New Music Spotlight: Editor-in-Chief's Artist of the Week
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Singer/Songwriter Laura Lee Bishop is going to blow music fans away with her angelic Southern rock v...Singer/Songwriter Laura Lee Bishop is going to blow music fans away with her angelic Southern rock vocals that weave beautiful notes. Bishop's storytelling abilities are also a major plus with lyrics that are enriching, soulful, and meaningful. In this exclusive interview with this artist, Laura Lee Bishop speaks candidly about her love and passion for music, her inspirations and influences, and why fans will love her music.
Isaac: We'd love to know about your inspirations growing up. I hear so many influences in your music. How old were you when you first discovered music? Is there any kind of musical history in your family?
Laura Lee Bishop: I can't really remember a time in my childhood when music wasn't important to me. I was always fascinated by it. I would listen to cassette tapes on a tiny karaoke machine my mom bought for me. It had a little microphone attached, and you could record while you sang as well, so I would sit for hours and just sing and sing. I was very intrigued by the whole performance aspect of music, of really becoming a character and placing myself within a song and just letting everything else disappear. I was constantly putting on shows for my family or even for myself in the mirror. I really haven't changed.
As I got older and began to song-write, I became heavily influenced by the power of nature and the forces of the earth. I see so many parallels between the human spirit and the natural world. You can hear these influences literally in my lyrics, as well as the melodies and instrumentation of my songs.
Isaac: What drew you to pick up an instrument in the first place?
Laura Lee Bishop: Right before I entered junior high, my father passed away. Obviously it was a very traumatic event for me, and I found myself needing an outlet for expression. I was never a write-in-a-diary kind of girl, and I was quite to myself when it came to how I was feeling, so one day my mom and sister and I were at a music store buying sheet music for our piano lessons, and I saw a guitar. I mentioned it to my mom and she just bought it for me... no questions asked. I think she could sense that I was searching for something, which I needed to focus some of my grief and anger and confusion, so she just bought it. And I've been playing ever since. I played piano and took voice lessons since third grade, so I knew I already had a musical ear. Teaching myself guitar came somewhat easily. I'm no Stevie Ray Vaughn, but the guitar facilitated my ability to write songs. I'm so grateful that my mother bought that guitar that day. Who knows how different things might be if she didn't...
Isaac: As you hit your teenage years, did you know that this was what you would be doing for the rest of your life?
Laura Lee Bishop: Well, I didn't know for sure that I would be playing music as a career, but I knew that I would be unhappy if I didn't. And that has always been a very scary feeling for me. I do know that it is what I am meant to do, that if I have a destiny, this is it, but simultaneously, I have always been very grounded in the harsh reality of the music industry. I know that there are so many amazing, beautiful, interesting, talented people out there that don't "make it" or that for some reason or another have to give up on their dreams. That is something that is always at the back of my mind. But if you are in this industry you have to push that doubt away and just look ahead and keep fighting. I have to tell myself that I will be doing this for the rest of my life and not accept anything else.
Isaac: Is there a performer in any genre of pop culture that you would like to work with?
Laura Lee Bishop: The Boss!!! I would love to write music with Bruce Springsteen. He seems like he would be a great mentor and teacher, and I truly admire his large body of work. Go Bruce!
Isaac: Who are some musicians that you really like, present or past?
Laura Lee Bishop: I know I'm going to forget someone that I love and feel terrible about it, but here goes nothing... My favorite vocalists, and the voice IS an instrument, are Gladys Knight, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Barbra Striesand and Meatloaf. I know that Meatloaf seems out of left field, but that guy sings with so much conviction and feeling. When you listen to his music, whether you like it or not, he forces you to feel it, and you have to respect that. What I look for in a singer is, above all, emotion.
My favorite singer/songwriter of all time is Tracy Chapman. I think she is really underrated, but I do like it that I can feel like she's my secret. I also love Carole King, Alanis Morrisette, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, David Bowie, Tom Petty...
As far as bands go, I'm very into Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana, The Beatles (obviously), Heart, Jefferson Airplane (Grace Slick is the best)...
This question has caused me great anxiety!!
Isaac: What is your ultimate goal with your music career?
Laura Lee Bishop: World Domination! And I'm NOT kidding. LOL. I want to reach as many people as possible. I want to perform on a giant stage at a sold out show where the audience knows the words to my songs and can sing along. I want to collaborate with creative people and grow and mature as an artist. But I want to be able to do all of these things and still stay true to myself and write meaningful music.
Laura Lee Bishop
photo by Kaleb Rollins
Isaac: What has been some of the obstacles it has taken to get this far in your career?
Laura Lee Bishop: I don't like to think of anything as an "obstacle" because then that just gives you an easy way to make excuses. It's just life, and nothing is perfect. Yeah, I've had some rough times, but without those times, I wouldn't be the person I am. I might not be able to write the kind of songs I write. As cliché as it sounds, the things I have gone through have made me strong, and I think you can hear that strength and fearlessness in my music. To be frank, I think we need to hear more of that on the radio today!
Isaac: Would you recommend this "field" to others who are aspiring to be musicians like you?
Laura Lee Bishop: I am all for following your dreams. I don't think you should heed the warnings of anyone regarding something you are passionate about. Yes, the music industry isn't easy, but if you have what it takes, go for it. Who am I to give advice? Hell, these days you don't even have to have talent to make it, so it's really anybody's game!
Isaac: Describe one piece of advice you've have been given to by others in the music industry.
Laura Lee Bishop: I was lucky enough to go to an amazing school (The Clive Davis School of Recorded Music) where I learned from some of the most talented musicians, producers, and entrepreneurs in the world. I think the most important thing they taught me was to be myself, be comfortable with myself, and to exude that confidence no matter what. Not everyone is going to like me, not everyone is going to like my music, but I think it is imperative that I KNOW my music is important and meaningful and that it will change the world. Because if you don't know that what you are doing is worth it, then what's the point? The best piece of advice you can follow in this industry is to be your biggest fan.
Isaac: What genre of music do you consider most of your music?
Laura Lee Bishop: It's hard to answer this because I'm young and my music is constantly changing and evolving. When I ask people what genre they consider my music to be, they either don't know, or they name a lot of different genres. If I had to categorize it I'd day it's a fusion of rock, pop, alt-country, and soul, but I don't think that any one genre is the most predominant. It really depends on the song, and whether you hear that song recorded or live, and even what mood I'm in when I perform it.
Isaac: What has been your favorite piece of work?
Laura Lee Bishop: To be completely honest, I hate hearing my songs recorded. I know that isn't the best thing to say when you want people to buy your music, but it's the truth! To me, my best work is on stage with my band. That energy and performance is just impossible to translate. You have to be there. That is one of the first things that people tell me when they come see a show. They will say, "I really like the CD, but I didn't expect THAT." And that is the best compliment I could get. I would say I'm more of a performer than a recording artist.
Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
Laura Lee Bishop: My myspace (myspace.com/LauraLeeBishop) always has music streaming, and I always check my messages there as well, so get in contact people! I also have music for sale on CDBaby.com, Digstation.com, and it will be on most online retailers soon.
Isaac: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
Laura Lee Bishop: My mother is my biggest fan. I'm very lucky because not everyone in my position has the support of their parents, but she really is behind me. I think she wants me to be successful more than I do sometimes. Maybe because she's sick of giving me money.
Isaac: Any last words?
Laura Lee Bishop: I just want to thank you and Junior's Cave for taking an interest in my music and getting to know me. I'm grateful for the opportunity to reach more people, and I'm excited for what the future holds!
supersonic
