By Lisa Theunissen (Just the Driver of Ideas)
For quite some time, I’ve been waiting for the right moment to relaunch my Singer-Songwriter website. I really wanted it to be a professional showcase for senior A&R scouts and to check out what music, gigs, and spark I have to make it. As well as keep my fans up-to-speed.
So firstly I tapped into Google, ..red medieval dress.. and found a brilliant fashion designer who makes medieval wedding dresses (www.uptight-clothing.co.uk). Janice agreed to me modelling the dress in exchange for exclusive use of the photo..s and credits and links on my site.
The next part of the plan was to find a venue that had rich and vibrant tones to accentuate the colour of the dress and of course it had to have a grand piano! But I already had just the place in mind..One of my mates got married at Northcote House in Sunningdale (www.verve-venues.com/pleasure/venues/index.php?venue=32), which is a Grade II listed neo-Georgian mansion..and has a stunning, oak grand piano. The venue organisers were brilliant and gave me an afternoon to have full use of this amazing room, which has the ambience of Rome, for my photoshoot by Rob Wilkinson (www.robertwilkinson.co.uk). Rob..s portfolio includes Gordon Ramsay and Vogue, so I trusted that he would capture the essence of what I was trying to achieve.
The last part of the project was to go behind the scenes to create ..a little something special… It needed to have longevity and the right message to all industry executives. As well as, providing a user-friendly and informative site to keep my fans coming back.
Originally, I had the idea of a website that looked like a newspaper, so all the parts of the newspaper that were about me would be in red (matching the red dress!). But that just didn..t work, so instead I decided on the music manuscript paper with the curly writing..the subtle star effects..eventually producing a classical, soulful, magical look .. which ultimately compliments my music..and neatly ties in with ..HerStory… The geniuses that brought the site to life are Web Designer, Dave Ellwood (www.pinkchimp.com) and Web Developer, Alan McCann (www.alanmccann.co.uk). They spent hours and hours and hours of working through my endless, ping-pong emails of requirements and I am very honoured to have worked with them!
Of course, all this in hand was great but I needed content..like dates of gigs in the right places and music that was properly produced, especially if I was selling, it HAD to be a valued product. So..Tony Moore, who used to run the Kashmir Klub, booked me in at his new venue, The Bedford in Balham (www.thebedford.co.uk). To play here is a privilege, and I am very, very, VERY grateful..as it..s just incredible! And..that then helped me book a few new spots.
Whilst all this organising and planning took place, I was making new tracks with Thomas Gray (www.thomasgray.com) who is the son of Nigel Gray, producer of Sting..s album .. how fab is that?! Thomas breathed life into my songs, by not overcomplicating the production so that each song had space to be absorbed by the listener.
After investing every possible minute, let alone penny, I was ready to go full steam ahead.. the response was immense..and my fanbase and giglist just keeps growing. Now I have the support and determination to go out there and be signed as a successful Singer-Songwriter, which of course is my intention 🙂
Without HerTeam Miss T would not be here. All we need is a record/publishing deal now….
no sweat!
Keep the faith rolling….
LT
XXX
A MASSIVE Thanks to HerTeam…
Designer
Janice, Uptight Clothing – www.uptight-clothing.co.uk
Location for Photoshoot
Northcote House – www.verve-venues.com/pleasure/venues/index.php?venue=32
Photographer
Rob Wilkinson – www.robertwilkinson.co.uk
Music Production
Thomas Gray – tom@thomasgray.com
Produced ..Sweep Me Off My Feet.., ..HerStory.., ..If Only.. and ..Moving On..
Web Design
Dave Ellwood – www.pinkchimp.com
Web Development
Alan McCann – www.alanmccann.co.uk
Venue
Tony Moore from The Bedford in Balham – www.thebedford.co.uk
Also thanks to…
Music Production
Chris Nicolaides – axiamusic@yahoo.com
Produced ..Tell Me How To Love.., ..Gonna Make This Right.. and ..Funk Down..
Photographer for Live Performances
Alvaro Mari Thompson – www.haushinka.org
Someone who Pointed Miss T in the Right Direction
John Waller, Manager of the Storys and David Saw
Teacher with a Vision
Nikki Lamborn from Never the Bride – neverthebride.com
***HerNews***
Lisa Theunissen has been entered into the Digital Music Awards 2006 for The People’s Choice, Best Music Website – click on the link, vote and then please tell all your friends, family, connections, etc….www.btyahoo.com/dma06/peoples_choice_vote?web=849 🙂
HerShow
Songbird Showcase (Globe Theatre), 19th November 2006 @ 8pm
Tel: 020 8682 8940
Address: 77 Bedford Hill, Balham, London, SW12 9HD
Map: www.thebedford.co.uk
Diversity Showcase at Turnmills, 30th November 2006 @ 9pm
Address: 63b Clerkenwell Road, Farringdon, London EC1
Map: www.turnmills.com/directions.htm
The Bedford (Globe Theatre), 29th January 2007 @ 9pm
*** NOT TO BE MISSED! ***
Tel: 020 8682 8940
Address: 77 Bedford Hill, Balham, London, SW12 9HD
Map: www.thebedford.co.uk
www.lisatheunissen.com is just about HerStory, Lisa Theunissen a wonderful Singer-Songwriter. The songs speak for themselves but it is whatever you interpret and how you relate to it, as to what you believe HerStory really is .. and, that..s music right???! So revel in it, lose yourself through it, misunderstand it or ride with it..
Kind regards
The MasterMinds of Creation
HerTeam