LISSIE | Releases Cover of Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole From Her New EP 'To The Flowers' | We Talk Music & Getting Over The Idea of The Fairytale Romance
Lissie needs no introduction as an established international artist. She has announced her upcoming Thank You To The Flowers EP, a collection of stunning covers written by female artists that she admires.
Alongside the announcement, she has revealed a brand new song, a gorgeous cover of ‘Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole’ by Martha Wainwright.
Powerful guitars, spatial textures and stark sincerity all come together to create Lissie’s spine-tingling rendition of the Wainwright classic. A devout admirer of its composer, she grips tightly onto the striking rawness and honesty of the original and taps into its soul, allowing it to resonate through her to both convey and treat a deep pain of her own.
The track is taken from Lissie’s upcoming Thank You To The Flowers EP, a collection of stunning covers written by female artists that she admires. Each song has been recorded as a form of therapy, using her powerful voice to infuse each track with her own emotions to simultaneously lift her spirit and celebrate the women that inspired her to do so.
We first came to an awareness of your music with the viral cover of ‘Pursuit of Happiness’, going back a decade, which was a great cover. You’ve currently got a new cover-single out ‘Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole’. It’s always interesting to hear your unique ‘Lissie’ mark on a song.
You said you wanted to cover this song in reference to a breakup following a betrayal, you have said this is a part of your healing process. Do you prefer writing songs or covering them what’s your approach in making that decision?
I’m so glad that you discovered me and thanks for listening! I truly love to express myself through writing my own songs but covers are always very therapeutic to do too! As a songwriter, I generally write in real-time what I’m feeling, thinking and going through and often times with co-writers. A lot of conversation precedes writing songs with other people and that in itself is like a therapy session. It helps to process what the feelings are and what the heart of the sentiment I’m trying to share is. With covers, if I hear it and I relate to it, I sit down and work it out on my guitar because it just feels good to play! Music is such a universal thing. Heartbreak, we’ve all been there! Sharing it with others is a bonus! Then it becomes their safe emotional space to land.
The upcoming ‘Thank You To The Flowers’ EP is a collection of covers written by female artists that you admire. You have done a lot of covers, what is your favourite cover you’ve done and why?
I will always be very grateful to Kid Cudi and “Pursuit of Happiness”! I was hanging with my best friend in my hometown of Rock Island, IL when I first heard that song. We were driving around late at night listening to music as we had in high school! I loved the spirit and energy of it and so I went home and learned it. I’m so glad that we were able to capture it and that it brought so many people to my music via its popularity on youtube!
How has the pandemic affected you personally as a touring artist?
I have had to learn to practice radical acceptance in my life and to find positive things to focus on. Obviously, shows weren’t and aren't happening so that has been strange and sad. But, I think that the pandemic has forced me to confront a lot of stuff within myself that I have been avoiding dealing with. In hindsight, I hope that we’ll all have found some powerful inner work accomplished from this challenging time. It’s a time of upheaval in so many ways and the shadows that have been revealed can’t be ignored anymore!
Now as an independent artist when you plan your tours do you plan time for yourself to explore and relax or is it just work?
Although I’m independent to a degree, I still work with a whole team of folks, so my booking agents plot and plan the shows. In some cases, we build in days off but I mostly sleep those days, haha So, in all honesty, touring is mostly a grind. But a really amazing, fun grind that I miss desperately! There are some places, like Norway, where I’ve gotten to have weekdays off between weekend festivals and get to explore nature. Norway is a gorgeous country!
What’s been your favourite travel experience and where would you like to go once restrictions are lifted?
I’m really missing it all but Norwegian festivals where you’re near a fjord or mountain with a beautiful backstage space, essentially somewhere that feels outdoorsy, will be a dream to do again!
In an interview with Music All Access, you said. “When I was dropped from my major record deal and was like, You know, I think I’m not really enjoying myself so much and music’s kind of not feeling super fun right now”.
Has music become fun again on your own terms?
It’s always full of ups and downs and a journey. I think there were some things that I took for granted because I wasn’t finding the balance between touring and home. I think the pandemic has shown me how much I thrive though when I can perform and express myself. Back in 2015, when I probably said that, I was coming off the back of feeling like I needed to write a hit and keep the show rolling, taking in so many people’s needs without really having the financial support I’d had. It was too much pressure and twisted my motivation somewhat. Once I was able to go back to basics and rebuild, I’ve found the fun again!
Studying “Journalism” did this course prepare you for marketing yourself as an artist?
I didn’t ever really get around to taking any journalism classes haha. That was in theory my major but I had so many 101 classes to fulfil and every time I would try to get into the intro journalism class, it was full. And then I dropped out of college, so there you have it! I don’t think I’m especially good at marketing myself either but depending on the project, I have talented, helpful people to assist!
You talked about having a simple style and washing your hair with a soap that’s good for the earth. Is sustainability one of the reasons behind your signature simplistic style?
Did I say that? Interviewer (16:15-16:30 SIDEWALK TALK EDM) you stayed over a friends house and used their soap) Haha. I don’t wash my hair w/ soap. I try to make sustainable, thoughtful and good decisions but am by no means perfect. I’m not sure that there is a connection between my style and wanting to be more conscious of the impact my decisions have on the environment. I do like to be outdoors and be comfortable though, so I think my style stems from comfort and utility. The way I approach my home life, between gardening, composting, planting trees, not using chemicals, not wasting food, not living near a place where I can really go on a shopping spree etc.. hopefully, offset the impact of all of my tour travels to a degree?!
Interviewer - Yes, It’s more about making the effort where and when we can to make informed choices and not supporting poor decisions like wrapping fruit in plastic.
Is your merch line fair trade or sustainable?
Not consistently, no. More often than not, if I recall, we do go for shirts that are organic and made in the US, but I should really be paying more attention there! Thanks for the reminder!
Having discussed getting over the idea of the fairy-tale romance and that you were trying to re-learn what love means. What does love mean to you now?
I think I’ve always had unrealistic expectations of what romance should feel and look like. I think I improved a lot in how I approached my last relationship which ended badly but which I really cherish. I feel like I learned a lot and will continue to do so. I am now kind of realizing though that comfort ins’t sustainable, is an illusion and I have to see the ways that I start losing myself when I couple. I still have hope!
Do you have any animals on your farm in Iowa?
Just my dog Olive! She’s my best friend and baby girl!
What are your goals for 2021?
I just want to be at peace with myself no matter what is happening around me!
Interview by John Burbidge