Lisa Goe

Lisa Goe- has penned music for some of the biggest names in the industry including Justin Bieber, Jordin Sparks, Ingram Hill, Haven, Midnight Kids, and Patent Pending to name a few.

Interview conducted on November 02, 2020

By Dan Locke

Lisa Goe was born in Los Angeles and raised in Santa Barbara. Her father was a musician when he came out to California and her mother was a student at UCSB. Although Lisa’s father sacrificed being a studio musician at Capitol in order to support his family in Santa Barbara, he passed on his music bug to his little girl. Lisa’s father was heavily into Jazz & Rock, which shaped Lisa’s music style. During her college years in Chicago, Lisa increasingly gained an appreciation for jazz, blues, gospel, and r&b. She moved back to CA and continued to write music. This led to her introduction to artists such as Katy Perry, Tony Lucca, & Ernie Halter.

Your dad was a jazz drummer and union player, did he ever take you with him to any of his sessions?

His days of doing sessions were before my time.  He did however have his buddies over for jam sessions frequently. Later on, during my first session at Capitol Records, I called my dad, and apparently, he used to play his drums on a floor or room I was near.  It was an exciting thing to share with him for sure. 

How did you discover music?

Since Birth.  For as long as I can remember, there was always music.  My grandparents played records in the living room, there was always a stereo on with something on. As early as Kindergarten, I started performing in musicals and then writing my own music, and later playing on stages with a group of other excellent singer/songwriters.

How did you start to write music?

I started young actually.  I wrote poems for fun.  I had a friend recognize my poems were songs.  She gave me a guitar she wasn’t using, and introduced me to a whole world I didn’t know existed.  With her encouragement, I started seeing music as less a hobby, and more a lifetime career.

You used your mother’s classical guitar to write your first song. What was the title of that first original song? Did you record it? 

When trying to remember what my first song was, I realized my first song ever was actually on piano.  It was called (N)ever Lonely.  I auditioned for my High School’s talent show.  I had a standing ovation at the audition and was rejected. Instead, I sang background for a theater teacher’s pet. I didn’t mind all that much.  As long as I was able to sing on stage.  It was disappointing, but it didn’t stop me from continuing to write and perform.  

My first song on my mom’s guitar I remember was kind of somber.  My mom always wanted me to play happy songs, but I find happiness in the somber sometimes.  I did record it, and need to go through old tapes to find it! I’m sure it sounds… vintage haha. I recorded it on my own by taking a recorder and a boom box, and I’d first record the guitar part, then I’d put that tape in the boom box and then record my voice over the guitar, and then if I wanted harmonies, I’d do that, then repeat.  It took some time to figure out how to layer, but I did it!  I ended up making a fun tape of about 5 songs and sharing with close friends for Christmas. I really need to find those tapes. haha!

What was your first performance like?

My first performance I was 4 years old. And yes. I remember it.  I remember the music cuing up, and looking out into the dark.  The halo of light outlining the heads of adults with tiny red lights blinking from camcorders all crammed in a multi-purpose room.  I remember grabbing the mic and adjusting it down like I had done it a million times.  I remember the feeling, but I really couldn’t tell you what the song was about. Haha!  My first performance performing my own music was the talent show I auditioned for.  Even though I didn’t make the final show, the support of my friends in that audition room, meant so much. Some of them didn’t realize I had written it till they asked.  It encouraged me to keep going. 

How was it to write music for some of the biggest names in the Industry?

Humbling really.  Most of the people I have written for were friends first. The ones I was not friends with before, I’ve become friends with now. I have a firm belief though, that some people, no matter how big a name they are, you may just not mesh well. And that’s ok!! Some people you can cook with and eat with, others you just drink with.  Some people you work great together with, but on a personal level, ya just don’t connect. It’s the same with music.  When I’m able to write with someone I admire, and they send positive feedback, it’s always a reward. I am beyond grateful for the opportunities I’ve been able to participate in. 

How was it to do background vocals on Relient K “Air for Free”?

Wow!! Y’all have done your research!! That’s amazing! Matt Thiessen and I have been friends for a long time.  He dated one of my friends when we were teens.  We kept running into each other all over the country, and have remained friends for about 19 years now?!! We share a birthday weekend, and both moved to Nashville around the same time. He’s been an amazing support in my life.  It’s been a bummer being unable to see him, and other friends for that matter as much, even when they live down the street.  The love is still there. 

Tell me about your new single “I Got Mine”?

It started unexpectedly. I went over to my friend’s airbnb to listen back to some songs we worked on during the week with a Swedish Country Singer, Jake Lindholm.  Andreas Eriksson, the producer of the song, was playing on his guitar this little guitar lick, and I couldn’t help but start writing to it. It happened quickly, and after a few swift hours the song was complete.  Andreas took the song back with him to Budapest to build out the production some more, and the rest is history. 

The decision to release under my own name rather than try and pitch to another artist, was based-off recognizing I wanted to stop hiding music from the public. I have loads of songs that are not yet released.  With Andreas encouragement, and me itching to put out music, we decided to put it out. We waited till now, because honestly when we originally were going to release in April/ May attention needed to be elsewhere.

Tell me about your project KOYOKE?

Koyoke was a project I was really excited to lift off.  Time, money, and being unable to find other producers interested in what I had to offer was what made the swift decline of Koyoke.  Koyoke was meant as a Sync and Listening project. Something to pitch for Video games and Commercials.  At the time, I don’t think people understood the value of placements. I love commercials, soundtracks, video games, and I love creating a mood for those brief and important moments. Koyoke may come back in the future. For now, I’m focusing on something new:) 

Digital vs. vinyl? What are your feelings about streaming music?

Vinyl.  As much as Digital does give loads of exposure to discovering music. I prefer vinyl. Streaming is a slippery slope.  It blinds the public into thinking artists are being taken care of. I am pretty much creating for free while hustling 3 jobs in order to create.  Multiple countries such as Canada, Denmark, and the UK, praise artists and even give them an allowance to focus on their art.  It’s really unfortunate.  I love discovering new music, but the cost to the artist is insane. 

With no real live music (mostly virtual shows) except for things like Drive-In Theater shows with crowds for the past 6 months, what do you think will be the future of music?

I really believe placements and sync will become way more popular (not that they haven’t already been but even more so).  Having worked with sync and placements independently I’ve already noticed it becoming more difficult to get into.  It has definitely become more competitive.  I also think the people that have utilized what they can do rather than what they can’t are the real champions. I have friends who have traded in their homes for camper vans touring in socially distanced backyards and parking lots.  I have a buddy who owns a spot called Daddy’s Dogs, who put on the first live music event in Nashville by doing drive-in shows.  This was before that idea started really picking up.  It’s a genius!! I have other friends who are curating songs specifically for people and doing exceptionally well.  Music is not going to die.  It’s using that creativity and stretching it just a little bit.  Having a “Can Do” attitude, is what is going to make the music continue to thrive.  It’s just going to look a little different.  My main concern is making sure creatives are being taken care of. Right now, the compensation is beyond low compared to even 20 years ago. That’s a bummer for sure.  To those who have been championing through, many will follow the best ideas.  To those who are starting great musical hustles, be prepared for imitations! That means you’re doing great!!! (Because who wants to copy something that doesn’t work) 

What are your feelings about the social uprising going on in the United States?

Great!!!  I feel like people are finally waking up.  It’s not comfortable by any means, but i feel more than ever people are practicing their right as an American to speak. We all have a voice!! Whatever your opinion, I think the biggest issue right now is people being decent and respectable.  Yes, we have free speech, but free speech doesn’t mean Be Mean!  Be Hurtful. Everyone can have their own opinions. But be prepared for not everyone to agree with you. 

What is the mental health situation of the United State? How can the public help the doctors and nurses on the front line?

(I hope I’m answering this question correctly. I believe you’re asking about mental health?) Woof! America needs… NEEDS better mental health care. I personally believe it should be as easy as getting aspirin in a pharmacy. When I went to Copenhagen to write, I was shocked to hear someone’s brother was in “Asylum” I was like… whoa! Is that ok?!   He said “yeah. it’s pretty normal to go. My brother was struggling with a break up so he went to talk to someone” Easy as that. The mind is such a complex space. Filled with traumas and triggers sometimes people don’t even recognize they have. This I think is especially necessary for Doctors/ Nurses/ Officers to go to. Get help!! Personally, for me, therapy has changed my life.  It’s been difficult. I’ve hurt people along the way and recognized the monsters I carry.  I’ve apologized profusely to people I’ve hurt, but some of those relationships were not repairable. Therapy then helped me cope with it.  It’s been great.  I only wish more people understood how to access it, and I wish there were more accessible facilities and information for it.  It should not be seen as a poor stigma. It should be celebrated. We all need mental wellness.  

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine? Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

I am lucky to live with three amazing dudes who also all cook. One is actually a chef with Sean Brock!  I have been very lucky with my guarantee.  We have kept ourselves busy with cooking, puzzles (Ok truthfully, I started a puzzle and haven’t yet finished it and now the boys are convinced once I finish the puzzle, Covid19 will be over haha. Jumanji situation…. I’m not so sure.). We have had many porch hangs, dance “parties”, waved at neighbors, visited neighbors we always wanted to spend more time with and hadn’t. I even did a live music stream on my porch in Nashville with my friends in la called “lower deck sessions” it was great!  I called some neighbors and they came and hung out on the front porch while I sang.  I’ve also been working throughout Covid19, so I have not as much had the experience as some, but the experience I have had has actually been pretty great. 

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

In this very moment, Wind Beneath My Wings sung by Bette Midler. I grew up watching Beaches and fell in love with Bette’s character.  She was so full of pizzazz and her up and down battle with the industry.  The song to me exemplifies all those who have supported me and lifted me up. I also love the memories that movie carries.  I was so bright eyed about auditioning, and jumping in this business. It’s a good reminder to keep the sparkle. 

How do you see yourself in the next five years?

This question is always difficult for me to answer because it’s never what I expect.  However, I hope that I will be able to work back in music full time. I hope to have a few more placements, be more fluent in Italian and Spanish, travel, meet new people, and of course, continue to write. 

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