Q&A: Lilly Bedard on Writing Through Doubt and Discovering That “Not Everything Ends”
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY DANIELLE HOLIAN ☆
In a world where music often serves as both mirror and refuge, singer-songwriter Lilly Bedard stands out for her raw, poetic lyricism and heartfelt storytelling. With her latest single, “Not Everything Ends,” Bedard captures a deeply personal moment of hope and permanence, marking a pivotal shift in her songwriting. Known for blending alternative pop, folk pop, and singer-songwriter influences, she continues to carve out a unique space that resonates with listeners seeking authenticity and emotional connection.
Balancing life as a full-time student-athlete at Babson College and a rising musician, Bedard’s creative process is both intentional and spontaneous. Her lyrics often stem from fleeting thoughts captured in voice memos or scribbled notes, later woven into songs that feel both intimate and universal. With inspirations ranging from the powerful simplicity of Sheryl Crow to the layered, natural soundscapes of Fleetwood Mac, Bedard’s music explores the complexities of human emotion while maintaining a grounded, relatable sound.
“Not Everything Ends” emerged during summer at home in Florida, a rare window of time when Bedard could fully immerse herself in recording before returning to the demands of school in Boston. What began as a raw, organic composition—just guitar, live drums, and vocals—soon transformed into something profoundly meaningful. Enlisting her boyfriend to play drums, despite his lack of professional experience, added a layer of personal connection that elevated the track’s emotional resonance. The moment Bedard heard the live drums shift to match the song’s emotional arc, she knew she had created something special. Even if the song never found commercial success, she felt it would always hold a unique significance in her life.
Yet, “Not Everything Ends” almost didn’t come to fruition. Struggling to find the right chord progression, Bedard faced the familiar challenge of deciding whether to push through creative blocks or let the song go. Her guiding principle? Authenticity. If a song truly means something to her, she’s willing to wrestle with it until the magic reveals itself. This perseverance paid off, resulting in a song that not only resonates with her personal journey but also offers listeners a sense of hope—that even in the face of difficult pasts, good things can endure.
For Bedard, vulnerability is at the heart of her music. By inviting listeners into her world, she creates a space where shared experiences can foster connection. Whether channeling heartbreak in “Habitual Loser” or exploring love and hope in “Not Everything Ends,” her willingness to be open transforms deeply personal moments into something universally relatable. This emotional honesty, coupled with her evolving sound, has drawn comparisons to artists like Lizzy McAlpine, whose recent album Older has profoundly influenced Bedard’s approach to songwriting.
As she looks ahead, Bedard hopes to build an EP around “Not Everything Ends”—a project that captures her current chapter both personally and musically. With themes of love, hope, and permanence taking center stage, this next collection promises to showcase her growth as an artist while remaining rooted in the raw, introspective storytelling that defines her music. In the meantime, listeners can find solace and inspiration in “Not Everything Ends”—a reminder that even in life’s unpredictable moments, some things are meant to last.
LUNA: "Not Everything Ends" is such a deeply personal song. Can you take us through the moment you realized this song was coming together in the way you wanted?
BEDARD: When I wrote and recorded this song, I was putting the final touches on my EP Winter. Since it’s much harder for me to produce and record while I’m in school in Boston, I wanted to take advantage of being home in Florida for the summer and get something recorded. With everything else I had going on, the song came together in a really raw and organic way—just a few guitar tracks, live drums, and vocals.
I’ve always wanted to incorporate live drums into a song, and it felt so right to have the person I wrote it about play them. So, I brought my boyfriend (who isn’t a professional drummer) into the studio with me that day. The moment I heard the live drums being laid down—how easily they could shift to match the emotion of each part of the song—I knew I had created something truly special. I remember thinking, Even if this song never finds commercial success, it will always mean the most to me.
When I sent it over to my producer, Cathy Ponce, and heard her positive feedback, I got even more excited. This song was personal from the start, but that moment made me realize it was something I really wanted to share.
LUNA: You’ve mentioned that you almost scrapped this song before finding the right chord progression. How do you decide when a song is worth pushing through versus letting it go?
BEDARD: For me, it all comes down to whether the song feels authentic and truly means something to me. I constantly jot down thoughts and feelings throughout the day—some become potential song ideas, while others take the form of small poems that could spark something later. But when I sit down to write and hit a creative block, I have to figure out why. Sometimes, it’s because I know I have a great song, but I just haven’t found its magic yet. Other times, it’s because I don’t fully believe in what I’m writing. With this song, I knew I was onto something from the start. Even when I struggled with it, I just couldn't put it down. That’s when I knew it was worth pushing through, no matter how long it took.
LUNA: Your songwriting has been praised for its raw and poetic lyricism. What’s your typical writing process like? Do you start with lyrics, melodies, or something else entirely?
BEDARD: It’s such an honor to hear that because songwriting is hands-down my favorite part of the music creation process. My writing process can vary, but it usually starts with a line or melody that gets stuck in my head—often while I’m driving, walking to class, or in the shower. I make sure to jot it down or record a quick voice memo so I don’t lose it. Then, when I have time to sit down with my guitar or at the piano, I figure out the right chords to bring it to life and build the rest of the song around it.
But sometimes, when I’m feeling really emotional and just need to get something out, I’ll sit down with my guitar or piano, and a song will flow out of me effortlessly in 10–20 minutes. Those are my favorite moments—the ones that feel almost like they were waiting to be written. Winter definitely has a lot of those songs on it.
LUNA: You’ve spoken about struggling to write about happiness. What was different about writing "Not Everything Ends" that made it feel authentic to you?
BEDARD: Out of the hundreds of songs I’ve written, maybe two or three are actually positive and happy. That’s partly because songwriting is such a cathartic process for me—it’s how I work through intense emotions—but also because I just love heartbreaking music. There’s so much nuance and depth in negative emotions, and I find them really compelling to explore. That being said, some of my favorite songs in the world are love songs, so lately, I’ve been challenging myself to write more positively. While “Not Everything Ends” definitely has some darker undertones, touching on a difficult past leading to a happy present, at its core it’s a feel-good song. It’s not about unbridled joy—it’s about hope. And honestly, at this point in my life, I do feel really hopeful for the future which makes it feel very authentic.
LUNA: What role does vulnerability play in your music, and how do you balance personal storytelling with making songs relatable to a wide audience?
BEDARD: I firmly believe that what’s authentic to you will always resonate with a wider audience. At the end of the day, we’re all human, and our experiences—while unique—are often more universal than we realize. My song “Habitual Loser,” for example, is about a very specific and slightly juvenile life experience of mine, but even my dad told me that it fires him up and makes him feel the energy of screaming a song at the top of his lungs at someone who wronged him. My dad is definitely not a teenage girl, but that moment was the perfect reminder of how music can transcend age, circumstances, and life stages. That’s why I try to be as vulnerable as possible in my writing. That’s when I create my best work, and that’s when listeners can truly connect. The more I can invite someone into my world, the better.
LUNA: You’ve cited artists like Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow as inspirations. How have they influenced your sound and approach to music?
BEDARD: One of my earliest memories of music is listening to “If It Makes You Happy” by Sheryl Crow on repeat in my childhood bedroom. There’s something about the simplicity yet sheer power in the line, “If it makes you happy, then why the hell are you so sad?”—paired with her raw, emotional vocal performance—that sparked something in me. I want my music to make people feel that way. Songs like “Silver Springs” and “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac also embody that powerful simplicity. I love how their music feels both intimate and expansive, using layers of natural sounds to create something more complex. I also love incorporating natural imagery in my writing in the same way that Stevie Nicks does with songs like “Landslide.” What I also love about Stevie Nicks is she never let circumstance get in the way of vulnerability in her writing. I’m obsessed with her performance of “Silver Springs” on stage, singing right to Lindsey Buckingham. That moment is unreal.
LUNA: "Not Everything Ends" represents a shift in your songwriting towards themes of hope and permanence. Do you see this as a new direction for your music moving forward?
BEDARD: Hopefully! I write based on my life and experiences, and lately, that’s been centered around love, hope, and a sense of permanence. But I also want to explore new themes and find ways to express the complexity of day-to-day emotions—because no matter how happy you are in a relationship, life is still full of ups and downs. I’ve also been really enjoying writing from other perspectives. One of my songs, “Pretty Things,” came from that approach, and I loved the creative process behind it. It’s exciting to step outside my own experiences and tell stories in a different way.
LUNA: If you could collaborate with any artist—past or present—who would it be and why?
BEDARD: I would love to collaborate with Amy Allen. I’m so enamored with her as both a songwriter and a musician. Being in a room with her would not only push me to bring out the best in myself but also give me the chance to learn from her process—especially how she works with other artists. That would be an absolute dream.
LUNA: Your music blends alternative pop, folk pop, and singer-songwriter influences. How do you navigate different genres while still maintaining your unique sound?
BEDARD: Genres can be tricky for me because I love so many kinds of music, and my sound is always evolving. Lately, I’ve been focusing on stripping my songs back to how they sound when I first write them, then enhancing them with indie and pop elements. I think my listeners have really connected with my more acoustic style recently, and it also helps me stay true to the song itself. Overall, I try not to get too caught up in genre—I focus more on how the song is asking to be expressed.
LUNA: Are there any albums or songs that have had a profound impact on you recently?
BEDARD: I can’t even begin to explain how much I love Lizzy McAlpine’s most recent album, Older. The way she has carved out her own lane with music that’s both deeply personal and widely loved is so inspiring to me. She’s never strayed from her authenticity, yet her sound continues to evolve in such a natural way. Her writing style is the perfect blend of artistic and intimate, and her live performances with her full band are incredible—so cohesive and moving. I also love her aesthetic and the range of topics she explores, from love to mental health to her father. She’s a total genius, and Older has been especially inspiring to me lately.
LUNA: As a full-time student-athlete at Babson College, how do you find time to create music alongside your academic and athletic commitments?
BEDARD: I’m unfortunately someone who needs eight hours of sleep a night, and honestly, that really holds me back. Kidding—but also, not really. In all seriousness, it’s a lot. I constantly wish I had more time and energy to pour into everything. But at the same time, I feel like without having such a full and vibrant life, I wouldn’t have as much inspiration for my music. Music has been a vital outlet for me throughout college, and I honestly don’t know who I’d be without it. Having my community at school and on my team has been huge for my confidence. I love hearing my songs play at practice, and my teammates are always the first ones at my live shows. Beyond all the marketing, press, and scheduling that can get overwhelming, the hardest part is often just setting aside time to relax and be creative without pressure. I really have to protect that time at all costs.
LUNA: Do you find that being a student and athlete influences your music in any way—whether through discipline, storytelling, or themes in your songwriting?
BEDARD: Absolutely. Being both a student and an athlete has shaped my music in ways I didn’t expect. The discipline and time management I’ve learned from balancing school, sports, and music have made me really intentional with my creative process—I have to make the most of the time I set aside for songwriting. Storytelling-wise, being an athlete has given me a unique perspective on themes like perseverance, pressure, and the highs and lows of chasing something you love. There’s also a strong sense of camaraderie in sports, and that feeling of connection and shared experience definitely influences how I write. On a more personal level, having such a structured and demanding schedule makes music even more important to me—it’s my outlet. Whether it’s processing emotions, finding a sense of escape, or just creating something for the joy of it, music is where I get to let go of expectations and just be.
LUNA: Has your college experience changed the way you approach music, either in terms of your creative process or the themes you explore?
BEDARD: That experience has shaped my music in such a huge way. Leaving home for college was harder than I expected—it felt like I was pulled out of the safety and warmth of Florida and thrown into something completely unfamiliar. The adjustment was tough, but what surprised me the most was how inspiring the seasons became for my songwriting. Growing up in Florida, I never really experienced true seasons, so moving to Boston was a complete shock. I started noticing how the shifts in weather mirrored the phases of my life and emotions. Winter, especially, became a huge metaphor for me (hence the Winter EP)—it represents change, loneliness, and even growth in ways I hadn’t considered before. And, of course, college came with plenty of ups and downs in my love life, which gave me so much to write about. I was figuring out who I wanted to be and who I wanted to be with, and music became the space where I could process all of that.
LUNA: What’s next for you? Can we expect an EP or album following “Not Everything Ends?”
BEDARD: You can definitely expect a new single in the next few months! I’m hoping to build an EP around “Not Everything Ends”—something that really captures where I am in my life right now, both personally and musically. This next project feels like a natural continuation, and I’m excited to explore new sounds and themes that reflect this phase of my journey.
LUNA: What do you hope listeners take away from this song, and what message do you want to leave with those who connect with your music?
BEDARD: I hope listeners take away that everything truly does get better and that things have a way of working out. This song is for anyone who has ever felt desperate to hold onto something in an unpredictable life. I want to give people a sense of hope—that good things can find them and, more importantly, that they can stick around.
