Bring it on, 2013

Ater releasing two albums in 2011, 2012 has been pretty low-key for us. We've got songs up our sleeves, though, and a new album on the horizon...

Meantime, we have a New Year's message you may have heard before, but we're gonna say it again. Sometimes good ideas are worth repeating, and the best idea is to follow your dreams, make things happen, set goals and reach for the stars. Whether it's changing your lifestyle, finding a new job, getting out of debt, quitting a bad habit or struggling with a disease, it's all about perserverence, determination. It's about the stuff we're all made of. No matter what 2013 brings, our message to you remains:

Don't give up.
Ever.

Ok, 2013 - bring  it on.

Won't Give Up official video

Get Your Bells On

It's that time again, when sleighbells are jingling, eggnog is flowing and the ones you love mean more than anything else in the world.

Happy Holidays with love and music from This is lizzard!

Download this track on Bandcamp!

Holiday Performances:

Dec 16  4pm-5:15pm  De Drvkkery, Middelburg NL

Dec 26  11am-3pm 'Christmas Brunch' De Drie Koningen, Groede NL

All in the Family

When I was a kid, I heard music all the time. My Dad was a blues man, born and raised in Chicago. We had just about every instrument in our house at our disposal, from tin whistles to guitars to pianos. Dad would play guitar and sing all the time, and I only discovered later, when I started performing, how truly important music was, and is, to him.

Dad recently sent me the link to this interview on 60sgaragebands.com where he describes his experiences as a young and talented musician in Chicago in the 60's. Some stories I knew about, others were new to me. Now I understand where it all comes from, this music brewing in my soul...

So it was an extra special treat to perform with my Dad during a recent gig. I could go on and on, but I think in this case, pictures really do say more than words.

Stolk Music Studio

These days, it takes versatality to survive as a musician, and that goes for us too.

Next to singing and writing for This is lizzard, I'm a vocal coach, I direct a children's choir and do voice-overs. Roland goes one step further and combines his creative musical ability (performing, composing and arranging) with his technical know-how and expertise (recording, mixing and mastering) in Stolk Music Studio.

Last week, we launched the Stolk Music Studio website, which is where Roland recorded, mixed and mastered our debut CD 'Won't Give Up' and put the finishing touches on the EP 'The Orcas Sessions'.

We're working on material for a new album, which will be completely unplugged and acoustic, which is Roland's speciality in the studio, and we just can't wait to share it with you!

Here are some photographic moments of us in the studio the other day:

 

Roland adjusts the Neumann

 Liz lays down a track

Listening...

 ...and discussing the track side-by-side.

 Sometimes us singers have to keep our mouths shut so the experts can do their thing...

 Cozy and intimate, it's a perfect environment for acoustic music.

...and man, do we have fun!

Works in Progress

In case you were wondering, no, we haven't disappeared off the face of the earth... Around here, life has been doing what it does best: gently but persuasively forcing us to make priorities that have little or nothing to do with making music. As it turns out, bills just don't pay themselves, upkeep doesn't keep itself up, dishes just don't wash themselves, and it's really best not to let kids raise themselves...

But all this hasn't stopped us from making music completely, no matter where our attention is focused. I'm so excited about it, I'm about to do something I've never ever done before: share a song before it's actually finished. So, for all our awesome fans that stand behind us patiently, regardless of how long it takes for us to put a song together - this one's for you.

100 Reasons - This is lizzard by thisislizzard

Never Give Up

This is just a reminder...

You are strong.
You are unique.
Whatever you want to achieve, whether it's changing your job or your lifestyle, you can achieve it.
Turn destructive patterns into constructive ones.
Fight to win that battle.
You know you can.
Never give up.

Live and Kicking

Last Saturday we performed live at a venue I used to go to in my early 20's, 't Paardacfé in 't Paard van Troje, The Hague. Talk about a blast from the past! It was rough waking up at 7am the next morning after a few hours sleep, but that's the price we pay for being rockin' parents... but you know what?
It was worth it.

We performed for the first time with an excellent musician, Jayson Bouwens, pictured here. It was great performing as a trio again - as most of you know, we've only ever performed with Gene Nery as a trio in the Pacific Northwest. It's awesome having a versatile and dedicated musician like Jayson to perform with here in the Netherlands.

As far as we're concerned, this was the first of many more gigs with him in future!

In With the New

What is it about inspiration? Some days, you can't find it even if it were standing smack in front of you, and other days, it sneaks up behind you and plops right down in your lap.

Roland picked up the guitar last week and together we wrote three new songs. It never ceases to amaze me how our music develops and changes through the years, and these new songs are a whole new direction for us, yet again. It's not exactly pop, not exactly rock, it's not exactly anything. Bare naked soul, that's what I call it.

You see, we just can't stick to one genre. We both think music is too diverse and awesome to confine ourselves to only one style, which admittedly, can be confusing for some, but a breath of fresh air for others. But you know, trying to make music with the sole purpose of pleasing every single person who hears it is an exercise in futility. We make music because we can't not make music, and that music comes from heart and soul, regardless of genre.

I'm looking forward to playing live and intimate on Saturday June 30th at my old stomping grounds, 't Paardcafé in Den Haag. I spent many a late night and early morning there, attended concerts there, even performed there in my early 20's as a very ambitious and spotlight-happy young woman. The thought of jumping back up on those boards again with a whole new musical message to convey sends me straight into the 'lake of me' - wow, have I come a long way.

So with all these old memories going on, I guess the need for something new was too strong to ignore. Old times, new songs. Makes sense to me.

Kids at Heart

If you didn't know already, Roland and I are not only soul-mates in music, we're soul-mates in life too. We've been together for 14 years and have even produced two miniature versions of ourselves, a daughter Mia and a son Bram.

Having kids changed a lot: no more late nights making music, no more sleeping in till noon, no more touring the world and beyond... but having kids also changed other things: they provide us with new inspiration, new ideas and a daily dose of laughter.

Our kids have inspired us to embark on our latest - and possibly greatest - musical adventure: children's music.

I am therefore proud and thrilled to introduce to you "Lizzy and the Lizzards", our fun and funky musical alter-egos.

Lead singer (and über-diva) Lizzy and her band of musically-gifted lizards, Ike, Spike, Sasafrass and Oscar, make music for kids, about kids, through the eyes of kids, that grown-ups will get a kick out of too.






We just released our very first single, "I Got An Owie" from the soon-to-be debut album "Sing it Like it IS"! You can listen and download it by clicking on the album cover.






 

Watch the official "I Got An Owie" video:


We just launched a project on Rockethub so we can raise enough money to produce the album and eventually the CD-Book and could sure use your help! Read all about the Lizzy and the Lizzards concept on Rockethub, and why we feel music is so essential to kids and their devlopment! We appreciate all the support -you will receive anything from free music downloads to a handmade Lizzy-style hat for your generosity!

Most of all, we hope Lizzy and the Lizzards puts a smile on your face and a skip in your step. It's guarenteed to make you feel like a kid again...!

Home Away From Home

A year ago today, This is lizzard was in the USA, on a little island with a huge heart called Orcas.
It's our home away from home, and as most people know, it's a place that inspires us, moves us and keeps us coming back for more.
Sadly, we won't be able to take in the majestic mountains, make music on the Green and enjoy the company of the awesome Orcas Island community this summer, but we're living on the memories...

 

Gene, Liz and Roland performing at the Fourth of July Festival on the Green, 2011

Gene checking the levels while recording 'The Orcas Sessions' in Studio Hideout, 2011

 Liz laying down vocals for 'The Orcas Sessions' in Studio Hideout, 2011

Gene, Liz and Roland at The Hangar Gig, 2010

 Gene, Roland and Liz performing on the Green, 2011

Roland, Liz and Gene at The Conway Muse, 2011

 'Won't Give Up' release party at the Outlook Inn, 2011

 Liz savoring the moment at The Trading Co gig, 2011

How It All Began...

Recently, I discovered inside a folder in a folder in a folder on my Mac, a folder full of our very first recordings. It's been so much fun, rediscovering our 'older' songs, some of which I've uploaded to our Soundcloud account.

This was us, back in 2001! When Roland and I met in 1998, we collaborated on a studio R&B project together, but were getting nowhere fast. It was actually 9/11 that changed the way we lived our lives, and how we made music...

After that tragic event, Roland and I walked around in a daze, like everybody. The only way we knew how to cope with our grief, anger and frustration, was to make music.

Roland grabbed a guitar that had been gathering dust in the corner of the living room (despite being a multi-instrumentalist, it was the only instrument he'd never played before). We wrote and recorded this song the very next day...
"Don't Let People Walk Away"
It's been exactly ten years, and we've been through some serious highs and lows since then. I remember how good it felt, that we found a way to communicate through heart and soul, which has always been our goal as musicians, and as a family.

Rediscovering our musical past has been a journey back in time - I've been reminiscing about the people we touched, the awesome venues and tours we played and, of course, the music we made.

We've come a long way, and our musical past is very much a part of who we are now - I can't wait for you to hear it.

Download any of these tracks free on Soundcloud!

Take Her Home 
Rosie's Cafe 
Suddenly 
Any Day Now 
Never Mind

Spring has Sprung!

It's official - the sun is out and little green things are popping out everywhere. Spring is here, if not very much on its way! Here's the latest...

New Video!
Hold on to your hats: here is our new video clip for 'How Come!

War Child
Liz sang live for War Child last week! The Radio 538 voor War Child campaign has raised enough money to take thousands of children out of the war! Here are some photos of the live performance:

Liz Sings Live for War Child!

Vote on March 11th by sms-ing "MAKEN 6" to 4333! Thank you thank you thank you!!!

Contest + New Videos!

February Give-Away!
This month, This is lizzard dedicates 'Won't Give Up' to War Child, an organization that helps change the lives of children all over the world. Dutch Radio 538 has started a musical campaign in collaboration with War Child that we support 100%!

Congratulations to Drew Jex, the winner of the most inspirational dedication to Terry Fox, Canadian humanitarian, athlete and cancer research activist who truly did not know the meaning of giving up.
Congratulations Drew! You receive our debut album 'Won't Give Up' and a personalized video performance of your favorite This is lizzard song!

A picture says a thousand words - so a video must say a zillion!


We're in the process of video-izing all our songs on our YouTube channel - go ahead and have a look! And let us know what you think, we'd love to hear from you!








Live & Kicking
March 3, 9pm in 't Paardcafé in The Hague, NL
Catch This is lizzard, live & intimate. Free admission.
More info here.

March 11, time t.b.a
Liz sings live for the Radio 538 for War Child TalentStage in Den Bosch, NL
More info here

March 31, time t.b.a Labtones Live, in Merz, Dordrecht, NL

Because We Love You...

Here's a Valentine's Day gift for you!
Download FREE the lullaby for lovers, 'Wake Up and Dream' from our EP The Orcas Sessions! This romantic duet is just the song to surprise the one you love on February 14th. Enjoy!

February Give-Away!
Every month, we dedicate the title track of our debut album 'Won't Give Up' to an especially inspiring person or organization that teaches us the meaning of never giving up when it comes to making dreams come true and changing the world.
Now, we are asking YOU: Who would you dedicate 'Won't Give Up' to?
Who or what inspires you to never give up reaching for the stars and achieving goals?
Tell us who teaches you to never give up and why, and you could win a personalized video performance of your favorite This is lizzard song!
Come on, let's inspire each other!! You can send us an e-mail, or tell us on our Facebook page.
The winner will be announced on February 29th.

This month, This is lizzard dedicates 'Won't Give Up' to War Child, an organization that helps change the lives of children all over the world. Dutch Radio 538 has started a musical campaign in collaboration with War Child that we support 100%!



Help This is lizzard Reach the World!

Our Sponsume campaign to reach thousands of new listeners with our music will be closing in a few weeks, so if you want to be instrumental in helping us reach the world, go have a look at our project now! In exchange for a donation, you will receive free music, video performances and more, not to mention our eternal gratitude and credit here on the site! 




Thanks so much for your support and love! You rock!
Lizanne & Roland
This is lizzard

366 Days

We all get a gift in 2012 - an extra day. That's right, folks, it's a leap year this year, which not only means anyone who was born on February 29th actually gets to celebrate their birthday, it also means we all get one whole extra day to fulfill our dreams!

Help This is lizzard Reach the World

Our dream this year is to reach lots and lots and LOTS of new listeners with our music. Making music is the best thing ever, but knowing other people are hearing it and enjoying it is even better.
But reaching new listeners costs money, which is why we started a project on Sponsume last month to raise funds for a promotion campaign called Help This is lizzard Reach the World! You can read all about the project here and by donating money, you're not only being instrumental in helping our music reach thousands of new listeners, you'll also be rewarded!

For any donation made, you'll receive anything from MP3 downloads to signed copies of the album(s) to a personalized video performance by This is lizzard! The project will run through February 2012 and your support would be greatly, hugely, massively appreciated!

Two Voices - One Message
We about to embark on a very exciting project in collaboration with singer/songwriter Inge and her band - a mini-tour entitled 'Two Voices - One Message', the message being whatever the listener chooses to interpret!
Inge and I met on Facebook, and we realized we had more in common than we thought - we both live in Zeeland, the south of Holland, we both have a new CD out and we both live for music! Both Inge and I sing (in English) about a lot of the same themes, but in our own unique and original way.

Dates & venues t.b.a - watch this space or head to our Facebook page for the latest news!

Here's to YOU!

It's the first day of 2012, and I haven't made a single resolution. Thing is, I don't believe in resolutions, because they imply you've been doing something wrong all year long.
I believe in dreams, and never giving up in achieving them.

And, I love the fact that I'm not alone. I've met so many inspiring musicians this past year who have reminded me why I love making music so much. So this month, the very first month of 2012, we are dedicating the title track of our debut album 'Won't Give Up' to the independent musician.

Here's to the creative spirit who creates to survive, not to pay bills.

Here's to the inspirational individual who can't stop expressing him-or-herself, no matter what obstacles may lie in his-or-her path.

Here's to the determined artist who will never give up reaching for the stars.

Here's to you and all that you will create in 2012 and many more years to come!