Fresh talk with Lisa Bregneager
Meet Lisa Bregneager, a musician renowned for her unique falsetto, which exudes an enchanting and ethereal quality. She ingeniously blends it with performance art, resulting in a truly extraordinary and captivating experience. Lisa has just released her sixth album, titled "Garden of New", exactly a decade after her debut album.
Read this inspiring interview with Lisa as she reflects on pivotal moments and valuable insights throughout her career. Discover what she considers to be the most empowering aspect of being a woman.
1. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF!
I'm a 36-year-old music producer, songwriter, and visual artist from the west coast of Denmark. I grew up by the ocean, where my parents ran an orphanage, it was a very loving community. While I am currently based in Copenhagen, I have also lived in Toronto and Berlin. I have two small kids – Zoe and Izzy.
2. HOW DID YOU ENTER THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
I started writing music in my early teens and then studied music production in London before university. I released my first album back in 2012 – printing CDs on my home computer. In 2013, a Swedish label discovered my talent and supported me in breaking through significant barriers. Suddenly, I found myself performing remarkable support shows in concert halls throughout the United States.
3. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF WORKING IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
Discovering the freedom of creating music is an unmatched experience. It's a constant journey of self-discovery as an artist, pushing boundaries and uncovering my true potential. It feels like I'm just scratching the surface of my musical abilities.
Collaborating with friends and producing music for fellow artists has become a newfound passion. As a photographer and video maker, I love creating visuals and videos to accompany my songs.
4. WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE?
Navigating the lo-fi indie pop universe can be challenging. My sound is not commercial enough to be mainstream so it has to grow in other ways. As a side effect of this challenge, it can feel quite lonely to release music sometimes.
5. WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR CAREER?
I remember a good friend of mine said: "Life is not over yet," when we walked through a Nick Cave exhibit. It was one of these days when I had given up on music. Friends who believe in you are everything!
I have a vivid memory of watching an interview with photographer Annie Leibowitz. She mentioned the importance of capturing emotions rather than getting caught up in technicalities.
Trusting my instincts and feelings in music production is an ongoing process. But it usually means producing and mixing everything by myself. It's easy to doubt whether you're good enough or qualified to do it, but there's nobody who hears things quite the way you do.
6. WHAT IS YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS FROM IDEATION TO EXECUTION?
Other people's art truly inspires me. When something really touches me I will use it as inspiration and try to copy certain methods or structures.
I find creative inspiration in powerful emotions and spontaneous musical improvisation. Capturing the raw essence of my initial creative moments, my recordings reflect the chords, grooves, and sounds that touch me deeply. Lyrics, too, emerge organically through the process of improvisation.
7. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Consistency is everything! Trust your goosebumps and let them guide you.
8. IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH 3 WOMEN, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD IT BE – AND WHY?
/ My grandmother, Ingrid. She was a force, a farmer, and a role model. She carried hay bales like no one else. The way she cooked for everyone. The way she was humble. I would ask her all the things I forgot to ask her when she was alive.
/ Gertrude Stein. Because of her poetry, her attitude toward theatre, and her ability to gather and inspire people. Counting Her Dresses is my favorite piece.
/ Tiebreaker: Sophie Calle or Cindy Sherman. The way they work with the camera as an eyewitness. The performance and staging of their work are very different but also similar in some ways.
9. WHAT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL/POWERFUL THING ABOUT BEING A WOMAN?
Pursuing a certain type of freedom that is not defined yet. It feels powerful to be part of a change, the defining of new gender roles and the breaking free from fixed structures. It's all about slowly changing behaviour towards certain ideas and believing in the power of change.
10. WHAT IS YOUR BEST BEAUTY ADVICE?
Having time for yourself.
11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUORI PRODUCT AND WHY?
The One – it just feels incredible!
12. HOW DO YOU BALANCE TAKING CARE OF YOUR SKIN AND BEING A NEW MOM?
With a few precious minutes and a few excellent products, it's doable.
