Matthew: Where do you get your influences from and whom do you admire in life? Liza Lee: Seeing an amazing performer, hearing a new song, a good book, movies, going for a walks, swimming in the ocean, a stranger smiling at me, overhearing conversations about peoples lives on the subway… I get my influences from all over the place. I am a pretty random person. I admire my mom, my brother's strength, Joni Mitchell, my bass players Pat's love of life, Maya Angelou, my mentor pianist Bruce Barth, my friend Jen's love of people, my friend Amelia who is always trying to change the world. I admire a ton of people!
Matthew: Are there any regrets? Liza Lee: I believe that making mistakes is part of learning and growing as an artist. Trust me I have made a ton of mistakes in my life and in my career. And I also write allot when I am going through the life's trials and tribulations so at least I am getting some good material right? :)
Matthew: Do you feel that you have complete creative control? Liza Lee: I am not sure if there is such a thing as complete control in any situation. I will say that at this point I do have a great deal of say as to which direction I am moving in my career. I own my label Jazz Doll records so that helps. I don't have a major label telling me what I can and cannot do. But, the further along I seem to get in my career the more that I do have people giving me their opinions as to what they believe I should be doing. Agents, family, fans, strangers, you name it. That has been a strange feeling! I love to learn so I am definitely open to constructive criticism.
Matthew: Would you ever sign a major record label e.g. Sony BMG/EMI? Liza Lee: It would depend on the kind of deal that they were offering me. If a major label said "Hey Liza we will give you a big recording and marketing budget and the only thing that you have to do is be you." I would say yes of course.
Matthew: Which music do you listen to, who and why? Liza Lee: I love jazz, pop, rock, folk, and some classical music. I listen to Peggy Lee, Luciana Souza, Karrin Allyson, Sarah Vaughan, Joni Mitchell, Bjork, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Tori Amos, Ani Difranco, The Beatles, Kate Bush and Bryan Ferry. Right now I love Eminem's song Mosh. I also just discovered harpist and singer Joanna Newsom. Why? It just depends what mood I am in. I am a fan of many artists just like any other music lover!
Matthew: Where did you grow up and what was it like? Liza Lee: I grew up in Reading, Pa in the city. I know that most people hear Pennsylvania they tend to think of a suburban or even country kind of atmosphere. But, I grew up in the inner city. It was actually a pretty rough neighborhood. As I was growing up I did not recognize that. I had no basis for comparison. Now as an adult I realize that it was not the greatest area. Don't get me wrong your home is your home. So I will always love Reading but I am not sure if I would choose to raise a family there.
Matthew: Who were your influences growing up as a kid? Liza Lee: My mom was my main influence through my teenage years because she raised my brother and myself alone for many years. But, before my dad left our house he was my main influence. He is a very artistic individual. We listened to tons of music together. I remember dancing around the living room as a little kid with him. I remember him lifting me up into the air as the Beatles sang "Lucy in the sky with diamonds..." He also let me stay up late one night when I was four years old so that I could watch West Side Story. I was in love! He and my mom took me to the record store (I am showing my age now) the next day and they bought me the movie soundtrack. That is when I remember starting to sing. I ran around our house pretending that I was Maria.
Matthew: Does your family still play a part in your career and drive? Liza Lee: My family is very supportive of my career. My mother, my brother, and my Aunt Pat have always been there for me! I would not be doing this if it were not for them.
Matthew: What have been the high and low points of your life/career? Liza Lee: Wow, what a question! The high point in my career (so far) is definitely right now. I am working on a new CD of original music with some amazing musicians. I am getting to the point where I feel very at home on stage. I love performing live I never know where my band and the audience and I will get to go and that is an amazing feeling. What have been the low points of my career? I don't want to sound like a Pollyanna but so far I have been incredibly fortunate. Ok, as for highs and low's in life. I have been through a lot for someone my age. I think that you can hear that when I sing lyrics that I can relate to. At least I hope that you can. Jazz critic Scott Yanow referred to my CD “Scarlet Mark” as a haunting disc. I believe that is because I try to live it before I am willing to sing it.
Matthew: Which CD did you recently purchase and why? Liza Lee: I downloaded the Joanna Newsome song “Sprout and Bean” because a producer that I am working with played it for me and I loved it. The last full CD that I got on iTunes was Joni Mitchell's “Blue”. While I am writing and recording my new CD Joni has been a huge inspiration for me as she has been for so many artists. Her lyrics are really poems. This is the same way that I also tend to write.
Matthew: Will you post a message on Just Soul's forum? Liza Lee: Sure if I have something to add or say!
Matthew: When you come to London where would you like to perform? Liza Lee: Pizza Express!
Matthew: If Liza could change anything about the world what would it be? Liza Lee: I would like to remove President George W. Bush from office here in the United States. I would like to stop people from killing one another. I would like us to think about the consequences of our behavior now and how we might be affecting future generations. I want us to move the human race forward from a place of love.
Matthew: Thank you for your time. Looking forward to seeing you in concert soon. Liza Lee: Thank you too! And thank you for Just Soul it is an amazing site!
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