Interview With The Artist And Producer Lisa Bella Donna

I would like to welcome you on my website for Music interview and the interview contain eight Questions .

Question One

how did you start making electronic music ?

Ans :- Lisa: “In my pre-teens I would experiment with a Wurlitzer electronic organ and two tape recorders. It was very primitive, but it encouraged me to include found sounds and experiment with tape loops, Sound on sound, and layering counterpoint into a dreamy wash of soundscapes.

In my early teens in the mid 1980s, I began working as a session musician and assistant at a local jingle commercial recording studio. It’s there, that I discovered a Synthesizer for the first time. Of course, the recording studio used modern Synthesizers for their projects, but in the back of the building they had a small storage area that had old instruments and synthesizers collecting dust on shelves. It’s there that I discovered a Minimoog and Arp Odyssey for the first time.

It was a total life-changing experience, those first explorations with analog Synthesizers. I began saving every penny that I could to start buying my own Synthesizers at that time. They were hard to come by but they were not expensive then. Soon I begin bringing them into sessions and the engineers of the recording studio we’re not happy about that. They thought the instruments were “old junk” as they called it.

Being supportive and encouraging, the owners of the recording studio set me up with a little tiny dirty room in the back of the facility so I could set up some tape recorders and a handful of the synthesizers that I have been buying.

For the next two years I begin developing my own music with analog and Modular Synthesizers in that room.

I basically lived in that room. I would work on sessions in the jingle studio all afternoon until about 1 or 2 am. Sleep on the couch until 4 or 5 am then awaken and work with my ARP and Moog Synthesizers until 1pm.

I was so happy, inspired, and young, I didn’t need much food or sleep. I had music to make. So much to learn and discover. It was a beautiful formative time…

Then, I still had almost zero reference for what electronic music was outside of the early pioneers of the craft. Composers like Vladimir Ussachevsky, Milton Babbitt, Iannis Xenakis, Wendy Carlos, etc were my first inspirations.

I wanted to learn their techniques but I also had my own vision of what I wished to evoke with my music and the synthesis skills I worked hard to develop.

I just loved the tactile freedom of expression and exploration with these instruments. That love is still as alive in me today some 35 years later…”

Question Two

What made you want to become a musician ?

Ans :- Lisa: “At age 3, my older cousin who was a teenage music fan in the early-mid 70s, sat me between the speakers in her room and played Black Sabbath really loud. She opened the gatefold album jacket and set it in front of me. It’s an experience I’ll never forget…”

Question Three

Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music ?

Ans :- Lisa: “Homemaking, cooking, being in the woods, spending time with my daughter and partner. I love long sessions of reading books of many makes and models. I love documentaries, history, most anything nature oriented.”

Question Four

what kind of music Gear you Used and Why ?

Ans :- Lisa: “O dear, this could be a novel in itself. Lol

I use a wide variety of equipment to realize my compositions and recordings. I compose primarily with Moog & ARP modular synthesizer systems. Because they have a sound that is pure and alive. The interfacing of these instruments is as equally inspiring.

I have what many would consider a very large modular synthesizer system. It’s a 32 voice system with 32 sequencer controllers, 8 voice polyphonic interface, a wide selection of filters, envelopes, attenuators, quantizers, modifiers, and a wilderness of switching and gate expansion devices. Most of my effects also come from the modular system. Reverberation, delays, parametric filters, phasing, chorusing, etc

It’s all enclosed in sturdy custom built cabinets for economical space and movement in programming and performance.

I have a 64 x 16 recording console that is interface with both digital and analog I/O. Either into a UA Apollo 16 or SSL 16 interface or a series of reel to reel recorders : Fostex, Otari, and Tascam.

Most of my records are recorded analog and then mastered in the digital domain through an analog signal path. It’s a wonderful combination to commit the performance to magnetic tape while retaining the sonic richness that both digital and analog platforms provide the artist. I monitor exclusively with Focal professional monitors”.

Question Five

Who is your favorite artist or a person you look up to in the industry ?

Ans :- Lisa: “Allan Holdsworth”.

Question Six

Do you think anyone can be a musical artist ?

Ans :- Lisa: “Well, many of todays Top 100 artists aren’t musicians, however the style of music that has been developed over the past 20 years doesn’t require a history of musical development. It’s become a different craft.

The style IS the craft. We now have the technology available to create professional sounding product with or without musical ability or intention. What brings the most return in todays music business is content consistency. When you can create a style that is repetitive and easy to consume, you have a larger demographic to pull from. You also don’t have to rely on the talents or shortcomings of other musicians. This creates a much higher profit margin for the modern recording artist. One person can create an entire work themselves. If you can find a niche that brings high follower numbers, you’re in business.

It’s a great time in history to have so many amazing, professional tools available to us now. It all comes down to personal intentions and taste. There’s no rules on how you wish to create. Having platforms like Bandcamp and even YouTube, any artist of any kind of possible style has a personal platform for their artistic expression. It’s a beautiful and inspiring time. The liberation is there. The challenge now is, can an artist be heard through the mass of the lowest common denominator?

I believe there is still a possibility for most artists to at least have their releases pay for the recordings themselves. To make a living as a musical artist is another challenge. If you’re making music that compares to the Top 100?, there’s a great possibility for that return. If it’s anywhere outside that perimeter, you will have to be creative in other ways to attract and hold interest of your listeners and potential supporters. Whether it’s with education or production work or music retail…”

Question Seven

What is your main inspiration ?

Ans :- Lisa: "Being a parent, homemaking, living deep in the country, the promise of composing and realizing my work through synthesis.

I get to have the possibilities of unlimited musical and sonic harness. I am inspired by

extensive hiking, and having a daily connection to the wilderness.

Reading evocative and inspiring books, working with clear, talented individuals.

The kind support and circulation I have with my listeners. If it weren’t for them. You wouldn’t know my music.”

Question Eight

What strengths do you have that you believe make you a great musician ?

Ans :- Lisa: “Patience and perseverance. I have devoted a lifetime of developing musical and sonic command. I can work quickly and efficiently to commit to a finished work. I’m in as in love with the craft as the moment I first heard music. Somehow, regardless of many turbulent times, I have never lost that child like passion and excitement for every project.

My gratitude has allowed me to let go of the aspects of creating that I can’t control. My motto is this: if you have your health, you have everything available to realize your dreams and aspirations. The gig is to go to bed later and get up earlier. Enjoy the process more than the destination. I’ve learned over time how to stay out of my own way. It’s a personal dedication that takes time to perfect.”

Special Thank To The Musician Lisa Bella Donna For The interview .

And For Contact With Lisa Bella Donna Press in The Artist Contact On My Website

And if You interest To Read About The Musician Lisa Bella Donna Press in The About Artists On My Website .