Think of the biggest female musician at the moment and it’s an unfortunate reality that it carries with it all sorts of connotations. Arguably music’s substance has been diluted in a way which sexualises and trivialises women. Yet there is a plethora of talent helping to eradicate the misconception of women being subservient in music or that to be successful you must be predominantly sexy. It still feels like it could be a healthier place. It seems the split between ‘Pop Princess’ and ‘Credible Female’ is more noticeable divisive than ever, but there is no doubt a place for both exist.
Enter Lissie. Hailing from Rock Island Illinois and now residing in the mountain valleys of Ojai, California, she is somewhat on the peripheral of both of the above assumptions. She boasts the ability to write songs with pop elements and an engaging hook, as well as obvious good looks. Yet her live shows pitch her on a pedestal as a talented guitarist, show woman, and all round entertainer proving impossible to ever place her in one box or the other. Momentarily doused in sweat from plucking riffs all night she does a particular justice to the term ‘playing live’, she enjoys tequila and simplicities. ‘’My friendships and family are really important to me. I grew up around my extended family and my grandparents’’ which ultimately proved massively influential. ‘‘I don’t think I realised how influential my Grandfather was at the time but he was musical and I think he passed down his genes to me and to my siblings. I’m the only one who’s pursued music but everyone in my family can sing pretty well and play. He was a music teacher and was always doing shows and sang at church as well as being in a lot of community productions and things, so I think being exposed to that looked fun and I wanted to do it’’
That big voice and impetus to perform saw Elisabeth Corrin Muarus take lead role in Annie aged nine. It wouldn’t be the first time Lissie saw red. In her senior year in high school she was expelled ‘’over something stupid’’. ‘’I played Annie when I was nine years old and did over ninety shows in that production. People trusted me at that age to do what I was supposed to do, be where I was meant to be and to get on with it. There were bullish teachers that I like to say were squashing my spirits. Teachers would hassle me and give me shit. But I’m also nice, I like people and don’t like having hate in my heart’. Citing Rock Island and its people with a ‘’straight forward way, that try to be helpful and try to be friendly’’ it was inevitable that when young puissant teen met the vehement and virile of a teacher it was going to have consequences.
‘Catching a Tiger’ was the catalyst for the emergence of a dedicated and loyal fan base. Music shapes and influences an artist and growing up Lissie “listened to bits of everything”. “When I was really little I listened to a lot of Pop music. Rhythm Nation was the first album I remember having and dancing to Boyz II Men. Whatever was kind of popular, but it was cool because I grew up at a time when there was really good R ‘n’ B on the radio. The whole grunge movement was when I was 12 and 13 years old and I was wanting to find my identity. With Nirvana I couldn’t understand the pain of it all but I wanted to be alternative because I was just a kid. I got really into Alanis Morissette, Liz Phair and Sheryl Crow as well’’
When asked how sophomore album ‘Back to Forever’ differs from the debut she states that ‘‘it’s not very different from before. It’s probable a continuation of where I am at the moment. ‘Catching A Tiger’ was very much about one person and ‘Back To Forever’ is influenced by several. Those people who come into your life and are going to be there forever. Or someone who comes in to teach you something about yourself.’ Its title was determined by the track ‘Forever’. Stumbling upon an old photograph of her and her siblings in their Grandpa Bob’s ‘’that’s when forever was forever. When forever really meant forever. When you’re that young you can be anything you want to be, and then all of a sudden you’re thirty and forever has a whole new meaning’’
There is a straight forward attitude and warmth to Lissie. Affable, polite and obliging .It’s no surprise when she reveals ‘’I’ve been listening to Haim and Tegan and Sara in the last while’’. The latter continue to deliver pop music with substance, remaining a positive voice without their music being overtly politic. The former delivered a debut which has pitched them inordinate amounts of admiration and are one of the most talked about and hyped bands for all the right reasons. Lissie pitches herself in good company, proof positive that things are okay for ladies in music.
Lissie’s new album Back to Forever is available now.
Follow her on twitter here.