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Setlist Tour Dates
12/03 - Salt Lake City, Utah @ Urban Lounge *
12/05 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile * 12/06 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom * 12/07 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent * 12/09 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre * 12/11 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues * 12/12 - Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory * * Kopecky Family Band supporting Read More
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The comparisons are already in place for rock/folk/blues singer Lissie (nee Elisabeth Maurus) – looks like Jewel, sounds like Stevie Nicks with the raspy twinge of Janis Joplin; but the truth is this Rock Island, IL native is forging her own individual and distinctive career path through solid songs, endless touring, and an ever-growing loyal fan base.
This was all apparent and on display at a Saturday night show at Minneapolis’ Skyway Theatre where she performed a 75 min set to the faithful, as well as new fans.
Although she is Midwest born, her music is a melting pot of an Appalachian-meets-Laurel Canyon sound that tips its hat to the past- more 70’s sounding on her debut release and a bigger 80’s-influenced sound on her follow-up, Back to Forever (Fat Possom/Columbia), courtesy of Irish super producer, Jacknife Lee.
Opening this short string of Midwest dates, was Chicago all-girl indie band Purple Apple, a trio of 16 yr. old schoolmates and “their younger sibling's twenty-something babysitter on drums.” The quartet impressed with their straight-ahead, no frills rock, slightly reminiscent of a Veruca Salt or Breeders, and have two EPs under their belt, with debut full-length due in early 2014. During their 35 min. set, the girls traded instruments and lead vocal duties on the rousing ‘Lay Down’, slower song ‘Runaways’, and driving ‘Against the World’. Keep an eye out for a return visit in the New Year.
Fresh from a 4-song set at an afternoon in-store/meet-and-greet, Lissie and band took to the stage beginning with two songs from her debut album, ‘Bully’ and ‘Record Collector’, which pleased the longtime fans right away. The band was comprised of three players – Eric Sullivan on guitar, Lewis Keller on both bass and drums concurrently, and multi-instrumentalist Jesse Siebenberg (son of the Supertramp drummer).
‘Sleepwalking’ from the new record, was received well, as was radio hit ‘When I’m Alone’, done mid-set. As it was a Saturday night and she assumed most in the crowd didn’t have get up early the next day, an appropriate ‘I Don’t Wanna Go To Work’ followed, and for ‘Shameless’ she donned her own t-shirt, worked herself into a sweat for the spirited song, then took it off and hurled the shirt into a sea of reaching hands.
“One of my old songs that I love, that we’ve re-discovered”, ‘Shroud’, was next and unfamiliar to most, as it was only available as a vinyl b-side to the previous song. The very-Fleetwood Mac sounding hit, ‘Further Away (Romance Police)’ and ‘In Sleep’ closed the main set, Lissie emoting on the former, “Does anyone, love anyone anymore” over Sullivan’s blazing guitar solo and a foot-stomping backbeat.
The encore began with a quiet, ‘Oh Mississippi’, originally done on piano but filled out with full band and a song that was inspired by her hometown though the locals could no doubt relate, being located on the very same river.
Ending on high note and after downing a tequila shot given up by the crowd, she finished with her cover of Drake’s ‘Hold On, We’re Going Home’ which started sparsely but grew in sound with a revved up flourish.
Forget any comparisons and experience Lissie and her music for yourself—her honesty and no-frills approach to likeable (and yes, radio-friendly) songs will shine through, which is as much as any singer-songwriter can ask for.
Although she is Midwest born, her music is a melting pot of an Appalachian-meets-Laurel Canyon sound that tips its hat to the past- more 70’s sounding on her debut release and a bigger 80’s-influenced sound on her follow-up, Back to Forever (Fat Possom/Columbia), courtesy of Irish super producer, Jacknife Lee.
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PURPLE APPLE
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Lissie at Electric Fetus in-store
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‘Sleepwalking’ from the new record, was received well, as was radio hit ‘When I’m Alone’, done mid-set. As it was a Saturday night and she assumed most in the crowd didn’t have get up early the next day, an appropriate ‘I Don’t Wanna Go To Work’ followed, and for ‘Shameless’ she donned her own t-shirt, worked herself into a sweat for the spirited song, then took it off and hurled the shirt into a sea of reaching hands.
“One of my old songs that I love, that we’ve re-discovered”, ‘Shroud’, was next and unfamiliar to most, as it was only available as a vinyl b-side to the previous song. The very-Fleetwood Mac sounding hit, ‘Further Away (Romance Police)’ and ‘In Sleep’ closed the main set, Lissie emoting on the former, “Does anyone, love anyone anymore” over Sullivan’s blazing guitar solo and a foot-stomping backbeat.
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Lissie with backdrop
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Ending on high note and after downing a tequila shot given up by the crowd, she finished with her cover of Drake’s ‘Hold On, We’re Going Home’ which started sparsely but grew in sound with a revved up flourish.
Forget any comparisons and experience Lissie and her music for yourself—her honesty and no-frills approach to likeable (and yes, radio-friendly) songs will shine through, which is as much as any singer-songwriter can ask for.
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Lissie at Skyway Theatre, Minneapolis (11/30/13) |
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