I was lucky enough to be invited to Lissie’s album release party at Hollywood’s Sassafras Saloon on Monday night and I am very glad that I was able to make it. I had not previously heard of the folk rock band that is led by Elisabeth “Lissie” Maurus and includes Eric Sullivan on guitar
, Lewis Keller on bass and foot drums, and Jesse Siebenberg on drums, keyboards, and lap steel guitar, but after seeing them perform, I am pretty sure that there is about to be quite a bit of buzz surrounding this up and coming band.
I arrived at the Sassafras a little before 8p and was surprised by how authentically the rather inconspicuous bar (I drove by twice before finding it) exudes the ambiance of a saloon with old-timey fixtures and a balconied, lofted stage. The crowd had the warm glow of an intimate dinner party and as the band came out onto the stage above us, it was clear from the guests’ enthusiastic cheers that they were very excited for the show and the impending release of Lissie’s second album, Back to Forever, on October 8th, 2013.
As Lissie prepared for the set, she commented on the uniqueness of the venue and the unusual experience of playing from so high above the crowd. She encouraged attendees to sample her homemade mezcal and humbly thanked everyone for their presence and support.
With her sunny California beauty and tousled blonde hair, it would be easy to assume that the success of this Rock Island, IL-native, now based out of Ojai, CA might be riding on appearances, but nothing could be further from the truth. From the moment Lissie began to perform, her immense talent permeated the entire room and everyone in the house was immediately captivated. Lissie’s voice has been compared to that of Stevie Nicks and Neko Case and as she alternated between gently crooning and soulfully belting out her lyrics, it was clear that she was channeling the rock legends of the 70s. Both Lissie and her fellow band members played with the easy professionalism of seasoned performers and when asked about the obvious chemistry between the band-members, Lewis remarked that even after years of traveling and playing together, there was so much love between Lissie and what a close family friend referred to as “her brothers”.
Lissie’s set included songs from the new album that ranged from melancholy ballads to full-force metal-inspired rock anthems before ending the night with a very unexpected, but excellent cover of Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness”. As I watched Lissie jam out on stage in her white T and blue jeans, I wondered if I might be witnessing one of the last intimate performances of a musician who is on the verge of finally receiving the recognition that she unquestionably deserves.
With her milestone performance on Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show on October 9th, 2013, it is doubtful that Lissie’s music will be kept a secret for too much longer, and given the fact that the band is bringing back some of the greatest traditions of American rock music history, music lovers everywhere will be better off once the cat’s out of the bag.
Check out Lissie's music video for "Sleepwalking" here:
Back to Forever can be purchased on the following online stores:
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