Lisa Spykers is a blues and roots singer, keyboardist and guitarist who regularly performs her original songs at cafés, bars, pubs and private functions in and around Melbourne, Australia
She will be in KL performing at SIKITATAS.COM Restaurant and Bar on 14th April 2015 at 7.30pm
In her Bio When asked how did she start?
I started piano lessons when I was 7 years old. I went down the classical route, as that was what was available to me growing up on a farm in rural Victoria. I loved playing the piano -- it was my 'thing' and what I identified myself with, trying as a child to stand out and be unique. Ha. I worked hard at it though and from high school I went on to study at The University of Melbourne and complete a Bachelor of Music Degree.
However, I discovered my heart really wasn't in being a concert pianist. I also liked the idea of working with kids; they make you laugh and smile. I want to do as much of that as I can, so I became a piano teacher. I also taught guitar, singing, songwriting, and school of rock type stuff to the youth. It's a great way of spending your time on this strange planet and I get paid for it too. Bonus.
Unlike many singers who started at a young age, I am a so-called ‘late’ bloomer. In 2005, I decided to travel the USA in search of as many experiences to see live music as possible. As you can imagine, this was quite an easy thing for me to do: in 6 weeks, I saw over 40 gigs. I returned to Australia, opened my mouth and a soul voice emerged. My keyboard teacher at the time (Mr. Tim Neal – the man is an incredible Hammond organ player) was ‘whoa!’ with surprise & encouraged me to get out there. So I did. 3 months later, I was accompanying myself on the piano and singing blues and gospel, starting with a gig in a wee café called WB Gadd in Avenel, Victoria.
I sang jazz and blues covers for awhile, floating between a couple of groups, and doing the bars and private functions thing. It was fun but it wasn't quite where I wanted to be. In 2008, I decided to travel again. This time for nearly 4 months, on my own, through West, East and South Africa. I made it to 10 countries. Coincidentally or not, I penned 10 songs in my first month home. It was a really tough trip and the songs poured out. First time I ever wrote my own songs too. I was pretty pleased.
In 2010, I met Linc Yow Yeh and we collaborated on some original tunes and beautiful soulful harmonies. The guy is like an Aussie Otis Redding and an awesome guitarist and drummer too. We started performing gigs around Melbourne town and in 2012, we made our debut at Folk, Rhythm and Life Festival. It was sweet.
I travel a lot. I haven’t counted lately, but I know it’s over 40 countries now. I’m addicted to it. Not as bad as my coffee addiction was, but I go every year, sometimes for up to 3 months at a time. I try to find local musos to have jams with while I’m hanging out in a place. I’ve been fortunate to get up on stage as a guest vocalist or do my own gigs in the USA, and countries in South America, Africa, Europe and Asia. My goal is now to sing on every continent. Someone please book me for Antarctica.
I've been to the USA another two times since, and my last trip (July 2013) inspired me to go 'Lisa Spykers solo'. Why? Because it’s harder. Because it pushes me to do more work. Because I want to develop both my guitar and keyboard skills. Because I want to travel. Because I’m ready.
So now I am a travelling musician: booking gigs in bars, cafes and pubs and busking. It's tough to make the dough -- sometimes it feels like a hustle, but boy it's an exciting life! I meet so many people each week, I have fabulous new friends, I'm experiencing new cultures and things all the time & I'm LIVING LIFE THE WAY I WANT TO! Ain't it grand?
Catch her live tonight in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
