When I first heard Lizzy Loeb take her rightful place behind the microphone I was blown away. There is an honesty in Loeb's voice that is infectious. Loeb's pristine vocals seem to caress and play what I refer to as "catch and release" with each note. I was fortunate to catch up with Lizzy Loeb and wanted to share our conversation.
L.L. - "The real revelation that I could do music for a living came pretty late. I was at SCAD in Savannah, Georgia, and was playing music constantly, doing whatever gigs I could get. The positive feedback pushed me onwards. My first paying gig was on Halloween night, at one of the school buildings, and people were in their costumes, listening to me. It was bizarre, and it made me feel that I was really on to something.
If I had to put myself in brackets, I would say the music I make is pop/jazz/soul/folk. I don't want to name a certain artist that I want to emulate. There are so many that inspire me, but none that I want to be just like-- I started writing songs because I felt that I had something more to put out there."
Your style is incredibly pure without the self indulgent tricks so often seen on shows like American Idol etc. Where does your vocal inspiration come from?
L.L. - "I'm a big fan of non-singers. By non-singers, I mean singers that weren't professionally trained. I think singing can be such a guttural, human experience. It's like crying or laughing, so I don't really think that it necessarily has to be harnessed or trained. The singers that inspire me lately are really honest and raw: Ray Charles, Kurt Cobain. I also love a good diva."
L.L. - "I'm a big fan of non-singers. By non-singers, I mean singers that weren't professionally trained. I think singing can be such a guttural, human experience. It's like crying or laughing, so I don't really think that it necessarily has to be harnessed or trained. The singers that inspire me lately are really honest and raw: Ray Charles, Kurt Cobain. I also love a good diva."
Having worked with your dad Chuck Loeb do you ever worry about being pigeon holed or are labels an issue for you?
L.L. - "Labels don't bother me, as they don't mean much. I love jazz, and don't mind being put in the category. Jazz means free-ness in music, to me."
The music business has had some issues. Jazz sales in particular are down, what is wrong?
L.L. - "The music business is frustrating, but I can't say what's wrong with it. It is what is, and it's always evolving. I'm new to it, and always learning. I think it's actually a cool time to be making music. There's a much more direct link to the fans and the feedback."
Have shows like American Idol or X-Factor given the general public the wrong impression of what a good vocalist show be capable of? Are they peddling style over substance?
L.L. - "I don't think the general public is easily fooled. A good amount of people seek out music and try to find artists that they can listen to for a lifetime. That's what's beautiful about social media. You aren't relegated solely to what is pushed on you anymore."
So what is coming up and what was the name of the last disc you bought?
L.L. - "Right now I am in the process of recording my next record. It has been a long writing process, and I'm very proud of the songs. I am also playing as many shows as I can. You will be able to find me on stage pretty frequently in NYC in the coming months, with lots of new material to be tested!"
You can find info about shows at
and Drawing Lines, my debut album is available on iTunes and CDBaby.com!
The records I've been listening to lately are by some artists I've had the pleasure of playing with: Charlene Soraia/Moonchild, Andy Davis/Heartbreak Yellow, and otherwise I am seriously grooving on Little Dragon.
Extra special thanks to Lizzy Loeb! Enjoy this You Tube bonus!
