‘Mic Check’ Interview with Connie Lansberg
We sat down with Connnie from Connie and The Band to chat all things music!
Can you tell us a bit about your performance background and how you got started in the industry?
I started as an actor, training professionally at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in England and did a lot of theatre in England, but the call of music and song-writing took over.
What has been your biggest career highlight so far, and why was it significant for you?
It started with my recording of the jazz standard Devil May Care getting on the largest official Spotify playlist and then my original song Better Things. And now, having released over thirty recordings to Spotify, and being added to over 8,000 playlists, I am now the highest streamed jazz artist in Australia. I was not expecting that kind of support and it proved to me that outside of Australia, the kind of music I was doing was popular.
How do you approach your creative process, from ideation to completion?
I practice every day (mostly) and I write a song a week in between writing my books. I write novels in the morning, songs in the afternoon, and practice in the evening. I have discovered discipline is the precursor to inspiration. When you make a commitment to do the work, the ideas flow non-stop!
How do you stay motivated and inspired to create and develop new work?
I don’t find anything more fun than writing and performing so, I don’t need motivation. I decided a while ago to just keep making things no matter what. If a huge opportunity came my way, I’d be more than ready, because I know I could deliver whatever was needed.
Can you tell us about a collaboration or project that you've worked on that was particularly memorable or influential?
Everything I do is a collaboration. I write the book, but the editor helps to make it great. I write a song, but my pianist takes it and ads his spin. I’m the starting point and then I love just seeing what happens when I open it up to others.
How has the Australian Arts industry changed since you first started, and what changes do you anticipate in the future?
There are far less live gigs. Melbourne is so obsessed with food that they have forgotten how lovely it is to have beautiful music played live in their restaurants. Also, the money hasn’t moved. It never goes up. Being a gigging jazz singer can be tough which is why I like to put on my own gigs as much as I can.
How do you balance the creative and business sides of the performance industry, and what strategies have worked best for you?
Admittedly, the business side is far more difficult, but I made myself learn to use Facebook ads and I have developed a way to get people onto a mailing-list. Selling things is harder and after I reach my goals of a years’ worth of new songs and my third book in fnal-draft, I will turn my attention to the selling. This is where a manager would come in handy!
What advice would you give to aspiring artists looking to break out?
Make sure whatever you do is done because you feel you deserve it and not from a place of lack. No why you’re doing it, why you want it and then meet people. Go see other bands, talk to other musicians. Go to jams, be a good person, and make sure you have some real talent.
Can you talk about a project or album that you're currently working on and what we can expect from it?
I’m in the studio at the moment doing the vocals of six new songs, and making my first audio book of the first book in my fantasy trilogy. The new songs are story based and go further into the crossing genres with great jazz musicians. I’m pitching Waltzes and Ghost Stories to the Arts Centre for 2023. I think if you mix Stephen Sondheim with Katie Noonan and Joni Mitchell you’re getting close!