Lisa Bennett: "If you want to make Jah laugh, tell Him about your plans!"

You currently reside in Westouter, in the West Side of Belgium, but you moved from the States, right? What brought and keeps you here?

Lisa Bennett: "Yes, I was born in Brooklyn, New York to two Jamaican parents. We lived there until I was about six or seven years old and then we moved to the Philadelphia area, where I stayed until love brought me to Belgium. I am now happily married to Bramma of Groove Station Sound, so that definitely is one thing that keeps me here. But I have also already taken the time to introduce myself to everyone here, musically, and I like to finish what I have started. I have a lot more to show!"

We are sure about that, but don't you miss America or Jamaica from time to time?

"What I miss the most back there is my family, especially my mom. Of course I miss my friends, the familiarity and the convenience of it all. And the shopping! (laughs) I used to go to Jamaica every year before I came here. Most of the times, I stayed with my family in Kingston, but I have family all over the island. At one point I was going to move there, but if you want to make Jah laugh, tell Him about your plans, so it didn't happen. Now Jamaica is like a whole different world to itself, it's like magic. I just recently got back from the island for my wedding and coincidentally bucked up into hurricane Sandy, which was a pleasure. We plan to go back next year."

As a daughter of two Jamaican parents, we suggest reggae has always played a big role in your life? When did you decide you wanted to be a singer?

"Well, my musical background is based in R&B, reggae, dancehall and a kind of my own mash-up of different sounds. I come from a very musical family, also. My grandfather used to make stringed instruments from scratch and sell them to musicians and different orchestras, so that trickled into a lot of us in the family. I knew since I was a little girl that I wanted to sing. My mother had THE BEST record collection, she had everything from lovers rock to digital to country… There was constantly music playing in our house and I was always hanging around in her record collection."

Can you sum up some records from that time, that were a big influence for your own musical career?

"If I had to name the most important songs or artists in no particular order, I would start with 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. I don't remember the guy's name, but it was reggae and it just sounded so beautiful to me. Then I'd Say Mariah Carey's 'Hero', because that was the first time I got chills when watching someone sing. I remember saying to myself: "I also want to make people feel like that." Further, there is Sade for her voice and grace, and Prince, just because he is a musical genius. And then of course Bob Marley, because he is proof that you can sing about Jah and the people will listen. I still listen to those key people nowadays, but I listen to way more conscious music than I did before. It's very soothing music and most importantly, there is a message."

Is that important to you in your own songs, that there is a message in your lyrics? How do you work a song out?

"Well, I write my own music mainly because I want to ensure that it are always my very own thoughts and feelings that I am singing about. Otherwise, it has to be a point of view that I fully agree with. When I work, no one can be around to make sure there are no interruptions. I usally start by placing the instrumental into Audacity and while recording a track, I just hum, sing or rap whatever feels good to me. Then I listen and build upon that, until I have a rough copy of the song. Although I can write with or without an instrumental, I prefer to use one."

What about your live shows? What can a crowd expect from you on stage?

"I party on stage, so just having fun is my experience. My music appeals to a lot of different audiences, because I bring different genres, from reggae over dancehall to dub. I believe that variety is the key. You can expect a lot of dancing, regardless of which show you catch. For the reggae and dancehall sets I would say to expect more of a chill and sassy showcase with more conscious lyrics, as for the dub sets expect a more high energy show. For the dub performances it's more 'anything goes', but I go between singing, rapping and deejaying throughout both sets. I have experience playing with both different sounds, such as Dub Grow and Groove Station, and with Asham band as a live band. Each brings it's own perks. With the sounds it's so much fun to play with different styles, but on the other hand playing with live music is such a magical experience so that makes it hard to choose."

Looking back at 2012, what were the highlights of the year for you? Are there any people you would like to thank?

"I would have to say opening for Mavado in Petrol was huge for me. I had never seen him live until that point, so I was so psyched when my set was over and he got on stage. Playing in Tielt with Dub Grow was also big for me. It was a rainy day and there weren't a lot of people to start with, but as we played, more and more people came into the tent and everyone was just bouncing... I was on such a high. Playing with Asham was big too, because that was my first experience playing with a live band. Last but not least, Mek It Burn festival. That was my first time as a headliner and it was such an awesome experience. There are a lot of people that helped me along the way but first and foremost all praises to The Most High, because He gives me the strength, wisdom, and the guidance to realize my dream. I would also like to thank my husband for being my biggest supporter and my best friend and just everyone who believed in me enough to invest their time and energy with me. I'd like to thank you all for helping me make my dreams come true!"

What may we wish you for 2013 and what will you bring us? If there was one stage you could choose to rock, what would it be?

"For 2013, I want knowledge, wisdom and understanding. There will be a Lisa Bennett EP next year, so look out for that. I am currently working on some tunes with great producers from Germany, Poland and Jamaica that I am really excited about. If you could rock one stage, I'd love to play at Reggae Geel of course."

This is your chance to convince the promoters to book you. Pick one tune they should listen to.

"That would be 'Resolution'. It describes a dream I once had, about the state of the world and the different traps that are laid for us. It's about what the children or the future will be like if this continues and that we all need to make a stand. Not in a violent way, but in love, peace and unity."