INTERVEW: Lilly Fitts @ Newport Folk Festival 7/24

Interview and photos by Cooper Formica

Lilly Fitts made her first pilgrimage to the Newport Folk festival this year. The Boston native, who initially rose to prominence as a cover artist on TikTok, released her debut album, “Getting By” last year and just finished her first cross country tour this spring. Following her performance on Friday, Fitts spoke to WTBU.

Cooper Formica (CF): So, this is your first time at Newport?

Lilly Fitts (LF): Yes, this is my first time playing. 

CF: How’s it been so far? 

LF: It’s been incredible. I’m so honored to be here and I’m just so grateful to have the opportunity to play. 

CF: Do you have any sets planned for the rest of the festival so far?

LF: Um, I’m not really too sure. Maybe hop up on a few, but we’ll see. 

CF: And I take it you just had your first album come out last year?

LF: Yes, I made my debut. 

CF: And you’ve been on a tour ever since. How’s that been? 

LF: It’s been so fun. I just feel so grateful to be able to play to all these different audiences in all these different cities across the U.S. And then I’m gearing up to go to the UK at the end of August, so I’ll be there for a headline run too, which is crazy that I have fans over there so far from home. 

CF: It’s your first international tour?

LF: Yeah, my first time headlining internationally. 

CF: Are you going to be doing any openers or touring jointly with anybody? 

LF: I’m definitely gonna have an opener. I’m not sure who yet, but stay tuned for that. 

CF: So you grew up in Massachusetts. How does that affect your music?

LF: I think growing up in Mass, it teaches you to be very brutally honest, and I think that kind of transpires through my music. I’m a very open and honest person, and I think that kind of transcends through my music, and that’s what I hope. And I just always want to be someone that’s you know being their true self. And I think that’s the music that I’ve always gravitated towards, and the songwriting that I’ve always loved and appreciated. 

CF: As far as Massachusetts-based artists, is there anyone that’s inspired you? 

LF: I think Noah Khan definitely. He’s a huge inspiration, and I think his music is just like the pinnacle of you know authentic, honest, vulnerable. And so yeah, he’s a huge inspiration to me. 

CF: Do you have any other projects coming up for this year? 

LF: There’s definitely a few in the works, so stay tuned for that.

This interview has been edited for clarity