Lisa Ramey – Surrender

By starrymag | March 22, 2020

By: Matthew Pepe

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) My sound is soul rock + R&B. It’s probably best described “if Tina and Aretha had a baby” – I think that’s me.

 

Q) How has it evolved since your EP “I am…Lisa Ramey?”

 

A) I’ve come so far since my EP. I grew up both musically and emotionally. Every year I learn more and more about myself. It’s been about two years since my EP and in that time, I have gained so much experience that I’ve been able to apply to my album’s feeling, content and sound.

 

Q) What drove your artistic evolution from dancer to recording artist?

 

A) I loved dancing but when I realized (at a very young age) that I wasn’t going to be a prima ballerina, I knew that I needed to find another way to stay in this amazingly artistic and expressive world without the dance shoes. I figured out I had a singing voice and ran with that.

 

Q) Please describe to our readers your creative and writing process.

 

A) It’s so much fun! I consider myself a toddler when it comes to writing. Sometimes my writing partner, Frank Cogliano, sends me an idea of a song. I then top line it (find a melody) and add lyrics. Other times I’ll write out some lyrics with no music in mind and send those to frank with some direction or an idea, like for “You Ain’t My Friend” I sent him a few key lyrics that were rolling around in my brain and I told him, “All I know is piano or guitar comes in right away.” I hear the expression of the lyrics without the music attached, but I know when I want a feeling expressed…and WHACK! Frank writes that awesome opening of the single and the melody that accompanies it. It’s so fun to see what we come up with when we bounce ideas off each other. Writing with Frank is like a game of hot potato with lyrics and music.

 

Q) What was the inspiration for Surrender?

 

A) Surrender is inspired by my life. Surrender is one huge diary entry.

 

Q) Do you have a favorite track off your upcoming album? What makes it your favorite?

 

A) My mind changes every day. “You Ain’t My Friend” is currently my favorite. I respect the song. Like Beyonce expressed with Lemonade, sometimes life gives you lemons. It’s our choice to make lemonade or wallow in our sadness …or in my case, instead of sadness, a terrible friend.

 

Q) Why was “You Ain’t My Friend” the track you chose to be your first single from Surrender?

 

A) “YAMF” is shameless. I leave it all out on the floor when I play this song live. Side note, I love guitar solos and I really want to leave room for instruments to let loose, again. I want nothing more than to play even a minuscule role in bringing back guitar solos!

 

Q) How did your experience on “The Voice” affect your artistic evolution and your music?

 

A) Honestly, I would have been an R&B artist if it wasn’t for “The Voice.” The first season I auditioned I made it to the chairs and no one turned around. On my sad walk of shame off the Universal lot and to the airport something epic happened. I heard a voice within me saying, “You’re a rock star, not a pop star.” Ever since that moment in the car in LA, I have been writing rock-soul. After my second round of auditions, when John Legend turned his chair, he asked me what my genre was and I instinctively answered – in retrospect I couldn’t believe I said “soul rock.” It’s definitely my niche, so thank you NBC!

 

Q) You have had experience both fronting a band and as a solo artist. Which do you prefer and why?

 

A) I prefer being a solo artist because I can say and do whatever I want. With a band, you MUST decide as a group everything that happens with your project. As a solo artist, I get to hire my team and control everything that happens. I didn’t realize until recently, but I am a control freak. It’s best for us freaks to be in charge! I’m too Type-A to leave my music and expression in the hands of someone else. That said, I think it’s very important to have had the experience of working with a band before. It taught me that I needed to do my own thing.

 

Q) I read somewhere that Aerosmith is the living artist that you would most like to collaborate with. How have they inspired you/influenced your music?

 

A) Aerosmith is the greatest. I love Steven Tyler because he’s so great at entirely being himself. People don’t realize how the brain works when you get on stage. You get all these ideas in your head of how you think you should perform. Sometimes you end up not even recognizing yourself on stage. I imagine that’s Steven’s experience and I want to be a performer who feels my music and goes with it naturally. I never want to be fake…Also, his voice shreds like a guitar (I want that) and he’s amazing to watch. He doesn’t need a crowd. He’s just being a badass and we are invited to watch.

 

Q) What was it like sharing the stage with Lauryn Hill at The Mothers Ball?

 

A) Lauryn Hill is a legend. Singing on a stage she just blew up felt like I was royalty. She was the Queen and I was the Princess. It felt amazing to pick up where she left off. I don’t get intimidated by legends; I get inspired. I probably had one of my best performances after her because I fed off her energy. It was amazing.

 

Q) Will you be touring in the US in the near term?

 

A) I wanna tour the US…and the entire planet. I’ve had the pleasure of playing outside the US and it’s overwhelming in the best way. I wanna know how everyone reacts to my music and I’ll play wherever they let me.

 

Q) What do you hope your fans take away from your music?

 

A) I hope they take away fulfillment. Some albums after you listen to them – you are full. Like a great meal, I want people to hear my album and feel complete and satisfied…totally satisfied. I hope that’s what they take away.

 

Q) What is your favorite moment from one of your live performances?

 

A) Nothing beats singing your songs that you write in front of strangers and getting applause. Truly, nothing.

 

Q) If I took a peek at your music collection, who would I be surprised to see in it?

 

A) NSYNC, Eminem, KC & JoJo, The Supremes, Live, James Morrison, Ben Harper, Fall Out Boy….The list goes on and on…How much time do you have? Haha!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of your music?

A) Thank You. I have been at this life for YEARS and the fact that I still have friends and fans in my corner means more to me than any award, playlist ranking or recognition. This industry eats you up and can spit you out at any moment… It’s scary. There are so many talented people out there looking for the same breaks but I choose to continue to climb the mountain. Throughout everything my people have stuck with me and I wish I could hug them daily. I also wish they were beside me throughout everything! I can feel their energy and sometimes it’s the only thing that keeps me going. So, just a huge THANK YOU.