Today’s interview is with R&B Soul singer/songwriter Lisa Banton. I was exposed to Lisa’s music via myspace (it’s funny I still use that site) and I was blown away. Lisa shares how she feels about vocally resembling Mary J. Blige and her upcoming projects.

I always want to have music that says something and that is relatable. I believe that kind of music will contribute to longevity… I don’t want to let the opinions of others stop me from doing something that I love to do.

- Lisa Banton

Introduce yourself

My name is Lisa Banton, R&B Soul singer/songwriter from Toronto Canada.

How long have you been singing?

The generic answer is all my life, which is true. Growing up with a father who is a singer, music was always part of my life. Singing professionally though, I’d give it about 9 years.

What projects have you released thus far?

Last year I put out my 1st mixtape entitled Mirror Mirror Vol.1. I’m very proud of it. It’s a collection of songs I wrote over Hip – Hop instrumentals over the past couple of years. I decided to compile them and let the world hear what I do.

Who are your influences/What inspires you to create music?

Musically, there are so many influences both new and old. Growing up it was 90′s R&B that had the most influence on the kind of artist I consider myself to be. Artists like Swv, Brandy, Monica. Then you have Faith Evans, Kelly Price and Mary J. Blige, artists that gave you music that you can feel. Just to name very few. Creatively, it’s life and love that inspires me. The majority of my music is relationship based so I pull from all kinds of experiences whether it’s my own or someone else, good and bad.

Many people has said your voice sound too much like Mary J. Blige, how does that make you feel as an artists that’s trying to establish and build a brand for yourself?

Being that Mary J. Blige was a major influence to me vocally, to get the comparison doesn’t necessarily bother me. It’s a compliment. I can’t really be mad when people compare me to an artist that I loved growing up. I am trying to make a name for myself as a R&B artist but my voice is what it is and I can’t really do too much about what people say. I try not worry too much about it.

What are your thoughts on opinions like, “You will never making in this industry because you sound like her.”?

At times it’s really made me wonder about my chances of making it. However, when I think back about artists that have come out in the past and were compared to other artists, a lot of them are still around and are doing well. As time went by, their own voice was heard and the comparison faded. I can only hope that in the event that I’m lucky enough to be heard by a wider audience, that the same would happen for me. I don’t want to let the opinions of others stop me from doing something that I love to do.

What is the creative process when creating a song?

I guess it kind of differs from song to song. I carry a pen and book with me most places I go so I can usually create a song anywhere. There are the random times where I’m on the train or bus and I’m just writing away. It can be really easy to zone out at times. Then there are times where I shut everything down and really focus on getting a song complete, trying to eliminate any distractions.

What do you want to get across with your music?

It is really important to me to have music that people can feel. Growing up, I loved listening to music that made me feel something. Whether it was sadness, happiness, anger whatever. Unfortunately, a lot of today’s music lacks that emotion. These days, I can finish listening to a song and not even know what the song was about. If I don’t know what the song was about, I’m definitely not gonna feel anything. I always want to have music that says something and that is relatable. I believe that kind of music will contribute to longevity.

Are you currently working on any projects? If so, what are they?

Right now, I am currently working on a soundtrack for a book written by a local author named Stacey Marie Robinson. I’ve done a lot of writing on this project along with a couple other very talented local artists. It should be coming out some time this year and I’m excited about the amount of original music people will get to hear from me. So stay tuned.

What’s next for you?

With the release of my mixtape a lot of people have gotten a chance to hear what I can do as a singer and also a writer. I’m working on a couple things with artists outside of where I’m located which is exciting. I’m still writing to industry beats and putting those songs out there so another mixtape may be dropping sometime this year. Getting original music out has been a major goal for me so I’ve been working towards that and things are looking good for 2010!

Any last words?

Just wanna take this time to thank anyone who’s ever listened to my music and who will after reading. I also want to thank you for giving me a spot to let people know a little more about me and what I do. I appreciate that very much.