Artist Talk with Michaela Lombardi

I promised in my last article that this interview was to come. This is the first time I have done an entire article focusing on my interview with an artist, but I felt that this vocalist deserved her own moment in the spotlight, without any reviews to take away from the actual interview.

I was introduced to the vocals of Michaela Lombardi at the Billy Holiday Tribute concert I reviewed in my last article. Her voice was amazingly captivating, and she definitely did Billy Holiday justice, so I figured I would try to conduct an interview to see just how she got started. As a singer, I am always interested in the stories of others, especially vocalists that I can quickly look up to for their immense talent.

When asked how she got started singing, Lombardi replied, “Mom, I guess! I grew up hearing her sing while working in the kitchen of our restaurant. Ever since I was a child, listening to music and singing always meant life and joy to me, so when I was 14 I decided to join my first rock’n’roll band.”

I found it so interesting that joining a band would be a 14-year-old’s first reaction to loving music. It is almost admirable that at that age she had that much spunk and sass to pick up and start a live-music career.

“I was raised on folk, country, rock, blues, soul and jazz: Suzanne Vega, Sheryl Crow, Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, Aretha Franklin, Carmen McRae…they’re all American artists,” she said.

“I adore melodies (I live in the land of Puccini!), and I believe that true joy is made of harmony, storytelling, generosity, wisdom and humour,” said Lombardi when I inquired about her musical and personal influences in life.

“I love poetry and philosophy, as well. I double majored in philosophy and jazz composition in college, so my influences are greatly intertwined with my studies. Definitely too many influences!” she said. “In my personal life of course my family influences me majorly. Musically however, Wittgenstein, Ella Fitzgerald, Tori Amos, Fred Astaire, Noa, Joni Mitchell…And the list goes on.”

I have asked this question many times in an interview and never have I gotten a response including the influences of things intangible, such as philosophy or composition. It is easy to see just how intellectual Lombardi is, which is why, I think, this interview was so enlightening for me both as a journalist, and a singer myself.

I questioned Lombardi on her preparation when it comes to do a tribute concert, especially one that is not in her native language, such as the Billie Holiday concert.

“To me, a tribute concert (unless you’re part of a cover band so you’re supposed to look and sound like the original artist) means trying to find out how something that was written or performed by someone else can match your personal sensibility, meshing the two together. I focus on the lyrics and the music. Nothing else. Otherwise, how could I work on a tribute to Lady Day and a tribute to Madonna at the same time?” she said.

“I couldn’t conceive singing something I don’t understand fully and deeply: I think of myself as of a storyteller, so I must know all the songs I sing by heart,” said Lombardi regarding singing songs that are not in Italian (her native language).

I asked if she simply learned the songs by ear, or if she truly researched their significances. “Not only must I know their words, but their meaning as well. I actually choose to sing only the songs I really love, and if I love them it’s because their meaning touched my heart,” she said.

Of course, I had to ask who her favorite artist was just out of sheer curiosity. Lombardi supplied me with the simple answer, “What would great vocalists be if there were no great songwriters?”

Such a simple answer really made me think as an artist myself, just how right she was.

I asked Lombardi if she ever performed in the U.S. and I got an answer that shocked me:

“Not yet, although I have had a pop record on the Billboard’s Charts 12 years ago,” she said. “As of now I’ve only been to the states once in 2010, but things are likely to change very soon.”

Throughout our entire interview and meeting process, I never knew that she had a record on the Billboard Charts. It just goes to show how modesty goes a long was an artist, and that this woman who already has a fully-developed career will take the time to do an interview with a college student for an article published in another country.

I feel that Italian musicians have a much different outlook on music and life in general than some back in America. From the people I have talked to, especially Lombardi, I see that music is more a form of expression and life in Italy. Fame is not the most important aspect of “making it” in the industry here, having their voices heard is.

I want to thank Michaela Lombardi for being the most insightful artist I have ever interviewed, and helping me gain a new perspective on the industry and music in general.