Lonnie Fisher released a new album “Floating Palace” on August 9. This is the follow-up to albums “John Brown Karmageddon” and “Beautiful Star” both released in 2023.
Fisher’s Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/artist/2VClRDJzSEBRnZzD4DRy0b?si=3ALr-kC1SLemdnn4-Le3zg) bio states:
“Lonnie Fisher has been hiding in the Land of Oz for years, slinging a unique 5-string guitar with no G string. His voice is a blend of Roy Orbison, David Bowie, Peter Murphy, and Buddy Holly, while his songs cast spells of Roots, Rock, Goth, Punk, Alt Country, Americana, and Indie Pop. Lonnie has a remarkable life story: singing opera and playing baseball in college, losing girlfriends in tragic circumstances, and surviving two strokes to finally find sobriety, his songs capture the essence of a life full of surprises. Kill Yourself or I Will became a song he is well-known for. Lonnie’s live performances will mesmerize you with his catchy melodies and heartfelt emotions. No longer restrained to Kansas because of the wonders of the intertubes, his music can easily be imagined in television and movies through stories of loss, hope, wonder, and redemption.
Lonnie came to Lawrence, KS (LFK) by way of many small towns back in the 90's. It was there that Sturgeon Mill was born, then later, Lonnie Fisher and the Funeral. He now performs as a solo artist, based out of the Kansas City area, with some surprising live guests every once in a while!”
Fisher shared some of his story with me via interview: “I’m a unique story,” he says “I’ve survived the death of two partners - one of brain cancer at 27 and the other in an accident at 24.
I battled alcohol addiction and have survived 2 strokes. Not many people like me that are still alive. But through all this, I still have a positive outlook on life and, like a painter, I want to write and tell the stories about the people of our time. It’s our history!”
LP: How did you get into music?
LF: I got into music by accident. I was playing hookie not singing in high school choir and got in trouble with the teacher. He made me sing after school, and a discovery was made. Next thing you know, I'm singing Opera in college at KState and after that I joined a rock band in Bennington Kansas in an airplane hanger singing metal and hair rock
LP: Who are you influenced by?
LF: I love most styles of music. It fascinates me how different people do things and how culture and history plays such a huge part in how music is expressed.
Everything started with classical and blues so I started there. I was turned on by how bending a single note on guitar could say five different things at once.
It’s hard to name a few artists I like, but I'd have to say I like and still listen to Roy Orbison, Bowie, Sonic Youth, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Murphy, Yello, Moody Blues, Bill Withers, Duran Duran, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, AC/DC, Billy Idol, Billie Eilish - who is the best modern artist, Waylon Jennings, Rage Against the Machine and local KC band Gascan.... just to name a few.
LP: I saw your Spotify bio says you play a 5 string guitar that doesn’t have a g-string. What made you want to do this/how did it come to be?
LF: A guitar player i knew gave me his old Peavy Tracer electric guitar with a broken g string and I took it home and taught myself how to play and make chords on it. I started writing songs at this time; I had no idea what I was doing, still don't. I can't play a standard tuned 6 string guitar at all.
I create melodies in my head, singing them and then find the chords playing my way. After intensive research, we have yet to find anyone out there that plays the way I do. It’s fucking weird.
LP: Tell me about your album “Floating Palace.”
LF: “Floating Palace” is me being a little more adventurous than usual. I'm a storyteller so on this album I tried to influence those stories differently by playing other instruments in the studio that I don't do as often. Definitely more piano and drum beats. It was a fun record to make and I think you can hear that even in the dark and serious tracks. I also had Autumn Hayes on bass and vocals, Julia Reynolds on keyboards and vocals, plus Duane Trower engineering my specific sound.
LP: Is there a meaning / origin to your affinity to rubber duckies?
LF: It comes from the movie “Smoky and the Bandit” I've sometimes use a cb radio on stage and say "That's a Big 10-4 Rubber Ducky.” So I give out rubber duckies so people will remember me. It’s really starting to catch on, and it’s fun!
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