Rockezine.com interview with Lisa Winn on Jun 23, 2001

with Lisa on Jun 23, 2001

The first time I saw and heard the voice of LISA WINN live was during a concert of Rob Lamothe. She was singing along as a background singer and as I remember now she got the opportunity to sing one of her own songs that time. At that time I realised there could be a bright future for such an calm, lovely person with an unbelievable clear voice. Now, a few years later she released her first CD and played in front and with Rob Lamothe in Europe. The admiration for the result of her debut CD "Mother Earth" is shared with the happy few who saw her live. Therefore it`s time to give you more insight in who LISA WINN is...
		Can you tell me more about your history? Like, when did you started to sing and when did you realize you wanted to be a musician… I always like to sing as a kid. I mostly sang to myself...I remember making up songs and singing them to stray cats, squirrels and birds in my backyard. I also remember my older brother telling me to "Shut up and stop singing!" many, many times. I`m glad I didn`t listen to him...
		I first started to sing seriously in high school for theatre productions and such. Some friends of mine had started a band around the same time and asked me to sing in it. That band was called "The Reach" and afterward I was in a band called "Sunflower Honey." Both bands split up and I began singing with a great musician named Bill Majoros. In 1995, while Bill and I were hosting an `open jam` night at a local bar, Rob Lamothe came in to sing...and the rest is history...
		When did you meet Rob Lamothe and at what time did you two decide to work together? I met Rob at the above mentioned bar. We were both very taken by each others voices, and after the night was through, he asked me if I would like to try singing some harmonies on some of his songs. We got together a few times and he played me some of his songs and we quickly knew that our voices were quite magical together.
		About "Mother Earth", you sing mostly about relationships, but you also seem to care a lot about environment (`Mother Earth`) and the native Americans (`Brave`). Can you tell me something more about the things that inspire you to write and sing about? I am very inspired by nature, and all the creatures who inhabit the earth. I`m disturbed by the constant destruction of the environment, and people`s unwillingness to stop because of money and `progress.` I read a lot about the history of Native Americans and I feel that people don`t realise what atrocities were brought upon those people. I try to write about life and the relationships around me...personal and not so personal stuff...but it`s all my life experience, or something I feel strongly about.
		What`s the full meaning of `hanta yo hanta yo wankanya hibu welo`? It means "Clear the way...in a sacred manner I come." It`s from a book called "Hanta Yo" by Ruth Beebe Hill.
		Do you believe that your music can change the world (or your fans to be more realistic)? Or do you see music as an expression purely for yourself? I tend to write for myself, but I hope people will take what they need from my songs. If they can relate to something I am singing, then the song isn`t just for me anymore.
		How would you describe your music? Is it singer/ songwriter or is it more folk music? I don`t really know how to describe my music. Those two choices are pretty similar in most cases...so I`d say both!
		For an own management product your CD (and book with lyrics) is from high quality. Who would you thank for that… What`s the reason that this CD, with all this quality, isn`t released through a record label? I thank my dad for the funds that made the cd possible...Thanks Dad! I was asked to be on a record label, but in the end I had the chance to get a better package with help from my dad. Without a label, I have the freedom to do whatever I want with the cd in the long run.
		Who are your greatest influences? Too many to list here, but lately I`m more influenced by the amazing people in my life right now...Rob Lamothe, Les Cooper, Jamie Oakes, Mike Daley, Shannon Lyon, Melissa McClelland, Janine Stoll...and so many more...
		I could go on and on with questions, but it`s better to end with something you always wanted to say, but never had the chance to… Thanks to all those who have made my life the incredible journey it has been so far...I`m sure there`s much more to come, and I hope you will all be there with me the rest of the way...
		Are you inspired to know something more about this remarkable woman and if you want to order "Mother Earth" surf to www.lisawinn.com and find all about LISA WINN. (Ron Schoonwater)