Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lisa Liu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I am immensely happy as an artist, yet I’m constantly curious about what other folks do for a living. I’m currently on tour with the EDM band Odesza, and I recently contracted a 95-piece orchestra at the legendary Sony Scoring Stage in Los Angeles. I wonder about all the other people who are involved, from crew to security, lighting, engineering, food service, drivers, managers, wardrobe, and so on.

We each play a small yet significant role in the overall success of a project or business. It feels like I’m part of a team, and I wonder if others feel the same way, or if they are simply in a routine of work-home-work.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My parents designed this pre-destined, creative path for me. My mother, soprano Li-Ping Hsieh, went to Juilliard in the early 60’s, and also attended the esteemed Milan Conservatory. She had always envisioned that her little girl would follow her footsteps as a successful musician. I attended Juilliard for 9 years, and spent my 20’s rebelling from my education by playing with hip-hop bands, in dance clubs, with any kind of style of music that wasn’t classical. This rebelliousness has been persistent throughout my career as a violinist and producer. My first love is performing the violin, and I enjoy contracting musicians for live shows and film scores, as it’s an opportunity to create work for musicians and select the players I really want to play with.
The diversity of musical influences and directions in my youth set me up to be attracted to new, sometimes risky, creative choices. I love collaborating and exploring new territory with various musical artists and producers.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the opportunity to meet new like-minded people and merging our talents. Working with new people breaks me out of a routine, and I’m eager to be inspired, challenged, to gain fresh perspectives, to expand my way of creating and thinking.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I imagine that an artist’s life can appear to be fleeting, uncertain, whimsical. We are driven by passion, oftentimes a sense of urgency and a need to express all the ineffable feelings we possess. I follow my instinct, a glimpse of inspiration, or a sudden opportunity for a new experience. Routine is probably the death of creativity, so artists feel the need to live freely expressed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lisaliumusic.com
• Instagram: @lisaliumusic
• Facebook: @lisaliumusic
• Linkedin: @lisaliumusic
• Twitter: @thereallisaliu
• Youtube: @Li-PingHsiehSoprano

Image Credits

Mitch Henson
Norvin Tu-Wang
Sarah Ivy Dickerson
Olivia Valdes
Odesza