Photo by Justine Ungaro
We got to talk with singer-songwriter and actress Lisa Loeb before she comes to Nashville this weekend. She continues to amaze with a host of philanthropic and creative projects.
Nashville Lifestyles (NL): You're best known as a singer/songwriter, but you've got a lot of other creative projects. Tell us about some.
Lisa Loeb (LL): I have a new-ish album called No Fairy Tale, which is a punky/poppy/rock album I made with Chad Gilbert from New Found Glory. I also have a handful of kids albums and illustrated books, mostly inspired by my wonderful time at summer camp growing up and the music I loved singing there. Outside of those music projects, I have an eyewear line, Lisa Loeb Eyewear, inspired by my own glasses and a kids musical in the words, based on my kids Camp records.
NL: You also created the Camp Lisa Foundation, what's that all about?
LL: I originally thought I could share my love of summer camp with other people through the Camp Lisa album, but then realized the best way to share summer camp is to send kids to camp, so I connected with SCOPE, an organization in NYC which sends kids to awesome camps in the United Statesmostly on the East Coast.
I decided to start the Camp Lisa Foundation to donate all proceeds of the Camp Lisa record as well as my signature "Wake Up" coffee bean blend available through Coffee Fool, to actually send kids to camp! Camp can help a kid's self esteem, teach them to be a part of a community, a strong individual, a great leader. It can help kids try things they haven't tried before, all in a safe space, usually while spending some time outside. It can make an impact on the child and their entire future and how they relate to themselves and others. Camp is also just really fun.
NL: Do your kids (Lyla and Emet) show an interest in following in your musical footsteps?
LL: Lyla loves singing and making up songs, Emet loves playing drums, and they both love music, songs, singing, watching and playing music. I bet music will always play a central role in their lives.
NL: You've got a multi-city concert tour this spring and summer what can people look forward to at these shows?
LL: I always play a selection of my newest songs, but also ground the set in songs from my catalogue, and always make sure to play the top requested songs. I take requests at shows too, and tell lots of stories. The show is very interactive.
NL: You're playing in town June 14. Anything you're excited to do/see while you're in Nashville?
LL: I will eat a lot, I will visit some friend's studios, and I hope to write some music with some of my songwriter friends while I'm there too.
Most well known for her 1994 smash, "Stay (I Missed You)," Loeb will be performing at the Pride Festival in Public Square Park on Saturday, June 14.