Every Monday we will be bringing you interviews with unsigned UK or Ireland artists for Independent Music Monday. Recently we caught up with unsigned Essex singer Lisa Wright to find out more…
Where are you from and how did you first get into music?
I’m a born and raised Essex girl! Music was always in my life but I got into being an artist quite late. I’d wanted to write and perform music for ages but didn’t think I could do it because I didn’t have this big, belty voice like so many of my favourite artists. Then when I was at drama school, I wrote my first song and that just sparked something inside me. It was this amazing feeling that I’d created something and so I started gigging and it was spiralled. I just needed to believe in myself. Ultimately, I loved creating stories.
Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
As a 90s kid, I was massively into the girl/boy bands: Busted, Spice Girls etc etc but my Mum would always play Motown and singer-songwriters of the 70s and even then I was so obsessed with the lyrics. As I’ve grown up, my favourite artists who I take influence from are: Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Patty Griffin, Paul Simon and Kacey Musgraves.
How would you describe your sound?
I’d say my sound is classic singer-songwriter with hints of country/folk. My voice is quite emotive and so I love writing songs that reflect human connection and stories.
What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
I’ve just released my new single ‘Everything Changes’ and first had the idea after I was watching the news about this celebrity couple, who were glamourised by the media, and they announced they were divorcing after 19 years of marriage. The news reporter bluntly said that the judged declared it over in 26 seconds and that was crazy to me. How you can build a life with someone for years and all the memories and stories you share and for it to just be done in seconds… so I really wanted to explore the timeline of love and how it doesn’t always work out how you want it to and I feel like the song is a bittersweet reflection on that.
What’s your local music scene like?
Essex has a great music scene! There’s many decent venues around here and loads of people to collaborate with. I love it.
What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
This year is focused on recording and releasing new music. I have about 4/5 songs that are good to go and (finally) be shared! My sound is a bit different to what some people might be used to for me but I really love the direction it’s going down and hopefully others will love it as much as me!
Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
I would love to write with Lori McKenna someday. I just think she’s incredible…
Any funny stories surrounding your live performances?
Haha, many! However, a particularly funny/embarrassing memory is the time I was half way through singing the first line of my first song and I had a massive coughing fit but, for some reason, tried to carry on singing… like a fool… in the end the audience had to sing the rest for me whilst I continued to play my guitar and cough at the same time.
What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
That I’m really grateful to everyone who takes the time to follow my work. As an independent artist, it’s so difficult to reach a wider audience and so every time they share, comment, repost… it blows my mind.
You can find out more about Lisa on her website or via Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, Spotify, Twitter or YouTube.
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