Loviet on Ripping the F*****g Set and Finding Her Sound
Loviet at RIOT FEST 2025 © 2025 Josh Boles
Some artists talk a big game. Then there are those who get on stage and simply prove it. Loviet, the Toronto-based indie rock powerhouse, took the stage at Riot Fest in Chicago and did just that. Her performance was a kinetic, unapologetic force, a testament to her honed craft and a relentless energy that felt every bit "larger than life," as noted by Exclaim! Magazine. In the often-crowded world of music festivals, her set was a standout, a pure and unadulterated display of the passion that fuels her.
In a conversation backstage, Loviet (born Natalie Lynn) reflected on the work that goes into a show of that caliber. "We just do the same thing, just rip the fucking set," she said with a laugh, her casual confidence a stark contrast to the arena-sized sound she and her band, drummer Ryan Perry and bassist Keith Whipple, had just delivered. Her inspiration, she noted, is simple: "seeing shows and… wanting to be on stage." She talked about her love for big stages and the unexpected connections they facilitate, highlighting a drive that is both deeply personal and intensely public.
A native of Nova Scotia, Loviet discussed the subtle differences between playing in Canada and the United States. She acknowledged the sheer scale of the U.S., with its countless cities and scenes, each with a distinct sense of notoriety. While Canada raised her on a steady diet of Canadian rock, she said that touring in the States offers a "whole new experience," a fresh perspective that keeps the work from feeling stagnant.
The conversation then turned to her musical evolution, from her earlier work to her new single, "Stiffy," and her EP, The Nighttime Is All In The Timing. She described her latest work as a return to the way she has "always made music," a project born from having the confidence and experience to do whatever she wants. However, she was quick to point out the brutal honesty of the process, particularly with production. She said it’s "fucking hard" and a constant struggle to avoid going crazy and doubting herself. But for all the roadblocks, she described the feeling of completing the project as "very fulfilling," and still a "baby step" toward what's to come.
Loviet's inspirations, she revealed, are drawn from the indie space—artists like Bully and Ben Steller. But a more foundational influence came to light when she was asked about seeing Blink-182 at the festival. She spoke of "Adam's Song" as a pivotal track, one that she and her childhood best friend, a bass player, bonded over. It was a song that made them realize they had to "fuck with this" and start a band, a deeply personal origin story for a rock-and-roll career. The future, she said, is all about the road. "More tour," she said, with the kind of unflinching certainty that can only come from a genuine love for the work. She described performing live as her first love, a feeling she's glad is "back to the way that it should be." For her, it's about being on the road, playing for "for real people and audiences," a raw, authentic connection that remains at the heart of her craft.
Loviet at RIOT FEST 2025 © 2025 Josh Boles
