Indieish : Guerilla video production for the web

Lisa DeBenedictis has become a Creative Commons star over the course of the last 3 years. Her debut release on Magnatune, Fruitless, was for a very long time my favorite album to cherry pick from while doing live shows on Freematrix radio.

The first time I interviewed Lisa for The Revolution I discovered that she isn’t just a great lyricist and musician, but a witty and clever personality.

I caught up with Lisa via email recently, and this is what she had to write…

What is your favorite food?

I love Taco Bell food! Specifically the Chicken Soft Taco and the Tostada. It’s weird, though - you can’t get the Tostada at any Taco Bell. A lot of them don’t have it.

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What was the story behind getting your first instrument?

I guess my first instrument was the piano, and it was always in our house. My Mom played. I’d sit down and just hit random keys, pretending to play. At some point I was asked if I wanted lessons. My “playing” was probably annoying. I think I started when I was about five or six.

Tell me about your first band?

My first “band” consisted of just me and my college buddy. I didn’t sing - I made her do it because I got too self-conscious. She named the band “ring of seventeen” which is from a Neal Stephenson book I think. We played Conrete Blonde covers, Cowboy Junkies, The Cardigans…girly stuff. Then the boy I was dating started playing with us, and he and my friend kept getting into arguments. He totally “Yoko-ed” our band. I think we played two actual “shows,” both of which were open mics - three songs each.

What is your “day job?”

I work for a mortage lending company, and mostly I talk rates to mortage brokers on the phone all day, along with some data entry. It sounds like a drag, but it’s probably the best day job I’ve ever had. I sold printer toner at the last one. I’ve had a lot of pretty terrible day jobs. I think every musician has.

How did you discover the Creative Commons?

Through Magnatune. I jumped at the chance to sign with them - not because I was really passionate about open source music or anti-RIAA, but because I was an unknown, had absolutely nothing to lose, and they were a record label. Eventually I became familiar with their philosophy and what makes them so special. Open Source just makes sense to me. I had all my music available for free download, though, before I even signed with them. You’ve got to get your stuff out there however you can.

What is your perception of how the creative commons license fits the emerging artist, and what effect (if any) has it had on your view of your own music and your relationship with your fans?

The Creative Commons has a lot to offer the emerging artist, if the emerging artist is resourceful enough to know what to do (I have CCMixter Creator Victor Stone to thank for “showing me the light”). For example - I’m getting college radio play because of that CCMixter and Magnatune. Not only are the podcasters pulling from Creative Commons sites, but the hip little college stations are starting to as well. How cool is that? I get played on the radio without even having to send a demo! I’ve lost count of how many podcasts are playing my music. Creative Commons music is perfect for podcasters because they know they can use the music without violating any copyrights. Well, I don’t have to tell *you* that. That I even have “fans” - as an artist who doesn’t play live or do much promotional stuff - is proof that the model is working. I’m 100% internet, baby!

What would you do to gain more listeners, if time, money and resources were no object?

If I had unlimited time and money, I don’t think I’d do a damn thing except sit around and play video games and drink Coronas. I do my best work under stress and pressure.

What are you working on now?

My new album is in its beginning stages. That means I have a handful of chord progressions, ten or eleven songs titles and about ten pages of garbagey lyrics.

Who is your musical hero? Why?

I tend to dig solo singer-songwriters more than bands. And there’s so many. Leonard Cohen for his lyrical perfectionism and mysticism. Nick Drake for some of the most beautiful folk songs ever written. Elliott Smith for when I’m moping. Johnny Cash for when I’m drinking whiskey. P.J. Harvey for doing the “female angst” thing in a way that doesn’t suck. Frank Black for his weird chord progressions and lyrics. Mark Knofler for melodic guitar solos that get me all sentimental and weepy. And Mark Lanegan’s solo stuff, just because he’s such a badass.

What are your five favorite artists and, why?

I probably answered that above, but here’s a few more: Talking Heads, Morphine, Radiohead, The Willard Grant Conspiracy, Air, Badly Drawn Boy, Bob Dylan, The Smiths, Cat Power. I keep looking for new bands but I have a hard time. I don’t like most of the stuff that’s out there, even college rock. I don’t like music that goes for “cute” or “clever.” Unless it’s completely over the top (Tom Lehrer, They Might Be Giants).

What were your five favorites when you were 15?

I guess I’ll go with REM, The Smiths, U2, The Violent Femmes, and Led Zeppelin.

What’s next for Lisa?

Another album! And some shows, when I can figure out what to do with my kids while I play them. I think the next album is going to be very good. I’ve solved some sound problems. It’s hard to teach yourself how to produce music, but I’m getting better all the time.

01. What is your favorite word?

“Now.”

02. What is your least favorite word?

It must be “no,” because I always have a hard time saying it.

03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Competition. Watching people who excel at what they do, because they inspire me to better myself.

04. What turns you off?

Naysaying, cowardice, unaccountability.

05. What is your favorite curse word?

Fuck.

06. What sound or noise do you love?

Anything musical.

07. What sound or noise do you hate?

Slamming doors, yelling.

08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Pro chess player, if I had the brains! I compete now, but I’m not ranked very high.

09. What profession would you not like to do?

Telemarketer. I’ve done it - it’s humiliating.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

“Welcome to heaven! Mr. Jeff Buckley, Mr. Nick Drake, and Mr. Mark Sandman are expecting you for cocktails at eight-thirty…”

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