An update to my bio – I do have a story I do have a profound moment in my life that warrants written documentation, and this is why this blog has been revised.

I lost my husband to suicide in February 2023.  The grief was immense, or should I say the grief is still immense at times.   I ride out many waves over a year later.   I have found writing and music an outlet for that grief.  Music was the focus of this blog  but for now we switch gears.

Today I am a widow and I am trying to redefine myself.  I am still a lover of sound, connoisseur of notes, fanatic of tune, a music enthusiast.  However, there are days I am consumed by grief and silencing my own thoughts occupy my time.  My intent here is to put my thoughts to word for my healing and for others to understand.

Lisa O.

Bio (pre 2023)

I don’t have a story, I don’t have a profound moment or time in my life that warrants any sort of written documentation., I am a lover of sound, connoisseur of notes, fanatic of tune, a music enthusiast. I have no credentials and very limited industry experience (I managed a record store in my early twenties and had a stint as a junior photographer/reporter for a local paper), but I have music heart. Music is my politics, I lean left and I’m informed enough to make a conscientious vote.

Music is a part of me, it’s an appendage I would have phantom feelings for if it was suddenly lobbed off by a chainsaw. I do not create music, I don’t even know the difference between pitch and tone, not sure what a refrain is although I can pick out a chorus. What I do know is my personal connection.

I live my life surrounded by sound and every sound I hear can become a beat, and with that beat a lyric can be added and a song is born. My connection goes beyond a head bop to a top 40 song on the radio. I will chair dance to anything with a groove, but my ultimate test of a song is the ability to drive to it, a great song will make me speed.

In my life I was born Lisa, to an English immigrant and gazillonth generation Canadian. The music they brought to me at a young age was typical, my mother was a full-on British Invasion screamer…she was even a “groupie” to a 60’s Ottawa based band, The Staccatos (who later became The Five Man Electrical Band). It was no wonder she fell for the new guy in town, the Yorkshireman. Little did she know that his allegiances lay with The Brothers Gibb.

Music in my life isn’t strictly about listening. Having been a pop-culture junkie from a young age I have found it pays to be in-the-know. I need to know more – about the song, the lyrics, the band, their origins, influences, where they were born, what they ate for dinner last Tuesday. I need to be able to impress Jeff Probst on Rock ‘n Roll Jeopardy someday. *sigh* Why is that not on the air? *sigh*