Trenton-raised singer-songwriter-guitarist Lisa Bouchelle is pictured at New York City’s The Hit Factory, where she recorded her latest album, “Vandals, Thieves & Lovers.” PHOTO BY HAL B. SELZER
Trenton-raised Lisa Bouchelle writes every single day. As a result, her latest LP, “Vandals, Thieves & Lovers,” encompasses so much of the joy, pain, hope, doubt, bitter and sweet of life.
On “Vandals, Thieves & Lovers,” Lisa grapples with the full spectrum of the human experience, balancing darkness and light in equal measure as she navigates her way through love, loss, loneliness, and liberation. Recorded with a host of special guests, including Americana greats Amanda Shires and Larry Campbell, E Street Band saxophonist Jake Clemons, and Lauren Canyon guitar legend Waddy Wachtel, the collection takes a similarly wide-ranging sonic approach, drawing on folk, country, rock, blues, gospel, soul, and funk as it weaves together the disparate threads of American roots music into a captivating, cohesive whole. Add it all up, and you’ve got a timeless work that’s as indebted to Laurel Canyon and Bakersfield as Memphis and Motown, a raw, revelatory exploration of survival and resilience that showcases just how far Lisa has come, and, just as importantly, where she’s headed.
Always extremely focused on her lyrics, this time around, Lisa pushed herself to develop the music with the same depth, to craft the kinds of intros, outros, hooks and riffs that made her fall in love with songwriting in the first place. Born in Trenton, Lisa found refuge in music at an early age. Her parents’ relationship was a tumultuous one — her mother struggled with alcoholism and her father worked three jobs just to make ends meet — and the only pause in the fighting seemed to come when Bouchelle sang. As a little kid, she realized that when she performed, her family suddenly got along. That became a motivating factor she carries to this day, a desire to transcend whatever struggles or conflicts people are dealing with and bring them together through music.
Tragically, Lisa lost both of her parents at a young age, but her desire to write and perform only grew stronger in the face of her loss. She learned to make her own breaks, booking gigs at coffee shops and open mic nights and saving up to record her own independent albums, which eventually led to a distribution deal with Universal. Critics were quick to take notice, with “Paste” and “GQ” both recently hailing her as an “Artist to Watch” and “Relix” dubbing her “one of the underground music world’s most respected artists.” A relentless road warrior, Lisa has shared bills with the likes of The Wallflowers, Train, Blues Traveler, Bryan Adams, Shooter Jennings, and Steve Miller, among others. Back in New Jersey, she launched – and plans to re-launch -- her own popular Comcast television series, “Rock Star Kitchen,” and eventually found herself sharing the stage with Jersey legends Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi at benefit shows.
When it came time to work on “Vandals, Thieves & Lovers,” Lisa knew she wanted to embrace that collaborative spirit, inviting an all-star cast of artists to join her for the sessions including Nashville fiddler Amanda Shires (The Highwomen, Jason Isbell), celebrated guitarists Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan, The Band), Waddy Wachtel (Stevie Nicks, Linda Rondstadt), and Clay Cook (Zac Brown Band), E Street Band saxophonist Jake Clemons, pedal steel virtuoso Doyle Grisham (Jimmy Buffett), drummer Rich Scannella (Tonic), fiddle player Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth) and bassist/co-producer Hal B. Selzer (Joan Jett). Despite the album’s star-studded lineup, however, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on Lisa throughout the collection, with arrangements centered around her evocative vocals and infectiously rhythmic guitar work.
Instead of starting with and building on bass and drums, like most recordings, Lisa recorded her acoustic guitar and vocals first. Spending a lot of time touring on her own, she wanted to bring that energy to the sessions, to make sure her voice and guitar were the heart and soul of the songs so that everything else could radiate out from there.
That pairing of emotional intimacy and sonic adventurousness works wonders on “Vandals, Thieves & Lovers,” which opens with the stirring “A Light To Come Home To.” Bolstered by tasteful instrumental work from both Amanda and Larry, the song soars on the strength of Lisa’s soulful vocals as she muses on the relationships that ground us and give us strength. “Somehow, we'll find a way / To get back out there every day,” she proclaims. “All we need is a light to come home to.”
Like much of Lisa’s writing, the song is rooted in her lived experiences as a working-class artist, one who’s never had it easy but always manages to find the silver lining in every challenge. The driving “Game to Play” chases down dreams with tenacity and vigor, even when it seems impossible to go on, while the haunting, primarily a capella “Skeleton Krewe” honors the artistic alchemy that somehow transforms rust into gold, and the searing “Vandal” learns to let go of the lingering pain we carry inside, with Lisa lamenting, “You wrote on the walls of my soul / You vandal.”
In a lot of ways, these songs are all about what life takes and what life gives. For Lisa, life’s gifts are everywhere if you’re willing to look for them. The dreamy “Make This World Stand Still” (written by Jersey Shore compatriots Southside Johnny and Bobby Bandiera) channels Roy Orbison and Patsy Cline as it tunes out everything but a lover’s gaze. The playful “Wild Again,” featuring Springsteen sideman Jake Clemons, finds joy in cutting loose and dancing barefoot. The exhilarating “Retro Sister” embraces the rewards of being your most authentic self, and the lilting “Buzzkill” shuts down anyone who might dare to ruin the vibe.
Also appearing on the album percussionists Everett Bradley (Bon Jovi) and Graham Hawthorne (Paul Simon), violinist Gary Oleyar (Kenny Chesney), saxophonist Joey Stann (Southside Johnny), keyboardist Kenny Laguna (Joan Jett), Trenton guitarist Ernie White, co-engineer/co-producer Stephen DeAcutis on acoustic and electric guitars; local hero Arlan Feiles on piano, Jim Salamone on drums and vocals, and Trenton rocker Tom Reock and vocals. “Vandals, Thieves & Lovers” was produced by Hal and Stephen, who also recorded and mixed at New York City’s The Hit Factory with Niko Bolas. The album was mastered by Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone at Sterling Sound in Edgewater.
The album’s unofficial release party will be Sept. 26 when Lisa Bouchelle & The Bleu open for Dramarama at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. Lisa also will play a Gram Parson tribute on Sept. 23 at City Winery in New York City with James Maddock and Pat Guadagno. Look for upcoming dates at Starving Artist Cafe, Stockton; McLoone's Supper Club, Asbury Park; John & Peters, New Hope, PA; AudioLab, Morrisville, PA; Stone Pony, Asbury Park; Randy Now's Man Cave, Hightstown, and Lizzie Rose Music Room, Tuckerton, as well as a national tour to be announced.
In the meantime, enjoy the following interview with Lisa:
What made you fall in love with songwriting?
As a kid, songwriting became a way for me to express my feelings and my thoughts about the world around me. I used to get ideas while in class at school, which I’d start writing in my notebook, only to get scolded by the teacher when I was caught doing this, since I wasn’t paying attention to the lesson. I still always keep a notebook or my phone near to capture my ideas. It is a passion and hobby of mine that I was fortunate enough to turn into my life’s work!
What was your childhood like, and how did music make it better?
When I was a child, my parents loved me but seemed to argue quite often, and my immediate and extended family was what you might call ‘dysfunctional.’ I was also bullied at school for seeming ‘different.’ As an only child in this environment, music was my escape and my friend. I listened to music as much as possible and devoured certain songs I fell in love with, memorizing every vocal riff.
When I was 4 years old, I went with my family to a campground for vacation. One night, they were having a talent contest, and I, of course, wanted to enter. So, my grandmother dressed me up in an American flag for my performance of ‘America The Beautiful.’ Since I was the smallest one, they put me up on a picnic table so everyone could see me. My first real stage! And lo and behold, I won the contest!
When I won the contest, I saw the whole family was clapping, smiling, and laughing, and I realized that by singing, I could bring people together and make them happy. So, I used to sing all the time, thinking I was keeping my family together. That was the start of my wanting to bring people together with my music, and I’ve been doing it ever since!
I began playing guitar at 13 years old. Taking lessons and joining my first band the next year. The rest of the band was older than me, and so I got to learn so much from them. I’d sit in my room and play guitar and write songs. Music saved me. It often catches and saves me still!
You were raised and lived a long time in Trenton. Do you keep in touch with your Trenton music ties?
Oh yes! I perform in the area often with acts like Ernie White and Tom Reock's Reock and Roll Revue. As a matter of fact, Ernie and Tom were both involved in the recording on a few tracks on the new album.
There are so many creative and talented musicians in that area. My band and I, Lisa Bouchelle & The Bleu, recently performed a concert on the steps of the War Memorial in Downtown Trenton for their Summer Concert Series. For my last album, I also shot a music video for one of my songs inside that theater.
When I started performing at the Shore, I was lucky enough to be accepted by such great Shore musicians as Bobby Bandiera, Southside Johnny, Gary “U.S.” Bonds, and getting to sing with Bruce and Jon at a lot of the charity events. And performing at places like the Pony, Wonder Bar, McLoone’s, the Count Basie, and so many more. I feel like I have two musical homes, the Jersey Shore and Trenton!
Where do you live now, is there a music scene there, and are you part of it?
I live in a small town just outside of Trenton. It is a little oasis where I regroup and write and rejuvenate in a small cottage I own with a beautiful veranda out back. It is not really a town with a big music scene. But there is so much within a half an hour for me in terms of music, venues and nightlife. So, it’s perfect for me as a writer and performer.
How does ‘Vandals, Thieves & Lovers’ compare to your 2022 debut album, ‘Jump in!?’ How is it similar and how is it different?
‘Vandals, Thieves & Lovers’ is the next step in my evolution as a writer and performer. It is a bit more organic than my previous albums in terms of instrumentation, as I wanted to capture a more rootsy, Americana sound, which I feel is what I do. The songs I write all begin with my vocal and an acoustic guitar. We actually tracked those elements first, and built the rest of the instrumentation around them. The songs on this album are story songs with hooks. I like to think both of those elements are prevalent throughout the collection of songs.
Lisa, right, is pictured with great Americana singer-songwriter-fiddler Amanda Shires at The Hit Factory in New York City. Amanda is one of several special guests on the all-star album, “Vandals, Thieves and Lovers.” Others include Americana great Larry Campbell, E Street Band saxophonist Jake Clemons, and Lauren Canyon guitar legend Waddy Wachtel. PHOTO BY HAL B. SELZER
You have an incredible all-star line-up on the new album. How were you able to assemble them all?
I am blessed to feature a star-studded cast of players from the Americana music world on the record, such as Larry Campbell, Amanda Shires, Waddy Wachtel, Clay Cook from the Zac Brown Band, Jake Clemons from the E Street Band, Doyle Grisham from Jimmy Buffett’s band, and Tim Carbone from Railroad Earth, among others. From doing so many tours, I’ve met and gotten friendly with a lot of musicians, and the people that produced and engineered the album knew a lot of people as well, and I am thrilled with the passion they brought to the sound. Each track called for certain elements. At our pre-production meetings, my team and I would discuss what we had in mind for particular songs, and then reach out to the musician we thought would add that special element to see if they’d be willing to play on it. Hearing their parts on the songs is wonderful!
There are also a lot of great Jersey musicians who were kind enough to lend their talents to the songs, such as Gary Oleyar, Arlan Feiles, Stephen DeAcutis, Rich Scannella, Everett Bradley, and many others!
Which guest contributions mean the most to you and why?
All of their contributions mean so much to me, and have elevated the sound of the songs so very much. I mean that from my musical heart! A few notable things happened along the way in the process, though, and will always make me smile.
For instance, Amanda Shires flew to New York City, where we tracked her violin parts at The Hit Factory in Manhattan. We kind of brainstormed and creatively figured out what we would do in terms of the violin sounds, and signature parts on the songs. Then Amanda just took off and played so beautifully. On one song, ‘Skeleton Krewe,’ we got a bit crazy in a good way, and Amanda ran the violin through a bunch of effects pedals to get a wild, crazy Jimi Hendrix-style sound on the solo. It was a one-of-a-kind sound. Creative in-studio things like that can only happen when everyone is in the room together!
Did you get to record with any of the others in person? If so, who and where?
Many musicians these days work remotely from Nashville, Los Angeles, etc., so most of their contributions were done remotely, although we would talk on the phone and go back and forth on parts.
What was the most important thing you learned from any of the all-stars on your album?
It re-enforced my belief that having your own unique sound is very important. It showed me that with the correct ‘ingredients’ of the best musicians, the record can become bigger than the sum of its parts.
For my money, the most amazing guest on the album is Waddy Watchel, who played on so many of my favorite records. What was your favorite part of working with him?
Oh my God, what a thrill for me! My production team knew I was big fan of Waddy Wachtel’s guitar work. I first discovered Waddy’s playing when I was a kid, listening with my Mom to her Stevie Nick’s albums on vinyl, and I followed him ever since. I would read the liner notes and see his name on there, as well as on other albums. My song ‘Vandal’ on the new record is a haunting, dark, love song in a minor key. My producer thought it would be amazing to have Waddy play slide on that song. He reached out to him through a mutual acquaintance. Waddy checked out the song, dug it, and not only played on the full band track, but played dobro on an acoustic version that we’ve included as a bonus track on the digital release.
I was out for a run when I got a call, saying check your e-mail. I saw an e-mail about a part recorded for the song, and it was signed ‘WW.’ I said, ‘Is that who I think it is?’ It was a total surprise! I heard the parts and they sounded soooo ‘Waddy’ and perfect for the song. I literally started to cry. To a female singer-songwriter such as myself, this gift was better than diamond jewelry!
I later got the chance to have a great phone conversation with Waddy about the song, and to tell him the whole story and talk about the music. Terrific guy, and legendary player! I still can’t get over the fact that he’s on my album!
Have you ever played with Waddy live? If so, when and where, and what was that like?
I have not played a live show with Waddy Wachtel yet, but the album is so newly released and we’re just now planning touring and live shows, so ya’ never know! When we spoke, he said we should get together, so who knows?
Why did you want to cover Southside’s ‘Make This World Stand Still?’
I had been looking for this type of track for a while. Trying to write something like it, asking other writers I work with to try to write something like it … something that captures that classic Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline feel. I always have gotten a great response when I sing Roy Orbison classics, like ‘Blue Bayou,’ so when I came across this song, and it had that vibe, I felt like I literally HAD to record it! I love singing it live too! And there’s actually something new going on with that song, and I’m not at liberty to divulge it yet, but it’s very exciting!
Rather than start the recording of each track with the rhythmic foundation of drums and bass, you started with your acoustic guitar and voice, as you mentioned. How did that process make it easier to play the songs live within a frequent solo setting?
I think this process was key to my being able to easily ‘boil the songs down’ to the way they were written and first created, with just my acoustic guitar and my voice. When I perform them acoustically, they sound very reminiscent of the album version. Hearing them this way allows the listener a look into the key and essential elements of the songs.
When I write, I attach my lyrical meter to the rhythm of the song. They are tied together for me, as if with a ribbon. Tracking the songs in their original meter with the original phrases, and layering everything on top of that allows the song to become larger and more colorful, without compromising the original groove that is integral to the song. The ‘Lisa Groove,’ as me and my band call it.
When you do perform with a band, who is in it, what do they play, and how did you connect with them?
My core members are Dan Neary on lead guitar, who is a familiar face in the Jersey club scene, Hal B. Selzer on bass guitar, and both Joe McGuth and Rich Scannella have been playing drums with me. There are so many great musicians in the Jersey music scene that we often have others join us. And we augment the line up with violin and pedal steel for some live performances.
I just did a show in Nashville at 3rd & Lindsley for a live radio broadcast on the big roots radio station there, WMOT. For that we used a bunch of Nashville musicians. John Eddie had referred a few of them to us, and Doyle Grisham actually came out and played with us as well. We had a blast!
Lisa Bouchelle, pictured, and her band, The Bleu, will perform Sept. 26 at The Wonder Bar opening for Dramarama. PHOTO BY CRISTINA ARRIGONI
Which new songs do you enjoy playing most live and why?
Interesting question … I connect with various different songs on different days. For my current mood today, I’d say I love getting out front without the guitar on ‘Make This World Stand Still.’ That feels classically amazing. I like dancing around and getting the audience going on ‘Wild Again,’ which is our little tribute to Sly Stone, and which Jake Clemons added some smokin’ sax to. I love jammin' on guitar on ‘Retro Sister,’ and I like sitting down solo and playing ‘Sharing Secrets with a Bird,’ which is like a musical diary entry for me.
Another fun part of the live band shows is the unique instrumentation we like to do on some of the songs. We include ‘moments’ in the show that feature just a few of us singing harmony with only conga, etc., then we go back launch into a song with the full band. It keeps it really fun and varied.
What inspired the song ‘Vandal’ and why?
‘Vandal’ is a very dark love song, with a daunting, dark, swampy feel. It is the story of a love affair that ends, but forever leaves its mark on your soul, as if the departed love ‘wrote on the walls of your soul.’
Lisa Bouchelle, right, and her producer-bassist-manager Hal B. Selzer at The Factory in New York City recording her latest album, “Vandals, Thieves & Lovers.” PHOTO BY STEPHEN DEACUTIS
How did you meet Hal B. Selzer?
Hal was a music writer and well-known bass guitarist that many artists sent their music to in hopes of being reviewed. He reviewed some of my recordings. He heard something he liked in my songwriting and contacted me about working together to shop some of my music. We have worked together on touring, my TV show ‘Rock Star Kitchen,’ and he has played bass on a lot of my music, and lately we’ve been co-writing. I love his bass playing and his gift for arranging music. He also has the unique gift for seeing the perspective of the artist and the music business frame of mind at the same time, so he knows how to really tie these elements together and bring these sometimes disparate situations together.
What have you enjoyed most about working with Hal for so many years?
His creativity, his honesty, his high-intelligence, his vision, his mentoring, his loyalty and patience and belief in me, all in a business where that is difficult to find. And it’s amazing to have a world-class bass player I can call on! And he’s an Eagles football fan like me, so there’s that too (laughs)!
Are you and Hal just business associates and band mates or friends or more?
Our relationship began as just business associates, but I must say Hal has become a trusted friend over the time we’ve worked together. As one of our mutual co-workers/friends once said about Hal: ‘It’d be hard not to like the guy.’ He’s a gem amongst rubble.
If not Hal, does your busy music schedule allow you time to have a boyfriend?
I am dating. It’s not the easiest thing to do, but this time it seems to be going pretty well. I have dated people both in the music business and some outside the music business. Those outside the business sometimes have a hard time understanding the business’ all-encompassing nature. But I always make it clear that my career is my priority!
Is your show at the Wonder Bar opening for Dramarama your record release party?
It’s not formally my record release party, though technically it’s the first full band show since the album dropped on Sept. 4. I am super stoked for the show. I love the Wonder Bar, and I am also a fan of Dramarama, so it’s gonna be a blast! We will have all the ‘Vandals, Thieves and Lovers’ merchandise at the show, so visit us as the merch table to say 'Hi' and perhaps snap a pic and get something signed. We will have vinyl, CDs, T-shirts, posters, stickers, guitar picks and more.
Will any of the album’s special guests play with you at the Wonder Bar or anywhere else you’re playing soon?
The Wonder Bar show will be with the core members, but there will be other dates announced soon. It’s likely we’ll have a guest or two on some of those shows. I will post all that exciting info as soon as it’s confirmed
Besides Wonder Bar, when and where are you performing?
We are in the planning stages for a solo and band tour, as well as more local shows. As soon as that’s all confirmed we will post it right away so fans will know! Very excited to play live. It’s my favorite thing to do!
In August, I did a radio tour up through New England and down to Tennessee, and there is another one planned for early October, that in addition to playing at radio stations includes a live performance on a PBS syndicated show.
Are you still hosting ‘Rock Star Kitchen’? If so, when does it air and where?
‘Rock Star Kitchen’ is temporarily off the air as we plan to bring it back bigger and better soon and are talking to some networks now in our spare time (laughs). It’s all been quite the busy year! We’ve had serious discussions with several cable networks, but nothing to announce at the moment. Can’t wait to get back to cookin’ and jammin’ on TV with my favorite rock stars by my side!
Is there anything I didn’t ask on which you would like to comment?
The website is lisabouchelle.com. Folks can access all social media links from there, as well as all of the streaming services where you can find my music such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and the rest. The website also lists all the current and future shows and will soon have tour dates listed. We have some photos and music videos there as well, but you can see a lot of music videos on my YouTube channel. We also have a groovy merch page where people can buy all things ‘Lisa Bouchelle,’ and they can also join the mailing list there or even request info on their own house concert!
Lastly, THANK YOU for all that you have done for me and the Jersey music scene!
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and Instagram and contact Bob at [email protected].
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