Published: April 19, 2009 4:26 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight April 2009 Edition
Lisa Smith's Powerhaus
Lisa Smith's Powerhaus
Take two extremely talented performers who both add something new and refreshing to the band and you will have the magnificent duo of Lisa Smith and Chuck Page. Both Smith and Page are already established solo artists but combined they make beautiful music that will have you falling in love with Rock Music again. Add in the soulfulness of Lisa Smith and you have one hot smoking band. In this recent spotlight, I spoke to Lisa and Chuck who share their quest to create something that fans will not soon forget. Enjoy!
Isaac: How do you sum up 2008 for Lisa Smith's Powerhaus?
LISA SMITH
Lisa Smiths Powerhaus has had an extremely productive year in 2008.
It really began with the writing and creation of Maze of Souls in March of 2008. Soon after we opened for major Canadian recording act The Headpins at Toronto's Rock n Roll Heaven.
With the release of our debut CD Maze of Souls on Halloween it's been full speed ahead.
The CD is now currently available through CD Baby as well as HMV stores.
We are currently on Radio Station play lists in over 25 different countries World Wide from Australia to Japan. For an "Indie" band to create this much buzz with no official label. We feel we have accomplished a lot in the very short time our CD has been available.
The CD is receiving praise from a number of different Rock Reviewer Magazines. Quotes such as "the coming together of Smith and Page is nothing short of seismic" I believe that statement says it all, and predicts the great things expected from us as individual as well as musical creators. We plan on delivering just that!!! Rock Music... That is nothing short of Seismic.
Isaac: Expound a little about growing up in Toronto, Ontario.
LISA SMITH
I actually grew up in Saint John New Brunswick and moved to Toronto after winning a major original music contest that took place in Halifax. I was advised by Kim Cooke, VP of A&R of Warner to seriously consider moving to Toronto hook up with some of the great musicians that reside here and begin recording and performing.
A year later with first and last months rent saved and $35 bucks in my pocket I made the journey to Toronto and still presently reside in the big smoke.
Isaac: What do you feel was your biggest accomplishment for Lisa Smith's Powerhaus in 2008?
LISA SMITH
The creation of our CD Maze of Souls has begun to put us on the 'Music Map" so to speak. Chuck Page and myself have had our own successes as individual musicians over the years. However, it appears we have a musical synergy that seems to be capturing a lot of attention. We are very proud of the music we have created and look forward to Rocking our fans for many years to come!
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
LISA SMITH
My first taste of Rock n Roll was sneaking and playing my older brother's Metal albums when he wasn't home. He had all the "greats" of the time, bands like Zeppelin, Kiss, Deep Purple, Priest, Sabbath, Rainbow, etc. After hearing Hotter Than Hell by Kiss at the age of 4 and being able to recognize even at that age the "Voice" of the band, I immediately knew that being a singer/ front person was what I wanted for my life and have devoted my life to it. In my early teens after realizing that I have a very powerful voice, I decided to take my career in singing more seriously and began voice lessons at the age of 12. I walked into the Royal Conservatory of Music handed my instructor a cassette of Queensryche (Geoff Tate being my all time favorite vocalist) and said teach me how to sing like this. I continued to study for an additional 10 years with 3 different instructors; disciplines including adult contemporary, classical with my focus on opera.
CHUCK PAGE
My main influences as a guitar player, the guys who could really play, are/were Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Johnny Winter, and Eric Clapton. When I listened to them play the guitar, I got it right away. It touched my heart and soul with a huge force; an unstoppable force of good feelings and empowerment.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel you will bring to the music industry as an artist?
LISA SMITH
Lisa Smith's Powerhaus is an extremely hard working band that brings the best of the 70's and 80's style rock and combines that with refreshing R&B under currents making our sound new yet familiar and very much our own.
CHUCK PAGE
We are bringing the ROCK back in "Rock and Roll" with a special focus on really being able to play and reach people with emotion and power. And to make people feel good and inspired when they listen to our Music.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
LISA SMITH
I believe Geoff Tate from Queensryche to be the best vocalist in Rock n Roll/ Metal. I spent many years practicing vocal techniques to Queensryche Songs. While all my friends were out having fun and hanging out, I was in my bedroom trying to perfect notes and phrasing in songs like The Killing Words, No Sanctuary, Take Hold of the Flame and one of my all time favorites The Lady Wore Black. To have the opportunity one day to sing with Geoff Tate would not only be one of the greatest experiences of my life…. It would be my ultimate dream comes true!!
CHUCK PAGE
I would love to work with Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton. Why? Because they are the best and they are still alive. And I would learn a lot and just be in AWE of their great Talent!!
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
LISA SMITH
Lisa Smiths Powerhaus creates loud, hard driving melodic rock n roll with R&B undercurrents. This band takes the best of the 70's and 80's style rock and combines hints of a pulsing R&B groove. Whitesnake meets Donna Summer.
CHUCK PAGE
Our Music…is…Powerful, Melodic, and created right from the soul. And it really Rocks!!
Isaac: What is your definition for Rock Music?
LISA SMITH
All great rock n roll consists of a catchy riff with, a memorable melody, lyrics written from the heart and delivered with feeling!!!
CHUCK PAGE
Rock Music has to do something to you. It has to move you and make you feel good and forget about your troubles even just for a moment.....tap your foot and just rock out!!
Isaac: What can fans expect from your debut CD released in 2008 Maze of Souls? What is the inspiration behind this CD?
CHUCK PAGE
Fans can expect to hear real great songs by people that know how to really play...and sing. The inspiration from this CD was inspired by the Coming together of Lisa Smith and Chuck Page. It is a record that needed to be made by forces BIGGER than the two of us!!
LISA SMITH
Lisa Smith's Powerhaus, Maze of Souls is simply Rock n Roll at its finest!! As Chuck said, there is something bigger than the two of us that has inspired this CD; a force if you will that has brought the two of us together to create great music. Our music is created from the heart and soul not formula therefore always capturing intense feeling and emotion. With so many bands writing about how bad everything is in the world. I call it doom and gloom rock, we hope our music sheds a bit of happiness and inspires people to keep going no matter how bad things may get from time to time. And if we can help one person forget their troubles for even 5 minutes by listening to our music then our purpose as musicians, artists and performers has been accomplished!!
In regards to what has inspired this CD. For myself, the writing, it's about experiences I've had in my life. Emotions I have felt and the people who have entered my life and have had both positive and negative impacts.
Or thru HMV Stores ask your local retailer for details
Download available through ITUNES
Isaac: What can fans expect from Lisa Smith's Powerhaus in 2009?
LISA SMITH
Lisa Smiths Powerhaus plans to be topping the airwaves worldwide with songs from our debut CD Maze of Souls. We begin small tours this year around Canada and have our hopes set high on a European or Australian tour later in the year. The second CD is approximately half written and we look forward to heading back into the studio by late summer. If all goes as planned, the release will happen before the end of 2009.
CHUCK PAGE
2009 is shaping up to be a great year for us. We have lots of shows and festivals to do this year. And we are writing songs for our 2nd CD.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans…
LISA SMITH
I would personally like to thank my family for bailing me out time and again, for their endless support.
To my friends…thank you for being there through thick and thin and always watching my back.
To my fans… your support means everything. A song is only a song without someone to share it with. It's a wonderful experience to have touched people with the music we have written and are so passionate about.
CHUCK PAGE
A very special thanks to all the fans who bought our CD and come to the shows. And to ALL the people we have Jammed with us at the clubs in the last 4 years and of course my family and very close friends.
Isaac: Final words from Lisa Smith's Powerhaus…
LISA SMITH
Thanks to everyone for their support we have some great shows and a new CD in the works this year and we look forward to Rockn' ya in 2009. Stay tuned to our website www.lisasmithspowerhaus.com for updates. Peace and Love everyone!!
CHUCK PAGE
We are here for the long Haul. We are just getting' started and look forward to more records. And coming to your town for a show, so give us a call.
