Lisa Caruso Borrow My Body Interview

A Very Smooth Ride

There's an unlikeness to Sydney artist Lisa Caruso that left a mark on avid listeners after the success of her first releases. With an utterly unique vocal that bleeds honesty and conviction, Lisa's songs scream empathetic feelings.

Fronting a band full of guts, expect boldness in heart on sleeve lyrics and arrangements nostalgic of the 60's and 90's indie eras.

Teaming up with guitarist Benjamin Fletcher (Sarah Blasko, Marina and the Diamonds) on production first in the UK and then in OZ has actualised Lisa's desire to create authentic music.

Since impressing Australian audiences with brooding track 'Shake Baby Shake' in November last year, the song about invisible illness has raised eyebrows, earning its way onto popular American NBC series 'Good Girls'. Attaining praise from larger audiences around the world, Lisa accelerated at full speed with single number two, revealing a raucous attitude in 'A Holiday'.

With plenty more to come, this next release is being described as 'disrobed and romantic'.

Unveiling another layer of her work, 'Borrow my Body' is a 'smooth ride', as suggested by producer Ben. A shimmering peek into what else can be expected from this charming songstress' long awaited debut album, due out later this year.

Interview with Lisa Caruso

Question: How did it feel to hear your first release, Shake Baby Shake on Good Girls?

Lisa Caruso: Pretty great, I love actress Christina Hendricks so to see it playing in the background of one of her scenes was very exciting! I was very humbled as to how they used it.


Question: Can you tell us about Borrow My Body?

Lisa Caruso: Borrow My Body is a pretty vulnerable track, I've always been attached to this song, so it took some time to find the right arrangement to do the sentiment justice. The layering of guitars was the first thing we put down which really set the tone. Ben (my producer) really nailed the ache that wasn't going to be hidden from then on out.


Question: What inspired the track?

Lisa Caruso: The lyrics were led by a feeling which steered the ship. In my mind, I had, and have this image of an empty house with a woman standing in the doorway out back. It's late at night and it's where her ex-lover lives. She goes there to seek comfort. With a mutual kindness, they share a safe space together. It's a kind of love and devotion, but also an emptiness and ache. A love that is not everlasting. It's beautiful, but sad, but beautiful.


Question: Where did the ideas for the video for Borrow My Body come from?

Lisa Caruso: Adam (DOP) and I wanted to create something that had a simplicity and beauty about it. Storyline wise, it's the aftermath of the lyric. So coming home to an empty house, too restless for bed. It's a peak into her window. The things you might do at 3am with a busy mind! I wanted this clip to be symbolic more than anything, so we started with lighting the space in a yellow glow. A warm setting in comparison to the stark 'performance' space in the foyer. Without over complicating things, we knew there should be four spaces to use, and then Adam pretty much just followed me around the house. It all came together with a few simple ideas.


Question: Can you tell us about the long awaited debut album?

Lisa Caruso: Yes. Well it is long awaited because, life. A few rather large and significant things have happened over the years which have had to take priority. Whilst it's been frustrating to have those road blocks, those experiences do live in the songs. The album has a lot of heart and takes you on a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions. I guess that's me though (laughs). We've kept it very real and I'm happy with the collection. Very excited to be releasing it.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Lisa Caruso: Sharon Van Etten is one, I caught her show on this last album tour and it blew my mind, so good! Another wonderful woman I don't get bored of is Aldous Harding. I love how unapologetically artistic she is, I hope that industries can start to embrace more of this boldness.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Lisa Caruso: I have an auto immune disease, so the patience to go gently with that when I've had a flare up. It has put a few sticks in the mud at times, but it hasn't stopped me from continuing to perform and record, and release. I am currently feeling really well and have learnt how to better manage the icky times, and sometimes even use the pain to take me somewhere different. I'm so not about "pain for art", but if it's there unwillingly, you may as well try and turn it into something.

Question: What's a typical day like?

Lisa Caruso: Activities may include yoga, a sing, a brunch or dinner with loved ones, a gig, a sunny walk, and work. I do also work.


Question: What's next, for you?

Lisa Caruso: I'm concentrating on getting this album out; and after that, I would like to start the next one.


Question: Can you share your socials?

Lisa Caruso: Facebook.com/lisacarusomusic
@lisacaruso


Interview by Brooke Hunter