This time on NAS 10 Questions we get to know Lisa Haden, a singer-songwriter from my hometown, Birmingham UK. With influences such as Alanis Morissette, and Suzi Quatro, her catchy pop style draws on all corners of the music world.
The track "Masquerade Ball" is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.
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1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.
I’m from Birmingham in the UK. I’m a singer-songwriter and an author. My new single Masquerade Ball will be released on the 1st March 2024. I’m currently working on the vocals for a fellow singer-songwriters track and deciding which of my many lyrics to develop into a song next, while also working on my second novel (which will be the second in a trilogy). I’m also a single mom of three so life is pretty busy.
2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?
I started music lessons as a child. I had 7 years of singing lessons, 5 years of piano lessons and 3 years of drum lessons. I loved playing and my dream was one day to release a song that made people happy. However, I always struggled with a lack of confidence, hated the sound of my own voice and found performing absolutely terrifying. I was discouraged from pursuing music by people who told me it wasn’t a sensible career path. At 17 I stopped playing altogether. I felt like I’d left a piece of me behind. After getting married and spending 15 years in a relationship, 10 years of which were abusive, I felt there was very little of “me” left and my confidence was non existent. After getting myself out of that relationship I decided to get a piece of myself back that I’d lost all those years ago. I bought a drum kit and a keyboard, and I bought a guitar to self-teach. I started playing again and covered a few songs, which I put into YouTube and shared on social media. I also discovered my passion for lyric writing, finding it was a fantastic way to express my feelings (something I’d been discouraged from doing for years). My followers on X (Twitter) started tagging me as a musician and one to watch, but I’d never released my own music so felt like an imposter. I decided to take the plunge and with the help of experienced songwriter Chris Fowler, I started to turn my lyrics into songs, releasing my first single in November 2022. This was a massive step outside my comfort zone, but I am so glad I started my musical journey, I’m still not very confident but I’m gaining confidence every day thanks to the amazing support I’m receiving.
𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?
I was raised on Elvis Presley (hence the middle name Lisa Marie) and 50’s music, I then discovered the Beatles and Meatloaf… this was around the time I started playing drums and my love for rock was formed. Suzi Quatro showed me women can rock out just as hard as men. Dave Grohl and bands like Foo’s and chilli peppers, muse, no doubt and barenaked ladies, as well as artists like Alanis Morissette shaped my later teenage years. Since rap and hip-hop artists like Eminem, as well as pop artists like Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift have influenced my music… I think becoming a mom has made me want to rock out but also produce music everyone (including children) can enjoy.
4. What are your goals in the music industry?
Simply to make music that people can relate to, that validates other people’s feelings, makes people feel less alone and helps them to escape from reality for the time they’re listening, a song that can make other people smile. It would be AMAZING to write a song people are still enjoying for years to come, there are some songs that never get old, it would be fantastic if I could write something that was so good it fell into that timeless category.
5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.
I start with lyrics, usually something personal to me that I think others will relate too, a melody often accompanies the lyrics, then the music is built around that. For me each of my songs is a mini story, they have a purpose and meaning behind them, as an author the lyrics are very important to me, the tone of the lyrics and the story I am telling determines the sound of the song.
6. What is your all-time favorite song?
I can’t do it… this is like asking me which of my three children I love the most. My favourite song at the moment is the live and in session version of “you need me I don’t need you” by Ed Sheeran, because I love the lyrics and the insturmentals, but I wouldn’t say this is my favourite song of all time. I have different favourites for different moods, and reasons, for example, I LOVE the instrumentals in Nature_1 by Muse, but I also love Can’t help falling in love by Elvis Presley, because it’s beautiful and takes me back to my childhood, and a simpler time, it’s one of my moms favs.
7. What is the best advice you have either given or received in terms of music?
Best advice I’ve been given: Be confident and love your own music. This is something I’ve always struggled with but it’s true, when you’re confident in yourself you can hear it in your music, it’s more passionate and emotional, it’s just better. Self-doubt is limiting and it’s something I battle with every time I sing, but when I act confident and when I believe I sound good, I genuinely sound better. Best advice I’ve given: love what you do and don’t let anyone else tell you that you can’t do it. I was told I was f***ing idiot for thinking I could become a musician 3 years ago…. I am so glad I didn’t let that stop me from doing what I love.
8. Proudest accomplishment?
My song Women Rise! Was played on BBC radio introducing show two weeks in a row and it was then added to a BBC sounds playlist among some top pop stars including Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran… that was amazing. Releasing my first song Rainbow after the Storm and seeing it live on Spotify was another proud accomplishment for me. The kids in my daughters class listening to one of my songs and then requesting to listen to more songs the next day and the next, running over to me after school to tell me they love my songs was just adorable! Another proud moment… holding my debut novel in my hand for the first time (another dream come true and something else I was told I wouldn’t be able to do)…. Oh and of course my three kids 😂
9. Just for fun! What's been your most embarrassing moment so far?
All the performances I’ve done (I haven’t performed in 20 years) were ones where the songs were chosen for me. In one night I had to sing “my heart will go on” and later sing and play “walking in the air” on the piano… both completely alone and neither particularly easy songs to sing. The kids at my school were meaaaaan… although the performance went fine, I was embarrassed from start to finish, I don’t think I unclenched until the next day. Another embarrassing moment was being dragged up to stage on holiday to perform in a dance contest (by my daughter) to the iconic and oh so fantastic song “baby shark” even more embarrassing, I won that dance contest. 🤦🏻♀️
𝟭0. Tell us about your lowest and highest points in music so far.
Highest points: being told I’m worthless and s**t for so many years by someone who claimed to love me, coupled with my massive self-doubt meant that when I did finally release my music I expected negative feedback, I believed I’d be laughed at and berated. Instead I’ve received nothing but positivity, support and encouragement, excitement of my next release, one of my followers has been planning my Grammy after party, this is massive for me. That and being okayed by BBC radio are my highest points.
Lowest points: I’ve honestly set my expectations so low that I haven’t really had any really low points. There have been frustrating moments, like when I spent all day recording, got my vocals pitch perfect (I didn’t use auto tune) and then the recording was accidentally deleted and I had to re-do everything. But I went into this just wanting to gain confidence and do something I love, I haven’t expected anything and this has really helped me to avoid those low points.
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