We sat down with New York-based singer Lisa Ramey, who shared a stunning single ‘Hopeless’ earlier this year independently via Lisa Ramey Music. Known for her powerful performances and raw sound, gained national recognition as a top 24 finalist on The Voice Season 19 as part of Team John Legend. Her debut album Surrender was a breakout success, landing at #34 on Good Morning America’s Top 50 Albums of 2020. Produced by Grammy-nominated Joe Capo Kent, the album showcases her dynamic blend of pop, rock, and R&B influences, drawing comparisons to artists like SZA, Mary J. Blige, Keehlani and Alicia Keys. Lisa’s career includes high-profile collaborations with John Legend, Camila Cabello, and Common, and performances at major events like Global Citizen’s Together at Home concert and the Metronome Festival in Prague. With support from publications like NOTION Magazine and features on platforms like Apple’s New Music Daily and Spotify Editorial Playlists, Lisa continues to rise as a unique and electrifying talent in the music industry.
Read our interview with Lisa and watch the stunning visualiser for ‘Hopeless’ below.
Set the tone for us. Why the arts?
Expression. Believe it or not I am super quiet. The arts brought me out of the land of quiet and into a world I couldn’t live without. I was homeschooled K-12th grade so the arts brought new friends and social opportunities to me. I felt comfortable expressing myself through dancing, music, musical theater, piano lessons and voice lessons. The arts helped me find my voice.
Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?
The sound. The music tells me what to do next. Once we have the melody or sound everything falls into place.
Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.
I believe my super power is performing live in front of an audience. I grew up doing it. My favorite part of performing live is grabbing my crowd’s attention from the second I sing my first note by letting them know I’m in control and we are about to go on an awesome journey together. I’ve got you. Sit back, relax and lets have some fun together.
What techniques do you experiment with to get your original sound?
Not much experimenting needed to happen. I just commit to being my 100% authentic self and whatever comes out I stick with.
Take us through a day in the recording studio.
I’m a minimalist. I’ll have my engineer, myself and producer in the studio. When we need musicians to play on a track, I bring them in one by one. When they finish recording, I pay them and they leave so we three can continue cooking up some music. My process is to spend as much time outside of the studio to create and finish the full song before going in to record. For me, studio time is where the producer brings out the magic of a finished song. Then we all go downstairs to one of my favorite restaurants in St. Louis to celebrate!
Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “this is what I want to do”?
When I was 8 years old in tap class learning my dance choreography. I learned how to shake my hips and I swear to you I thought “this is exactly where I belong”.
What do you keep close by while you’re playing a set?
Vodka and water.
Any emerging artists on your radar?
Mk.Gee, Black Pumas, Liz Vice and Julian King.
What gets your creative juices flowing?
Listening to music. Especially new artists.
Any side projects you’re working on?
BGVs with Zayn Malik.
How have you refined your craft since you entered the industry?
I’ve refined my craft by listening and learning and allowing myself to evolve.
Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?
New music! I have an album ready to record then release!! I’ve given you a taste of what’s to come with my EP Foretaste. It’s time to get back in the studio to record the full length album and start rolling the tracks out for everyone to hear!
Famous last words?
“There’s no crying in baseball” –Tom Hanks, A League of Their Own.
Follow Lisa Ramey:
Website – Instagram – Facebook – X – Soundcloud – Youtube – Spotify
