Q&A: Capturing the Timelessness of Love With Lisabel
“IT WAS AN EVENING IN JUNE” — opens London-based artist Lisabel’s newest single, “End of The Line.” Through relaxed yet heartfelt vocals and a gentle acoustic sound, the track is as inviting as a perfect June evening.
Released on June 30, “End of The Line” is Lisabel’s second release of the year and is quite different from her first of 2024, “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
“I always try to serve the song rather than a musical category,” she says of her fluid approach to songwriting.
For Lisabel, the intention comes before the genre which results in a diversity of sound across her discography. From traditional pop to sultry jazz to this latest ballad, Lisabel honors sincere stories before sonic boundaries.
“I love to experiment and let my songwriting moments flow freely,” she shares.
“End of The Line” is about an enduring and unconditional love. Situations and lifestyles may change, but the love that Lisabel sings about transcends time passing. An emotive piano that quickens and slows to complement Lisabel’s vocals drives the song and its romantic images: “Fast forward to present day / Years have passed / I still think we are here to stay / Not sure about where we’re going or how / But your touch still awakes butterflies / So I’m down for the ride.”
Through her career, Lisabel has played in London venues such as The Half Moon, Pizza Express Jazz Club (Soho and Chelsea), O2 Academy Islington, 606 Jazz Club, and The Workshop & Roadtrip, among others. Now, she’s working on her second album, a follow up to A Work of Art, which was released in 2020.
Read our interview with Lisabel below as she chats about “End of The Line,” collaboration, and her personal relationship with music.
LUNA: I think one of the greatest strengths of “End of The Line” is your vocal performance. There are really pretty harmonies that contribute to its waltzy sound. Tell me about your process — did the lyrics and vocals come first or the instrumental?
LISABEL: Thank you very much! For this song, we wanted to capture a soft sound. The lead and harmonies were recorded close to the mic to convey the intimacy of the lyrics more powerfully. I wrote the lyrics for the first verse, then wrote the chord progression and continued with the rest of the song.
LUNA: You worked with Nikola Kovačević on this track, who produced, mixed, and mastered it. You’ve worked with Nikola numerous times before. What role does collaboration play in your creative process? Do you feel any differences between working with new collaborators versus reconnecting with previous ones?
LISABEL: When it comes to writing, I’m a bit of a loner by choice. At least I was until a couple of years ago. Nikola is a musical collaborator with whom I feel very safe to be in a creative space with because he serves the music without ego, always striving to make the artist’s vision come to life with authenticity. I will be creating a lot more music with him for sure.
I do sometimes find it hard to share the intimacy of writing, and I don’t always like the compromises that one has to make for all parties involved in the writing of a song to be happy. But I actually have a single coming out soon, which I co-wrote with an incredible artist and great friend, Levina. I can’t wait for it to be out!
LUNA: More on collaboration, could you tell me more about Brother Sun Sister Moon Productions?
LISABEL: Brother Sun Sister Moon Productions is a production house, studio run by Nikola and myself. It was born out of wanting for our music to be released under our own label. In all truthfulness, the person behind its core is Nik, but I help run the studio and try to get a community of like-minded musicians involved. The music industry is hard enough to navigate — we need to stick together and promote a safe space for creation and friendship.
LUNA: You describe “End of The Line” as discussing “a relationship that isn’t young and fresh anymore but still brings butterflies.” When it comes to your relationship with music, do you feel a similar way?
LISABEL: Music has a unique power over me. My passion for it is ever-changing and constantly growing in intensity. I still get overwhelmed when listening to a song that first left an impression on me years ago and still does. I believe that the deep emotions and vibrations captured in a musical piece will linger forever in it and in the listener who empathizes with it. So, yes, I’d say I do feel a similar way!
LUNA: You’ve also shared that one of your aims as an artist is to create within various genres. Is that a way to keep it exciting?
LISABEL: I don’t consciously decide to write music in different genres; it comes [naturally] to me to write songs that all end up being stylistically very different. It definitely does keep it exciting. I always say that although I’m the author and composer of my songs, once they have been written, they take on a life of their own and my purpose and greatest joy is to serve what the song needs.
LUNA: At the same time, similar to the theme of timelessness in “End of The Line,” I don’t think newness is the only approach to keeping something alive or exciting. What are some of your old-reliable processes in creation?
LISABEL: It’s going to sound cliche, but the approach that never fails me is to be open to what wants to come out in the moment. Whether it’s a melody, a chord progression, a story. I never push music out of me. To be open is to be vulnerable, and vulnerability isn’t something we always want to come out — when it does, I try to capture it as best as I can.
LUNA: Do you find inspiration from other artists? Who are some of your favorites?
LISABEL: Definitely. Lizzy McAlpine has been a favorite recently. She’s a great storyteller, and her songs are powerful whether they have a full production or are super stripped-down acoustic ones. Lately I’ve been listening to Jordan Rakei, Becca Stevens, John Mayer, and a bit of Maggie Rogers too. I’m definitely in my folk-soul-indie era!
