The Rule However much I love woman I am still a musical sexist whose sum total of records by female artists amounts to one Girl From Ipanema.

The Exception This figure is about to double, however, on account of one Lisa Lindley-Jones. 

The Who Possibly one of the British music industry’s best-kept secrets, Lisa already boasts a growing list of admirers and fans which includes the likes of Razorlight, Death in Vegas and the Belfast dance legend David Holmes. 

Lisa cut her teeth playing and touring with ex-James front-man Tim Booth. She has also worked and performed alongside many other eminent artists, most recently Patti Smith at the Royal Festival Hall, London (Meltdown festival).

The Why So how did this female artist get into the head and heart of a musical misogynist?
Well number one she is hot. An elfin red-head who dresses like she could be on the arm of a young Rolling Stone, the girl certainly looks the part.

More importantly, Lindley-Jones is a seriously accomplished musician, playing no less than 5 instruments. While her smooth, velveteen voice could sing the ingredients off a Twix packet and still make it sound like fine Swiss chocolate. 

Lisa cites Joni Mitchell and Fiona Apple as major influences but adds that she is a fully-fledged rock chick who was weaned on the wanton guitar-abandon of groups like the MC5 and Stooges. 

My type of gal…
 
The Sound I shall leave the job of over-analysis to the professional music-mongers. However I will say that I really fucking dig the few tracks I’ve heard from Lisa’s forthcoming debut album, Selfhood. Her musical sensibilities are spot on. She manages to blend a whole range of sounds to create something totally unique. What’s more Lisa writes lyrics which are reminiscent of a time when words to songs were actually meant to be listened to. 

One gets the distinct feeling that this shall be one of those records that suddenly turns up on the scene and becomes a must-have in CD collections across the land.

‘Firetimes’ is released in March 2006, being the first single from Lisa’s Lindley-Jones’ debut album, ‘Selfhood’, due out later this year.

FMCS: Hi Lisa. Can you tell us where are you from?
LLJ: Yeah, I was brought up mainly in Oxford, England. I also spent some of my childhood in Sweden, where my mum’s from.

FMCS: Where do you live now?
LLJ: Brighton.

FMCS: What instruments do you play?
LLJ: Piano / keyboards, flute, bassoon and a little bit of bass. 

FMCS: Imagine you’re a compere presenting LLJ and her band for the first time to the nation, how would you open it up?
LLJ: “Introducing the incomparable Lisa Lindley-Jones! Hailed from the Viking depths of Middle Earth and with a voice that woos sailors from their ships into the dark ocean abyss!”

Do you think that’s a bit over-the-top?

FMCS: Not at all. Please explain to us the title of your album, ‘Selfhood’, and how it is reflected in the record.
LLJ: I decided on this name when I really tried to understand the true purpose of the journey, that is, creating my record. It has been one of self discovery, of finding my musical identity. So after playing around with words connected to this theme I landed on “Selfhood”. 

FMCS: I like it. Sounds like a classic.
LLJ: Thanks.

FMCS: There is a certain depth which resonates throughout the themes of your songs, can you tell me where the inspiration for your lyrics comes from?
LLJ: Everywhere and everything I guess would be the simplest answer. I choose to ‘educate’ my mind and soul with different arts and experiences that I feel will inspire me in some way. For example I have a list of all the films I watched during the making of this album. But I’d say that ultimately inspiration comes from life itself. And from death too I suppose.

FMCS: Serving Suggestion: How should ‘Selfhood’ be listened to?
LLJ: Upside down in an empty bath….or anywhere else you can fit a stereo or headphones. Perhaps on an inter-railing trip round Europe - I write a lot of songs on trains so perhaps that’s where they would sound best, with different views flashing past.

FMCS: You’ve already worked and performed with a number of well-known artists. Do you have a good anecdote for us?
LLJ: Among the greatest experiences in my career so far has been playing with Tim Booth. I toured the whole of Europe with him and his band. One of the best shows we played was supporting Morrissey. The venue was in the ruins of a 10th century castle on a beach in Andalucia, Spain. It was a full moon, boiling hot and we were still on stage at 3 in the morning. The crowd was amazing and it was a really beautiful experience. Apart from me being backstage and dying for a pee but wasn’t allowed to use the toilet because (I quote) “Morrissey is going to come off stage at some point to change his shirt!” He was the archetypal showbiz prima donna from what I could tell. He even asked to be driven right up to the stage when he arrived at the castle which involved the crew removing the doors from the entrance so his car would fit through! He did seem a rather odd chap. Perhaps it was just the full-moon.

FMCS: I doubt it. If you could have a drink down your local with any musician, dead or alive, who would you choose?
LLJ: It’s really impossible to come up with just one person. I have so many idols, from Elvis to Mozart to Janis Joplin to Jimi Hendrix to Johnny Cash. All would be amazing to meet. But I’m gonna have to give three, they are Bjork, Ella Fitzgerald and Nick Drake.

FMCS: Name your 3 desert island discs and why.
Revolver by The Beatles. Well what can I say? They have it all covered, and the last track “Tomorrow Never Knows” totally influenced pretty much all the popular music I listened to between the ages of 15- 19.

Symphony No.3 by Henryk Gorecki. Such magical and ecstatic orchestral texture, it really takes you on a journey. Even if I was stuck on an island I could travel anywhere with these pieces.

Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys. I used to jump about on the sofa to this when I was a kid. Especially when it was time for bed. It just makes me feel young, carefree and at home. And I love singing along to the harmonies. A totally innovative and timeless record.
 
 
FMCS: So let’s imagines it’s Christmas 2006, you’ve had a great year, what achievements is LLJ looking back on?
LLJ: Having played live dates with my FANTASTIC band all over the UK and the world. I’d also like to be well on my way to completing my second album, hopefully with the knowledge that there are people eager to hear it.
 

FMCS: In 3 words, sum up the experience of a live LLJ gig.
LLJ: Intoxicating, Energetic, Intimate and Dirty.

FMCS: That’s 4. 
LLJ: I know. 

FMCS: Where and when can we see / hear LLJ over the coming months?
LLJ: We’ve just done a show at the TheyCan&TheyWill in Brighton which was fantastic. I recently did an acoustic version of the set with just one band member at the Betsey Trotwood pub venue in Farringdon, London on the 14th of Feb. We’ll play TheyCan&TheyWill again on the 2nd of March at the Sussex Art Club. On March the 9th we have a gig in Southampton and then in mid-march I’m off to Austin, Texas to play at the South by South West festival - exact dates to be confirmed. 

Thanks Lisa. Really looking forward to the record coming out and seeing you play in Austin.

See http://www.theycanandtheywill.com/

For more details. myspace/lisalindleyjones

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