it really takes to thrive in today’s music industry. From headlining sold-out shows to performing at SXSW, she’s proving that R&B has a powerful place in the UK and she’s not afraid to advocate for the infrastructure it needs to grow.
We also get a peek behind the curtain: the anime obsession, the creative friendships, and her unique ritual of pairing ice cream with a hot water bottle. It’s all Lizzie — grounded, radiant, and refreshingly real.
‘NIGHT SHIFT’ speaks on the 9-to-5 versus 5-to-9 grind. What was the moment you realised you had to take the leap and commit full-time to music?
Lizzie: It had been bubbling for a while. I was juggling both my job and music, but I wasn’t able to give either of them 100%. And that really started to weigh on me. I’m someone who prides myself on doing things well, and when I started to feel stretched thin, I knew a decision was coming. After a lot of praying, overthinking, and conversations with people I trust, I just had a moment at work — it was a random Thursday at 5:30pm. I looked at my boss, she looked at me, and I walked into her office and said, “Hey girl.” And she immediately said, “I know.” She saw it coming before I did. That kind of support meant everything.
What were you doing before music full-time?
Lizzie: I was actually working within the music business, at a major record label. So I’ve seen the industry from both sides — as an artist and as an insider. It gave me a deep understanding of how things work behind the scenes. You can't learn that from a textbook. It taught me how to navigate this world while staying true to the art.
Which track on the EP was the hardest to write and why?
Lizzie: Pressure, without a doubt. I was coming off the back of finishing my second EP and honestly — I was stuck. Creativity wasn’t flowing, I was doubting myself constantly, and that little voice saying “you’re not good enough” was loud. Pressure was born out of that moment of paralysis. It’s about trying to hold on to your potential when everything feels like it’s slipping. But writing it cracked something open again. It was the start of getting back to myself.
You performed at SXSW in both Austin and London this year. What did that experience mean to you?
Lizzie: Austin was my first time in the States and it was magical. Texas gave me a kind of energy boost — the people were so warm and kind. I’d be walking around with my usual smile on and strangers would be like, “Hey sweetie, you’ve got a beautiful smile.” That just doesn’t happen in London! [laughs] The UK edition of SXSW was also incredible — performing after Sasha Keable, seeing the line outside the venue, and realising that people were sticking around for R&B... it was such a proud moment. It showed me that people here really care about the genre.
What do you think the UK music industry is missing when it comes to supporting R&B artists?
Lizzie: Investment. Simple as that. There’s so much talent, but there’s a real lack of funding, infrastructure, and long-term development. I get that the industry is risk-averse, but R&B is having a renaissance and if we don’t nurture it now, we’ll miss the moment. We also need better mental health support for artists — especially for those of us doing it independently.
Your headline show at St Pancras Old Church sold out — congrats! What was going through your mind before you stepped on stage?
Lizzie: I was just ready. Let’s go! I used to be such a nervous performer — seriously, I think I used up all my nerves before the age of 15. These days, it’s pure excitement. Performing is my favourite part of being an artist. Once the music is out, I’m immediately like, “Okay, when’s the next show?”
Did you celebrate?
Lizzie: [laughs] I went straight to bed. I’m champagne-in-the-morning energy, but that night I needed sleep. All the adrenaline drains me by the end.
You opened for Noname and played Mahalia Presents — huge moments. How did those shows shape you as a performer?
Lizzie: Touring with Noname was eye-opening. She actually followed me on Instagram and when her team was looking for support acts, my name came up and she already knew who I was. I was floored! The tour itself was tough — we stayed in hostels, lived out of suitcases, and were constantly moving. It wasn’t glamorous, but it built resilience. Mahalia’s night was the opposite — super intimate and soulful. She’s an incredible example of someone championing the next generation. I’ll always be grateful for that platform.
The ‘Happiness’ video is so warm and uplifting. What inspired its concept?
Lizzie: I gave a lot of creative control to the director, Delenn Vaughan — she’s amazing. My only request was that my real friends and family be in it. And they were! It completely changed the shoot. I usually hate being on camera — you can find plenty of behind-the-scenes shots of me looking grumpy. But when my people walked in, I lit up. It felt like a celebration, not a performance.
What’s one word that sums up how you feel watching it?
Lizzie: Overjoyed. 100%.
What three songs would you add to a feel-good playlist with ‘Happiness’?
Lizzie: Golden by Jill Scott, Woman by Little Simz, and Optimistic by Sounds of Blackness. That’s the vibe.
Who would you want DJing that playlist live?
Lizzie: A back-to-back set with Darkstepper and Supreme from Soul Surge. That would be a dream.
You’ve worked a lot with Hilts and Yogic. What’s your dynamic like with them in the studio?
Lizzie: Hilts is family — we met in uni and used to be in a band together. He knows what I want without me even saying it. It’s effortless. Yogic and I actually haven’t met in person yet! We worked remotely, sending ideas back and forth. That’s the beauty of modern music-making — the magic still happens, even over email.
Do you have a favourite fan reaction from a live show?
Lizzie: Yes! At one show someone yelled, “I LOVE YOUUUU!” mid-song. It completely caught me off guard and I giggled into the mic. I love when people are expressive like that. It makes performing so much more fun.
If ‘NIGHT SHIFT’ was the soundtrack to a movie about your life, what kind of story would it be?
Lizzie: Definitely a romantic action film. Like Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets a coming-of-age drama. Maybe a “rags to riches” story — but for the soul.
Who plays you?
Lizzie: Not me! [laughs] I’d love for it to be someone else. Maybe Marseille Martin — mostly because she wears glasses like me.
Your music often reflects growth. What would you say to the Lizzie who made ‘Am I An Adult Yet?’?
Lizzie: I’d tell her, “Stop crying so much!” [laughs] Everything is going to be okay. I wish I could hug her and say, “It gets better.”
You’ve had some big press moments — Billboard, COLORS, Rough Trade. How does it feel to get that recognition?
Lizzie: It’s surreal. Sometimes I’ll see my name on a playlist or in a feature and I’m like, “Wait — me?” You write music alone in your bedroom and suddenly people you’ve never met are connecting to it. It’s wild.
Any surprising ones?
Lizzie: Kiss Fresh! I grew up listening to that station. When I saw I was on their playlist I literally said, “Who approved this?!”
lASTLY, Tell us something your fans might not know about you. Hidden talent or fun quirk?
Lizzie: Two things! First, I’m a massive anime nerd. I watch Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, all of it. My mum even knows the characters now — she’ll be like, “How’s that boy’s sister doing?” [laughs]
Second: I cannot eat ice cream without a hot water bottle. No idea why, but I’ve been doing it since I was little. It’s a whole process. Ice cream in one hand, hot water bottle in the other.
Lizzie Berchie @ Shoreditch House
Pictures By: Yomi KADEJO
