Lissie, emerging from the laundry clothesline; photographed by Lili Peper.

Over the course of the past decade, Lissie has valiantly risen to the illustrious heightened prominence as one of the singular spirits of the mystic North American heartland. From the quilted farmlands, valleys and fields of the Midwest; the Iowan homestead-chic artist makes triumphant hymns that survey our whole wide world as a vast stretch of farms, peaks, rivers, ranches, townships, forests and friendly cities. An organic, ethereal, earnest and commanding presence like a Stevie Nicks-esque bohemian raised on the range — the art of Lissie’s work is in the keen ability to transform the hectic world that we know into a quaint global village surrounded by the roaring splendor of the natural realm. A delivery that awakens the weary and dormant sprite from within and strums the electric chords and strings of the heart, Lissie’s songs make a lonely roadhouse dive sound like a magnificent amphitheater or a Royal Albert Hall sound like a humble wooded cantina outpost in the middle of Nowheresville, USA.

Continuing in this tradition is the new album of conflicts, care, quandaries and catharsis titled Carving Canyons. A record developed in Nashville with fellow femme luminaries such as Sarah Buxton, Madi Diaz, Natalie Hemby, Bre Kennedy, Morgan Nagler, Kate York and production by Curt Schneider; Lissie delivers a rugged, raw and righteous epic of love, loss, healing and the limitless prowess of perseverance. Crashing like a bright burning star beyond the shimmering pale of wild wests and moving beyond life’s wreckages stands “Unravel”, a testament to what happens when things fall apart and what happens next. “Sad” plays out like the shadow plays from tear-stricken journal entries in the maelstrom of a break-up, surveying the tumultuous feelings with an unrelenting honesty that honors the experiences of all involved parties. Few artists understand the power of penning the perfect anthem like Lissie, as witnessed at work on the fierce laser Icarus focused “Chasing the Sun”, to classic country cowgirl empty bottle odes like “Lonely Wine”, to the brilliant sophisticated honky-tonk nouveau “Night Moves” that is less Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and more like something that could have been a major hit by Fleetwood Mac.

The bold botanical beauty of “Flowers” exhibits big pop overtures, extoling the importance of giving one’s self space and grace to feel all the feels in the wake of pain and coping with the hurt, while the title track continues to trace the growth that blooms after the fiery flames of a romantic fallout. The message time and time again on Carving Canyons is that it is okay not to feel okay, as expressed on the heartbreaking aches of “I Hate This”, allowing the spirit to seek an untethered place of amorous enlightenment as heard on “Unlock the Chains”, to the ignited passions of “Hearts on Fire” that emanates like a modern country rock Mojave desert campfire. Vintage Grand Ole Opry balladeering can be heard echoing on the galloping motifs of floral fancies on “Yellow Roses”, as our heroine rides off into the sunset of a moonless night on the closer “Midnight” that boards a train to anywhere. Lissie artfully presents the transformative chances for new beginnings where anything in the entire universe feels possible in a rustic world that feels both grandiose yet humble and small all at once. Following the jump, Week in Pop is proud to present the world according to Lissie:

The expansive universes of Lissie

Volunteer plants

Lissie’s gardens; courtesy of the artist.

I am an avid gardener and few things bring me as much joy as volunteer plants. Over the years, I have primarily planted seeds and seedlings from heirloom varieties. It seems like a no-brainer, but the seeds that the plants produce that fall or blow in the wind will pop up in unexpected places the following year(s), re-seeding themselves.

The more years that pass, the more beautiful surprises I discover. I say it’s a no- brainer because, although my online research is a bit spotty, most genetically modified plants don’t yield more food and flowers. I like to support places like Seed Savers Exchange here in Northeast Iowa because they plant, grow and collect seeds from thousands of varieties of heirlooms that would otherwise go extinct. Food and flowers create more food and flowers!

Just this year, my natural lawn is filled with sunflowers that I didn’t plant and patches of my garden floor and beds with lettuce, cilantro, dill and tomatoes that have re-seeded themselves over the years. Living in a place where the winters can be pretty brutal, it’s such a sign of hope to see what’s been invisible underground bursting forth with life.

Norway

Since 2010, I have been traveling to Norway to perform. It is such a naturally beautiful country, the people are down to Earth and kind and the quality of life is astounding!

I feel so fortunate that my song “When I’m Alone” did well there and has led to me playing the Oslo Opera House, festivals on fjords where we’d swim, taking helicopters to shows, flying over the mountains and waters and more.

Fjords and swim sessions with Lissie; press photo courtesy of the artist.

I have made some wonderful friends, done some fishing, enjoyed the midnight sun and the winter’s darkness.

I am looking forward to returning this fall for more shows. It has really changed and grown in the past decade but I absolutely love and am grateful for my time there!

Boat concerts in Norwegian fjords; courtesy of Lissie.

Re-watching TV shows

Lissie in the land of the midnight sun; courtesy of the artist.

I am a big fan of re-watching the same handful of feel good shows and comedies. I read somewhere that knowing a show so well that its characters feel familiar and knowing what’s going to happen is a form of self soothing and can help anxiety.

Harborside escapes with Lissie; courtesy of the artist.

Some of my go-to’s haven't aged as well as others but Gilmore Girls, Friends and The Office are in a constant rotation. On in the background or when I’m driving, as neurotic as it sounds, it’s incredibly comforting. Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, Happy Place and Schitts Creek are also good ones!

Aerial views of serenity; courtesy of Lissie.

Smoothies (and French Press)

Bronze tiger photo opps in Oslo; courtesy of Lissie.

Self care often eludes me but there’s something to be said for the smoothie. When I’m home, I can tell a big difference in how I feel vs. when I’m on the road and don’t have access. I’d like to share my recipe with anyone that might be interested. It’s especially fun in the summertime when I can add ingredients that I have grown myself in the garden.

Nordic mountain vistas; courtesy of Lissie.

I’ll buy a bunch of bananas and peel, halve and freeze them so that I always have some on hand. When I wake up feeling the effects of a night of red wine, a couple of cups of coffee and a smoothie later, I’m ready to go! I heat water up in an electric kettle, grind coffee beans and rely on a French press. It tastes better than a machine and also keeps me from drinking too much and getting jittery.

Rocky mountain highs; courtesy of Lissie.

Smoothie

1/2 frozen banana

small handful of frozen berries (or other fruit)

1/4 cup of drinkable yogurt like kefir with those good probiotics

1-2 stalks of celery

a generous handful of lettuce or spinach

1 carrot peeled

a scoop of protein powder of choice

1 tbsp peanut butter

1/2 - 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk

sometimes I add an apple, parsley, cucumber…anything that’s fresh and suits your taste.

The sweet stuff really offsets the vegetables and it’s a quick and yummy way to get your vitamins, protein and fiber.

The song “Steppin’ Out” by Joe Jackson

I was recently in the grocery store and heard this song again after having not heard it in forever. I don’t think I ever even knew who sang it but would get it stuck in my head sometimes and could never find it. I used my phone to identify it and now it’s my jam. I feel like I don’t listen to as much music as I used to but when I find a song that makes me feel all good inside, I will just put it on repeat. For me, this is the latest song to make me groove.

Grazing the fields of Europe; courtesy of Lissie.

Lissie’s Carving Canyons arrives September 16 via Lionboy Records.

Le monde de Lissie