Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Bianco.
Hi Lisa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from NYC and I moved to LA about a year and a half ago. I’ve been playing music since kindergarten starting with the piano and then flute in the 3rd-grade. I played in concert band, orchestra, and marching band up until through high school. I was always drawn to music and having a brother about six years older than me exposed me to rock n’ roll at an early age. I was in for life. By the time I was in high school, I wanted to play guitar…and leave Beethoven behind (temporarily at least!). I started guitar my senior year of high school, learning mostly alternative rock, indie, post-punk and grunge. I was drawn to that particular vibe and aesthetic of music, its ideas and philosophy you could say. I didn’t have friends in bands so I was looking to start a band with practically strangers. I had no road map or a guidebook to do anything. After a few years of that not working out I just wanted to get out there and play songs I was writing so I started doing open mics at the Sidewalk Cafe in the East Village. I really had no stage performance or signing experience growing up. I definitely was very green and scared whenever I went up on stage. Most people probably can’t believe that now because I’m very dynamic and energetic on stage today. I did a solo project for some years in NYC and toured regionally in small venues. Very DYI and I learned so many skills from booking my own shows, getting my own press, learning all about amps and guitars, even basic HTML. I built a huge network and knew at least one person who does something in the music industry. Lol. Then I hit a wall. I felt that I did all that I could do for myself to propel my music career.
To mix things up I decided to tour with other bands as a guitarist. I got connected to a band called Hunter Valentine and I started to tour with them across the US and that just kickstarted myself into a touring career. Even with that and several tours under my belt, I started to feel that NYC was not offering me what I wanted to achieve. That was incredibly hard for me as I have been in NYC my whole life. It is in my bones and who I am. But just before the pandemic, I had been touring through LA a lot and spending a couple weeks at a time here. I was meeting other musicians and seeing what they were doing. It was very exciting to me and my gut told me I needed a change. And sunny and 70 all the time was pretty cool too. I knew quite a bit of musicians and creatives in LA already so the transition here was a little easier for me. In the time I have been here in LA I picked up regular gigs for several LA-based artists and in March/April 2023, I did a tour with Lauren Ruth Ward in the UK and Europe. I have embraced all that LA has to offer. Everywhere I go is a new adventure for me whether it’s a venue, a restaurant, a store, a new neighborhood, etc. I feel revived and excited about music and creating here in LA.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been exactly a smooth road as I spoke about in the previous question. I have had so many “no’s” in my career. I’ve lost so much money along the way from pay-to-play situations, bad managers, and just what it costs to run yourself as a musician and business. It’s also a challenge being a woman in the industry as well. There seems to be an expectation still that woman musicians are not as good players as men. It may not be as overt today but the undertones and behaviors of people can imply that.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a touring/studio musician and songwriter. I primarily play guitar but I play keys as well. I love to be on the road and work with artists to help them execute what they do live. And that is what I believe I am most known for, bringing that performance on stage and elevating the artist. I feel all of my experiences, successes and failures built me and gave me the skills I have. I’ve been on both sides of being an artist and supporting artists. So I feel I understand what an artist needs. I put myself in their shoes because I’ve been there too. I’ve always worked well with people, music and non-music related. I love the group effort and pulling off things that seem impossible. As a songwriter and when co-writing with an artist, I like to know their story and where they came from. I listen to their body of music and digest it. Then that guides me into what I want to bring to the table to write songs with them. You could say I am a chameleon.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I think the most important thing is to just stay in it. Again, there was no guidebook for me. I just put one foot in front of the other and just did it. I stuck with it. I think the arts, music, and fashion industries are very difficult to be in it. It is not for the faint of heart. Be open to learn and take advice, good or bad. Sure everyone has an opinion and maybe take things with a grain of salt. But I think there is something to learn with everything you do. Take a little piece from here and there.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lisabianco.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lisabianco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisabiancomusic
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-a-bianco
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaBianco
Image Credits
First portrait photo leather Jacket – Jack Lue 1- blue looking up Vivian : So Finch Photography 2- red lip print. Lucky Shot Photos 3- I need more shirt – Jack Lue 4- LA backdrop is mine. I phone 5- black and white – Shirin Tinati 6- on couch blue guitar – Shirin Tinati 7- Demim shirt white guitar – Jo Marie Brent
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