Published: January 12, 2010 12:09 AM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight January 2010 Edition
Lisa Nicole Grace
Music Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series
Lisa Nicole Grace Photo by Erica Scott
Folk Singer/Songwriter Lisa Nicole Grace has that type of voice that will instantly melt one's heart. She sings with purity and clarity that fans can easily understand. What make her especially appealing are those wonderful lyrics that are full of life's lessons. Check out this recent interview that our Webzine completed with the artist as she talks more about her music amongst other things.
Isaac: I just listened to one of your songs titled, "Last Breath". What was the inspiration for making this song and your new album?
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Lisa: Last Breath" was a song I wrote during Christmas holidays in 2008. I had just finished reading the second book of the Twilight Saga: New Moon. I was a bit behind the rest of the world in discovering these books, and got them as a Christmas present from my older sister. I was inspired by the tragic love story of Edward & Bella (the two main characters). They were so ready to die for each other in the name of love. The lyrics of "Last Breath" are about sacrificing your very last breath to proclaim your love. It's a bit dramatic! This song was recorded just for fun at a friend's studio; it isn't going to be a track on my new record that I'm currently recording.
I'm currently in the studio recording my first full length album, to be titled "Prairie Bell". We are still in the early stages but hope to have the record released in the summer of 2010. The album will be ten tracks that I've written. We're recording at a local studio here in Edmonton called Turnkey Audio with our good friend Randor Lin. My husband Jered Evangelos, my brother-in-law Brent Schaitel and I are producing the album. It's going to be a mix of contemporary folk/roots/pop. I'm very excited!
Isaac: Who were your influences?
Lisa: Growing up my parents had great taste in music, and the artists that influenced me the most were the ones I heard on a regular basis in our home. A few huge influences as far as writing go are Bonnie Rait, James Taylor and Jann Arden. Jann Arden really stood out for me because she's a Canadian artist (from the same province as me - Alberta) that has done so well in Canada and all over the world. She's tells great stories with her songs, which is something I aspire to do.
Other artists that I listen all the time that definitely touch me and inspire me are Martin Sexton, Ryan Adams, Gavin DeGraw and Sheryl Crow. Also, the indie artist community in my home town of Edmonton really influences me, in particular my good friends Chloe Albert and Chanda Cooper.
Isaac: What do you consider to have been the highlight(s) and low point(s) of your career to date?
Lisa: I still feel like my musical career is just getting started sometimes. I've been writing, playing and recording for about eight years. I started late in life in comparison to a lot of people who have been singing since they were kids. The highlight of my music "journey" thus far would definitely be releasing my EP "The Cellar Sessions" in 2008. My husband, brother-in-law and I worked on this EP in our own little basement studio for a few months in the winter of 2008 and never really expected to release anything. But we did and it really just got the ball rolling as far as radio airplay, various write ups, features, and gave me the inspiration I needed to pursue a full length recording.
I wouldn't really say there has been one specific low point. There are lots of ups and downs in music and that's what makes pursuing it so exciting, frustrating, gratifying and intriguing. I've heard other indie artists refer to music as one big rollercoaster and I completely agree. The moments of joy and accomplishment always overshadow the moments of disappointment.
Isaac: Brief history about your background plus the style of music you play.
Lisa: Growing up I was always involved in the arts; never directly with singing and songwriting, but I was very involved in dance and writing short stories and poetry. I grew up in a house where there was always fantastic music being played. Towards the end of high school, I had to have spinal surgery which sort of put an end to my dancing days. When I couldn't dance anymore, I started singing. My dad put me in my first set of lessons at 17 years old. Within a few months, I auditioned for a college music program, and within a few months of that I started my first year of my music diploma. This soon led to a degree in voice. Then suddenly I was done school and experimenting with playing my original music around my hometown. These eventually led me to record and release my first EP "The Cellar Sessions." Two years later I'm now working towards my first full length record.
I find it hard to stick myself in one genre for the style of music I play and write. Sometimes it's a little more folk, sometimes it feels a little more roots/country and sometimes it's bordering on contemporary pop. Either way it's definitely music from my heart.
Isaac: How easy is it to gets gigs for you as an artist? What is the live music scene like in your area?
Lisa: Edmonton (my hometown) has some really great live music venues. Getting gigs isn't too much of a challenge as long as you're good at promoting yourself and getting people out to your shows. Since it's a smaller musical community it's important to establish a quality reputation for yourself. There is a fantastic pool of genuine singer/songwriters in Edmonton. I never feel in competition with my fellow independent artists, I always feel like we're working together to keep the music scene alive and thriving.
Isaac: What do you think of the state of Folk music at the moment?
Lisa: Folk music, at least from where I am in the world seems to be some of the most sincere, honest music out there. It warms my heart and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.
Isaac: Do you listen to radio much at all?
Lisa: I listen to the radio all the time. I have a bit of a commute to my day job so I listen to the radio on my drive. I listen to local radio, satellite radio and then Internet radio on my computer at work. Right now I am hooked on The Coffeehouse station on Sirius Satellite Radio. It's an acoustic singer/songwriter station that plays some really great up and coming artists - their original music and along with some wicked covers.
Isaac: Has the Internet helped music grow or hindered it in your opinion?
Lisa: I think the Internet has been a bit of a catch 22 when it comes to music. On the one hand, software programs like Limewire expose artists by allowing people to download music for free. But on the other hand, there are some amazing tools that have been introduced such as MySpace, YouTube, and Sonic Bids. These tools make parts of the music industry that were otherwise inaccessible, accessible to artists like me. Personally I feel like social media has allowed indie artists to interact with more established artists in a variety of ways that can benefit their musical careers. I've also used the Internet to communicate with radio stations all over the world that in turn have started playing my music, so it has served me well.
Isaac: If you could create a fantasy band - what would be the line-up and why?
Lisa: Great question! I had to give this one a lot of thought. Just thinking about these musicians all getting together in one room to back me up gives me chills and I almost start hyperventilating. Just to give you an idea of how much I admire them.
Steve Jordan on drums. I know of Steve Jordan because my husband Jered is a huge fan. I would have to have Jered play drums too so they could play together and Jered could die a happy man.
Arnold McCuller on back up vocals.
David Lasley on back up vocals.
Larry Goldings on keyboard.
Jerry Douglas on dobro.
Martin Sexton on rhythm guitar and back up vocals.
Michael Landau on lead guitar.
Pino Palladino on bass.
Isaac: What CD's do you currently have available and where can they be purchased from?
Lisa: Right now I only have my EP "The Cellar Sessions" available for purchase. You can purchase them online at my website, or my MySpace. To purchase a hard copy you must come to one of my shows! My new album will be available in summer of 2010!
Isaac: Where can fans access your music, videos, blogs, and anything else about you online?
Lisa: I am very accessible online at a number of locations:
Lisa: To anyone who listens to and supports my music, you aren't a fan you're my friend - a treasured friend at that. Thank you. I look forward to sharing more new music with you in the near future! God bless you!
