Lisa Bouchelle’s latest single, “Jump In!,” is currently #21 on the Billboard Magazine A/C Indicator chart. Lisa has sung backup for Bruce Springsteen, dueted in concert with Jon Bon Jovi, garnered millions of streams, and toured with and/or opened for Train, Bryan Adams, Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat, The Wailers, Shooter Jennings, Meat Loaf, Blues Traveler, and many others.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Lisa about the new music, adapting during the pandemic, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and how do You describe your style of music?
I was born in Trenton, NJ. Currently living back in the area. I have been influenced by so much different music, which I’ve found while growing up and listening to my mother’s albums, to all my traveling and touring, on underground radio, streaming, etc. I think it has given me a well-rounded style. People have been referring to my sound as ‘Alt-Americana,’ which I think is pretty accurate. On my new record, Jump In!, I incorporated a lot of various styles of musical influences, from Americana, singer-songwriter and gospel to pop and rock, and I think that has helped me shape a unique sound. Some people have even called it “Americana Glam,” because it’s based in Americana but has a little bit of sizzle and ear candy that most traditional Americana artists don’t include. I love that fans often tell me, when they hear one of my songs they can tell right away, “That’s a Lisa Bouchelle song!”
How did you get here? As in, what inspired or motivated you to take on this journey through music and the music biz?
I can’t remember ever not thinking about music all of the time! Even when I was a small child, I would obsessively memorize songs from the radio and from the albums my mom would play. I’d write songs during my bubble bath when I was a little girl. I would sing and hum all of the time; my teachers sent home notes from school saying that it was distracting other students. I’d sing at the dinner table and didn’t even realize I was doing it until my dad moved me to another room to eat! Once I added in playing guitar, my writing and performing reached another level and I never looked back or wanted to do anything else as a career or calling.
When I was four years old, my parents entered me into a talent show at a campground during a family trip. I was the smallest one in the show, so they put me on a picnic table so the audience could see me. That was my first real stage. When I sang “America the Beautiful” on that picnic table, everyone clapped and cheered. My parents had a turbulent marriage and constantly argued, but at that event, they were smiling and getting along with each other. I won the talent contest, and my folks seemed so happy! It was like my song brought everyone together. It made me more determined than ever to keep singing, as much as I could and whenever I could, because I was keeping the peace in the family.
My dad, who used to sing with me during long car rides – he had stage fright, but an amazing voice – and my Mom turned me on to so many classic artists, such as Neil Young, CS&N, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin. I still have her collection of vinyl. I was also influenced by outlaw country artists, especially Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. All of these influences shaped the songwriter and performer I am today.
I always say, I didn’t choose music, it chose me. I still feel blessed to have a career that brings people together.
How does your latest project compare/contrast with your previous release(s)? Were you setting out to accomplish anything specific, follow a specific theme, or explore different styles of creation?
I always wanted to make a record that encompassed all of my vast influences to create something new and unique. While the songs are based around my acoustic guitar rhythms, we really let the song decide where it wanted to go in terms of production, so it ended up encompassing a lot of different influences, including Americana, pop, singer-songwriter, classic rock, and even gospel. I was also really excited to do an album that would let me stretch out a little bit vocally, and I was able to do that on this record.
The record has an extra powerful energy running through it, that’s really a theme of finding strength in less than perfect conditions, i.e. ‘life,’ and powering on with forward motion the best way we can. For instance, the song “Jump In!” has a message to take a chance and ‘go for it,’ to pursue your dream or goal in life, rather than always taking the safe road. On songs such as “I Believe,” “Twice As Tall,” and “Love Is For The Making,” whether it’s a personal journey or a universal condition such as the pandemic, we can rise above and come out stronger in the end!
Name the biggest challenge you faced as a creative during these unprecedented? How did you adapt? How have you kept the creative fires burning during all this?
When I couldn’t perform live for my fans it felt like a large void in my life, and in my soul. Live performance is my favorite part of what I do. I did some free Facebook Live shows for my fans. That helped, but I remember during the beginning of pandemic, when I did my first Live Stream I got teary-eyed talking remotely to my audience who I couldn’t see live. I missed them. So glad to be back performing for live audiences again and feeling that synergy with the fans!
There have been some losses and hardships in these unprecedented times, but a shining ray of hope for me was using the time to make my new album, Jump In!
And I think the fact that everyone was kind of stuck at home made it a good time for collaborating with some of favorite musicians. To give a few examples, G. Love played harmonica on the title track “Jump In!” I am a fan of his music and unique style and had the chance to meet him when I was out on tour sharing the bill with Donavon Frankenreiter. He came out and made a point of telling me how much he enjoyed my set. I had a harmonica solo in mind for “Jump In!” and I immediately thought of G. Love. 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 expected.
Tommy Kessler, who plays with Blondie, I had done some shows with before he was in Blondie, so I’ve known him a long time. We actually did a very cool version of “Imagine” together at a John Lennon tribute in New York City a few years back. He did a great guitar track for the song “Jump In!” as well.
The song “I Believe” is very personal — almost like a mantra to me and hopefully for listeners as well — to remind us all to keep believing in our dreams. It gave me a real chance to spread my wings vocally, cut loose, and show my vocal range. I had met Constantine Maroulis when I went to see “Rock Of Ages” on Broadway and was invited to go out after the show with some of the cast. Constantine was awesome playing the part of Drew in the show at that time. I thought his amazing voice would bring the song to a whole new level, so I was thrilled when he liked my idea of recording “I Believe” as a duet with him. Add in some pedal steel from Doyle Grisham, and mandolin from Peter Mayer — who both play in Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band — and it turned from a simple, acoustic track into an epic rock ballad!
One song that turned out to be very appropriate for the pandemic is called “Twice As Tall,” and it’s about coming out stronger on the other side after going through trials and tribulations. We actually broke out a gospel choir for that one!
I am just blessed to have so many great musicians, and great artists themselves, be willing to contribute to my songs: Rob Hyman from The Hooters; Joel Hoekstra, an amazing guitarist who plays with Whitesnake, TSO, and Cher; Stephen DeAcutis, who plays with Corey Glover from Living Colour; Hal B. Selzer from Joan Jett & The Blackhearts; Lorenza Ponce, who is the violinist for Bon Jovi and Sheryl Crow, and too many others to mention!
My team and I spent the time during pandemic putting our art, and our heart, into the record. With live shows and touring halted it was our only creative outlet at the time. I think that made the album turn out very special, and hopefully people will find it as inspiring to listen to as it was to make it!
What do you stand for?
Love, equal rights, embracing diversity, inclusion, people using their energy to be creative and not destructive, good music played from the soul, freedom, being a team-player, loyalty to loved ones (humans and animals), plate reverb, and good stage monitors!
What was the last song you listened to?
“Kid Charlemagne” on the Royal Scam album by Steely Dan.
Does that artist influence you in any way?
Steely Dan is one of my favorite bands. I love the song “Kid Charlemagne,” the story is like a mini-novel to me. The lyrics are clever and descriptive. Also, the music is so unique. The arrangement is atypical, with a lot of jams that are melodic and hooky – my favorite kind of jams. I also find it has an amazing groove and is danceable for sure! It’s a classic, and’ Classic Rock’ always influences me and brings me back to my roots, as I listened to a lot of that type of music with my Mom growing up. Some of my vinyl collection is comprised of records that belonged to her back in the day. Even if songs like this don’t directly influence the sound of my songs, they spark my unique creativity as an artist and free my mind to explore arrangements and ideas that are new!
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? 8-tracks? Cassettes? CDs? MP3s? Streaming platforms?
Vinyl is my favorite! I play it all the time in my home. Though I do find the other formats useful, fun and helpful. It’s just that vinyl is a personal, in the moment experience, since it’s not connected to any computer and is just happening in my living room, for me, at that time. To me, it has a warmer sound. Vinyl records also have a well thought-out song order on a Side A and a Side B, and kool artwork, inserts and lyrics!
What does music mean to you?
It fills my senses, my heart, my soul. I think it’s a magical way to transform energy and to unite humans. I am honored to be a musician and deliver the magic.
Where is the best place to connect with you and follow your journey? (Include your links)
www.lisabouchelle.com is a good place to start. We have worked hard to put together a great virtual home to visit with photos, videos, show listings, events, tour schedules and links to all of our social media platforms, as well as links to purchase CDs & merchandise and to access my music on all major streaming platforms. You can also find me at facebook.com/lisabouchelle, Instagram.com/lisabouchelle, and @lisabouchelle on TikTok.
Anything else you wish to include, add or say?
Just that we should have a tour with the band posted on our website very soon, and we will make the announcement when it is officially scheduled. I’m really excited to perform this new collection of songs live with my touring band, The Bleu. It’s going to be AWESOME! And thank you for the great questions!!
