Interviews
Lisa Bouchelle – Jump In!
By: Lisa Steinberg
Q) How would you describe your sound?
A) People have been referring to my sound as Alt-Americana, which I think is a pretty accurate description. The songs are all based around my acoustic guitar, which I use to set the grooves and then we incorporate elements of rock, pop, singer-songwriter, even gospel, depending on where the song wants to go. It’s even been described as “Americana Glam” because, while it stems from my Americana roots, it also has an element of a little more flashy style added in. I love Americana, but I also love some of the sizzle that many artists have included in their music over the years. What I like most is that many fans tell me that when they hear one of my recordings, they know right away, “That’s a Lisa Bouchelle song!”
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) I listen to such a wide range of artists from Lady Gaga to Waylon Jennings. I always love classic folk rock, Neil Young being an all-time favorite. This album really let me draw on the wide range of artists from so many genres that have influenced me all of my life. I think sometimes several influences often show up in one song!
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Jump In!”
A) I wrote “Jump In!” when I was out on tour with Blues Traveler. I was doing the shows solo acoustic and I wanted a high energy, boppy song to kick off my set because you have to try and get the audience’s attention right away. That’s sometimes a challenge in big venues when it’s just you and an acoustic guitar. I was jamming constantly on the chords and groove backstage for a few days and then the lyrics came to me. I was playing it so much that Blues Traveler road manager, Gina, said to me that if she hears that song one more time she’ll smash my guitar, or something like that! The lyrics are about “jumping in” and taking a leap of faith and overcoming doubt and just believing that you can do it, whatever it is you’re deciding to do. The song started out acoustic and we built the band’s parts around it to augment it. We are debuting the song on this new record, and it’s getting quite the ‘spotlight’ as the title track. Hopefully, Gina will hear it on the radio now and say, “Oh no, not that song again!”
Q) How did you come to work with G. Love on the track?
A) Yes, G. Love played harmonica on the track! I’m a big fan of his; his music has such a unique style. I met him when I was out on tour sharing the bill with Donovan Frankenreiter. He was at some of the shows and came over and told me that he enjoyed my set. I had a harmonica solo in mind for “Jump In!” and immediately thought of G. I thought his high energy vibe would add a lot to the song. He was into recording on it, and it turned out even better than I even expected.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) I hope they think of “Jump In!” as a sort of call to action to “Go for it!” and take that chance. All of us have chances we want to take! For those who aren’t as tuned into the lyrics, I think they just dig the groove. It’s that type of rootsy, acoustic-based funky, rappy song that has a beat so infused with energy that it just makes your body and soul want to move!
Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?
A) The video has attitude and energy, like the musical and lyrical message of the song. There’s a bit more of a literal aspect to the video though, in that we’re literally “jumping a lot in it! It was quite the cardio workout for the band the day of the video shoot, and a lot of fun to do!
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) I often play and write lyrics at the same time, and I feel the groove I’m jamming on reminds me of a particular subject matter or vibe. There is one song on this record, though, that I thought would remain a poem. “I Believe” was a poem I wrote while I was in Key West. Somehow, I was feeling down that night and wrote those words as a mantra to myself, something I could come back to and read when I needed to be reminded to believe in my dreams and keep moving forward. It became a source of strength for me. I let a trusted friend read it and they loved the words and so I considered putting them to music so that I could perform the song and reach more people who also might find strength in the message. First, I wrote complex music behind it similar to a Roy Orbison epic piece of music and then I changed it to a simple 4-chord song that mostly relied on dynamics to build it. I ended up liking that version the best because it kept the chord arrangement simple enough to really let the words and vocals shine. My production team helped me take it to another level, and it became the powerful rock ballad it is today. I had help with some friends playing on it, like Peter Mayer and Doyle Grisham from Jimmy Buffett’s band, and the cherry on top was recording it as duet with the Constantine Maroulis of “American Idol” and Broadway’s “Rock Of Ages” fame.
Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) I am there throughout most of the production process, observing, commenting and also bringing production ideas to the table when I have them. I’m definitely a collaborator on the production. However, there are often times my production team is able to come up with amazing ideas I wouldn’t have thought of because I am sometimes “close” to the song. For instance, if I have been road testing a newer song and performing it live for a little while, I might be doing the song in a particular arrangement that I’m growing accustomed to. My team may stand back and say, “I think the arrangement could be stronger if we changed this or that.” Sometimes that can make all the difference in making the song shine, and I say, “Oh wow, I wouldn’t have thought of that, and it’s great!” I love when that happens!
Q) You have an album on the way as well. What are some themes you’ll be exploring on it?
A) The record has a powerful energy running through it that’s almost a theme of finding strength in less than perfect conditions (i.e., Life), and powering on forward the best way we can. I also wanted to make a record that encompassed all of my vast musical influences to create something with a style that was fresh and unique, and I definitely was able to use my entire vocal range on this record, from storyteller tones, to full on rock-ballad style belting!
Q) This album follows up your EP Lipstick Tomboy. What was the difference in process between creating the EP and this new album?
A) I think on Jump In! we unapologetically pulled on the wide variety of styles that have influenced me, using all the colors in my “musical palette” so to speak. Our main focus was to make each song shine and give it the treatment and production that was best for that track. It was also unique that no one on my team was performing live during the making of this record Jump In! due to the pandemic. I really feel like we cloistered away for the duration and poured ALL of our creative musical energies and passion into the making of the album. I think it made this album extra special.
Q) What song(s) off the new album hold a special place in your heart and why?
A) They all do, as many artists will tell you. Songs are like your children, and they all hold a special place in your heart, but I will talk of a few specifically here:
Since “I Believe” was a mantra to remind myself to keep believing in, and supporting, my dreams and my calling and my vision for my music and career, it means so much to me. I hope others can use it in this way as well.
“Straight & Narrow” is the story of the journey of a survivor who keeps pushing forward through obstacles in a life that’s less than perfect to find their own way. It’s the story of most, or perhaps all, of us, flawed and beautiful. The music I wrote for the song draws on some of my earliest influences, like listening to my mom’s collection of folk artists on vinyl. The marriage of haunting minor chords that open up into major chords of hope set against a constant forward-moving folk rock groove that help the story unravel and unfold. I still have her collection of vinyl and listen to it often.
“Twice As Tall” is an empowerment song that inspires us to pick ourselves up and keep trying on days that life beats us down. It talks of how we all stand “Twice As Tall After The Fall.” In these unprecedented times, I feel it’s definitely apropos.
“Love Is for The Making” has a chorus that was with me for a few months before the verses came to me one night at 4 AM in a hotel room in Nashville, when I was on the road doing some live shows and writing sessions in Music City. I feel like the verses were waiting for me there in Nashville so that I could complete the song. “Love is still the answer, still the truth and still plan. So don’t close your fist around it, let it flourish in your hand.”
Q) How did you shake off a long day in the studio recording this album?
A) Not easily! [laughs] I was so vested in it for sometimes fourteen hours a day. I often thought if I stopped chewing on it all mentally, I might miss an idea that was important to the project. But it’s best to give one’s brain a break at the end of the day, so I usually best accomplished that doing a vigorous workout afterwards, which gets me out of my head, and then by watching HGTV!
Q) What do you hope listeners take away from it?
A) I hope that after they listen to this record that they feel different from when they began it. I think the songs as a collection will take the listener on a journey through different emotions and grooves that all deal with the varied way life is in general. I think they will feel a lot of power from this record. There was no “phoning it in” on my end. I gave it my all in the writing, production and performance. I feel like real music fans appreciate that, hearing and feeling the ‘realness’ and rawness coming out of the singer-songwriter. Plus, I know that some of the catchy songs will surely stay in their head all day!
Q) With concerts having been on hold, what have you missed most about being on stage?
A) We were set to go on our tour, which got postponed. We’re now looking at a fall touring schedule. I have missed the synergy with the live audiences. In fact, when it first hit and everything got cancelled, I actually cried because I missed my fans so much. I’ve been able to do some more local live shows recently, and that has been so great. During the pandemic we did free Facebook Live performances for the fans. That was nice, but there is nothing like the energy of a live performance for me. It is magical and it my favorite part of being a singer-songwriter.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) Lady Gaga, Orville Peck, Barbra Streisand, and Miley Cyrus to name a few!
Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?
A) It allows me to reach fans who are anywhere in the world. They can check out the photos, videos and find out when I might be touring through their town.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) Thank you for listening! I hope I am using the gift I was given to bring something to you that helps you smile, cope, dance and sing along and maybe communicate and connect better with one another. I hope it has enhanced your lives in some way. Thank you for what you have given me, which are smiles, laughter, fulfillment and the chance to bring you music and performances which allow me to make a living following my calling and doing what I love. Remember to follow your calling and the unique “song that is in your heart.” You mean so much to me! Peace & Music, y’all! xoxo
You must be logged in to post a comment Login