Lily Halpern describes herself as an “everyday girl,” but there is nothing ordinary about this 18-year-old Boston beauty.  Beyond having the ambition to pack her bags and move to New York to pursue music, Halpern is an old soul with pipes that warrant the attention of any pop/R&B fan. Now, she’s showing the world exactly what she’s made of on her stunning debut EP Not Gonna Cry.Halpern discovered her love of music in kindergarten, and though she was just five years old, she remembers it like it was yesterday. “We had art class, music class, reading class and numbers class, “ she says. “But I never wanted to leave music class.” The tenacious teen spent her youth listening to “classy ladies with big voices,” and to this day, she says that Motown is her biggest indulgence when it comes to music. Halpern cites Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Joss Stone, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga as contemporary idols, drawing inspiration from their talent, spirit and fearlessness.

The influence of those artists is evident in her songs, particularly in the title track of her EP, which was produced by Alex Cantrall (JoJo, Nicole Scherzinger, Vanessa Hudgens). “Not Gonna Cry” shows the expansiveness of Halpern’s velvet voice, which covers an impressive three-octave range, and demonstrates the singer’s innate, wise-beyond-her-years songwriting capabilities. “It’s about the point you get to in a relationship – whether it be with friends, boyfriends, family, yourself, whoever – that you have put so much time and effort into something, and it means so much to you, but it just isn’t working,” she explains about the song’s lyrics. “You don’t know whether to abandon it, or keep going, but you know you are done with letting it consume you – something has to change.” That sense of empowerment is a theme that is close to Halpern’s heart, and one that she aims to echo throughout all of her songs, whether they are about boys, friends or school. Her lyrics have been inspired by all that she has experienced in
life, which, she says, is the reason why her songs are so relatable.

 While the world is getting their first taste of Halpern, the diligent singer is hard at work on the makings of her debut album. She has been collaborating with several producers and co-writers to sculpt her sound, which will encompass “danceable pop music, with a soulful edge and an empowering message.” In 2011, Halpern looks forward to touring with pop phenom Cody Simpson, and will continue to concentrate on her craft and forthcoming LP. For now, she’s just reveling in all the possibilities. “My music is for the everyday girl, because I am a normal, everyday girl,” she says. “I go through the same growing pains and triumphs that any young girl does; I’m just lucky enough to be able to express it through my music.”