Music
Press
Thursday, November 16, 2006
....
I'll be writing more about the Dominique Lise Band in the next couple of weeks as they kick into high gear with the release of their debut record, "20 Years." For the moment though, I can tell you this: They've got a gutsy, pop, rock, bluesy sound that will knock your socks and shoes off.
Dominique knows how to belt out a song and has assembled just the band to get the job done right. For now, let's call the DL Band one to watch, and I'll have more soon. The record's done, and they are getting ready to launch it. Good for them for snagging the opening slot for John Eddie. She won him over a few years ago when she opened for him at the Big Easy, which is the show where I first caught wind of her, too. I'll have to drop her a harrassing e-mail soon to get her to update her Web site and set the wheels in motion on "20 Years."
Dominique Lise Band (opening for John Eddie), 7:30p, Saturday, November 18, Boothbay Harbor Opera House, $18 in advance, $20 at the door. www.boothbayoperahouse.org - Portland Press Herald
January 6, 2005
I'm on my second cup of decaf and third listening of Dominique Lise on this first Monday morning of 2005 and am still trying to figure out who she reminds me of. It may or may not come to mind, but what I can tell you is that this gal, backed by a strong band, rocks.
The five-song demo she handed me at the "Greetings from Area Code Volume 5" CD release party a few months back is finally getting its air time. Lise definitely has a righteous set of pipes on the CD's opener, "Girl LIke Me," which repeats the phrase "Amazing Grace, the sound is so sweet." Next is the stripped-down acoustic love song, "Elijah," which is a sweet but nonetheless gut-wrenching ballad. Also on the EP is "U Lemme Down 2," which also had a home on the aforementioned "Greetings" CD. This one's an upbeat bluesy number that really shows off Lise's commanding voice.
Lise had a nine year run in the Portland area from 1992-2001 playing in three local bands. She then skipped town for a few years, but now is back and ready to play.
Dominique Lise with special guest See Jane Run, St. Lawrence Arts & Community Center, tonight. Doors at 7p, show at 7:30p. $12 at the door. - Portland Press Herald
..> 20 Years
Dominique Lise
A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
by Mike Jurkovic
(rnrcurmudgeon@yahoo.com)
..>
..> Y'know, it's powerhouse CDs like this that make a sane, music person like yours truly wish they could just blow up the whole American Idol/cookie-cutter/panty-less diva music industry to smithereens and start over. Discover deserving new voices and commanding new talents.
Like Dominique Lise.
I"ll admit it took a while for me to get a handle on "20 Years". I kept trying to listen to it one song at a time, in-between other discs-to-be-reviewed taking up residence in my player. Finally, I cleared the decks and just let it play. And play. And play…
From the roaring, opening rip of Eye To Eye; the pop ecstatic Noah"s Coming Home; and the anthemic Nothing Like Your Smile Lise and her crackling band: drummer Tim Myers, guitarist Paul Newton, bassists Greg Goodwin and Derrick Michaud, and keyboardist Bill Butler make their presence felt loud and clear. Fusing the usual musical suspects—folk, rock, pop, blues—into a crisp and punchy bedrock for her sturdy, no holds barred vocals, we"re treated to other captivating tracks, especially Daddy Daddy (How Hard Can One Life Be); Blue Collar, Two Fish and Elijah.
But there is one minor quibble. I think this solid effort loses some steam with its fourteen songs. I might have moved Promise I'd Love You and JP ahead of Nothing Like Your Smile and closed strong on that. See, I told you it was a minor quibble.
Track List:
..> Eye To Eye
Noah's Coming Home
Daddy Daddy (How Hard Can One Life Be)
Two Fish
Lay It Down
Blue Collar
Fit In and Be Cool
20 Years
Elijah
Nothing Like Your Smile
Promise I'd Love You
JP
All Grown Up
Let The Music Be Your Guide
Produced by Billy the Butcher and Dominique Lise
..>
Edited by: David N. Pyles
(dnpyles@acousticmusic.com)
..>
Copyright 2007, Peterborough Folk Music Society.
This review may be reprinted with prior permission and attribution.
- Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
Discography
20 Years, Nu*Lise Records, 2007
Dominique Lise, self-titled EP, Nu*Lise Records, 2005
Photos
Bio
Dominique Lise (pronounced as in “new lease on life”) is nothing less than a bona fide powerhouse of a singer/songwriter from southern Maine. Known for her catchy lyrics, infectious melodies and heart-stopping beats, Dominique Lise is a gutsy performer who continually captures the hearts of audiences everywhere. Dominique Lise enjoyed a perfectly respectable run as a player in several rock, folk, and blues cover bands in the east coast musical boom town city of Portland, Maine. These days, Lise is flourishing as an original artist. She has emerged as a multi-dimensional songwriter with both the musicianship and vocal delivery to quiet an audience then turn it upside down. Lise joined her first rock band back in the early 90’s and although she still says those days were some of the best musical learning experiences of her life, as it turned out they were harbingers of what was to come. Later Lise found herself fronting a blues band for three years, and competing at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. During this time she was honing her guitar and vocal skills and racking up the life experience necessary to arrive at the place she is in now. By 2004, after nearly a three year break from performing with music as the core of her daily existence, Lise was encouraged by her husband to get back in the game. He even went so far as to build her a recording studio in their home and Dominique began barricading herself in her studio, devoting her creative energies to writing music. Lise has set 14 original tunes on fire with the help of producer and engineer, Bill Butler of Abattoir Studios and mastering engineer, Adam Ayan (Bob Ludwig’s revered protégé) of Gateway Mastering & DVD both of Portland, ME. The debut record is called 20 Years featuring songs like “Two Fish,” “Eye to Eye,” and “Noah’s Coming Home” are “live-wires” while “20 Years” and “Elijah” will slip into inner sanctum of your heart and soul. It’s safe to say that Lise has truly come into her own; and she’s just getting started. With a convincing; incandescent voice and the music to back it up, Dominique Lise is on an enthralling tear; and it’s one not to be missed.
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