Liana Cornell: A Healing Journey Through Music and Life

Over the last 18 years, I have had the privilege of interviewing countless individuals who radiate a profound inner light. These are the people whose presence alone can inspire and uplift you, urging you to be the best version of yourself. Sitting across from Liana Cornell was like being in the presence of an ethereal being. Her soft-spoken nature, the warmth in her eyes, and the love that seemed to emanate from her every word made this interview one of the most memorable. As we discussed her new album, Rising, and the personal healing journey that shaped it, I was reminded of the incredible power of resilience and the beauty of turning pain into art.

Liana Cornell is a multi-faceted artist whose highly anticipated album, Rising, is set to release on October 31st, coinciding with the Celtic New Year. I was fortunate enough to hear the first track, “Anam Cara” (Soul Friend), ahead of our interview. The song, released in August, left me captivated by its depth and beauty. Inspired by healing frequencies that align with the chakras, Liana’s music is a reflection of her own journey through illness and grief, particularly the loss of her father, who has continued to guide her through this transformative process.

Sitting across from Liana, it was hard to reconcile the vibrant, healthy woman before me with the story of her diagnosis with a condition—a condition she was told she would live with for the rest of her life. Yet, Liana’s belief and determination have proven that when you put your mind to something, anything is possible. She is well on her way to full recovery, a journey she attributes to her upbringing in Byron Bay, surrounded by healers and mystics who gave her the confidence and knowledge to overcome her diagnosis.

A Healing Journey Begins

“I come from a line of women who are very into herbalism and homeopathy,” Liana began, reflecting on her childhood. “I also grew up with a lot of nature-based practices around, like Wicca and Celtic lineage, and things like that. I am from Byron Bay, which, when I was growing up, was like a hotspot of all different wellbeing modalities. I started meditating and practicing yoga when I was really young.”

Byron Bay, known for its strong spiritual and healing energy, played a significant role in shaping Liana’s approach to health and wellness. “It’s a very feminine, healing energy,” she explained. “It’s where the rainforest meets the ocean, and it’s really special. Growing up in that environment, you experience things that others may not. I would see people meditating in the middle of the street, and there was a lot of gratitude practice and things like that.”

Her wellness journey, deeply intertwined with her spiritual journey, took on new urgency when she was diagnosed with a disease in her 20s. “I brought into practice all the things I had learned growing up—through food, meditation,” Liana said. “I became a Reiki healer, then a Reiki master, which, along with other holistic practices, and within three months, helped me manage my condition in ways I hadn’t expected, as told I would have for the rest of my life. I think it was very stress-related too.”

Liana’s story is a testament to the power of holistic healing. “My experience with the condition has been unique, and I’ve been fortunate to find ways that significantly improved my quality of life.” she continued. “I think that not only having a really good relationship with food, growing my own food, and all the things I had learned, like the work of Louise Hay, it helped me to see the patterns in my illness and how they were all connected emotionally, and helping me finding the root cause.”

The Healing Power of Music

As Liana continued her journey of self-healing, she began to explore the healing frequencies of music. This exploration eventually led to the creation of her album Rising, which transports listeners on a journey through the seven chakras. Each track created to enhance relaxation and mental wellbeing, utilising scientifically proven frequencies such as 396 Hz, 417 Hz, and 528 Hz to promote mindfulness and healing.

“I started working on this album, and as I had finished recording the first song, which is the first single, I received the news that my father was dying,” Liana shared. “I spent the next four hours singing to him and telling him stories, kind of guiding him into the next realm. The rest of the album really took on a deeply healing journey.”

What struck me most about Liana’s music is its accessibility. “What people hear when they listen to it doesn’t necessarily sound like healing music,” she explained. “I wanted it to be multi-genre to reach different people who wouldn’t necessarily listen to healing music.”

Indeed, when I first listened to “Anam Cara,” I expected it to sound like New Age music. Instead, it was the type of music I could easily imagine playing on the radio alongside mainstream artists. Liana’s goal was to make healing music available and accessible to people who may not have considered listening to it before.

“The album was really allowing me to hold on to something through the healing process,” she said. “Music is one of the most powerful tools that we have. The frequencies are based off Gregorian chants from the 1500s, and in modern day, they’ve been linked to chakra points.”

Liana believes that the world is ready for this type of music. “Previously, it’s been seen as a bit ‘woo-woo,’ but now there are more and more studies coming out showing the benefits of certain types of music and sound frequencies to heal ourselves on a cellular level,” she said.

Music as a Tool for Healing and Connection

Liana’s music is a reflection of her personal journey, and it’s clear that she has poured her heart and soul into this album. “Anam Cara” is aligned with the heart chakra and is a track very close to her own heart. “The whole song is about that longing for love outside but then also finding love within, which I think is kind of the key to give ourselves self-love,” she said. “I love self-love, I’m really into it.”

Another single on the album is inspired by Taoist philosophy, which Liana studied during the lockdown.“I studied beneath a Zen Buddhist called Hung Tran, and an Ordained Taoist Monk called David from Wu Wei Wisdom. It really helped me with the immense grief I was carrying,” she said. “like many people during that time, I faced numerous challenges, which helped me connect more deeply with my own healing journey and with others going through similar experiences.

Inspired by Zen Buddhism, one of the album’s tracks is about recognising that you’re not the weather, but the actual thing experiencing the weather. “So you’re not the clouds, but you’re the sky; you’re not the waves, but you’re the ocean. Anytime I felt these big emotions coming through, I was able to kind of observe myself, still experience it, but observe myself rather than get lost in it.”

This philosophy helped Liana navigate some of the most challenging experiences of her life. “It was just one thing after another—and then realising that for me and my own belief system, I’d signed up for these things and was able to experience them because I was strong enough and capable. Then, to be able to take the things that I’ve learned and offer them to people who are also going through those experiences, for me, is like the gold out of it.”

A New Chapter in Cornwall

Liana’s journey has taken her far from her roots in Byron Bay, and she is currently in Cornwall. I was curious about how her mystical, Wiccan lifestyle might fit in with her new neighbours. “Being in Cornwall amongst different faiths and religions as introduced me to diverse perspectives, and I cherish the opportunity to learn from and connect with my new community,” she said.

What Liana has discovered is that, despite our differences, we all have the same fundamental desires: “We all want access to healthcare, education, food, community and to feel safe, with a roof over our heads. I feel like this is the thing to focus on and looking at how we can provide those solutions. And so I think that doing this, so much can be gained.”

She is a big believer in focusing on the good. “I think it’s really important to recognise the inequalities and the things that need to be solved, but I also think it’s good to focus on all the good stuff and believe in making what we deem impossible, possible”

Liana’s journey from actress to musician has been one of courage and determination. “People thought I was nuts when I wanted to record an album because I was an actor,” she admitted. “But just to be able to go and do it because you never know—there might only be one person who connects to it, but if it helps them blossom in their own way, that would be wonderful.”

Her message to others is clear: “I believe that many people have beautiful ideas waiting to be realised. I encourage you to pursue them, as the journey can be incredibly nourishing and rewarding. Take the leap because it just is the most nourishing process for me and for other people. So I think that’s probably the kind of thing that I feel most passionately about from this experience.”

A Musical Offering to the World

As I wrapped up my interview with Liana, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration for her journey. She has taken the pain and challenges of her life and transformed them into something beautiful—a gift of healing and connection through music. Rising is not just an album; it’s a testament to the power of self-love, resilience, and the healing power of art.

For those who listen to Liana Cornell’s music, it will undoubtedly be a journey—a journey through the chakras, through the frequencies that heal, and through the experiences that shape us. And in doing so, it may just inspire others to embark on their own journeys of healing and self-discovery.

Anam Cara is now available to stream on all major streaming platforms. Anam Cara is the third single from faery’s debut album, Rising, due for release late 2024

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