From DeLand Beacon / Arts & Entertainment - March 12, 2005
Concert Review: Lisa Firestone

For all of you music buffs out there I have a little late breaking news that is sure to make your red heart green. For the past several years, one of Central Florida's best kept secrets has been a soulful and sensual artist that hales by the name of Lisa Firestone.

Lisa is a pianist and prolific song writer of the first calliber. If you have missed seeing or hearing her at any number of events locally, think Sara McLachlan or (for those of you between 40 and the grave) Joni Mitchell. . . . Song styles ranged from blues to pop, but the message was consistant throughout. We are all spirits of our maker and are here on a wonderful journey of discovery.

Many times that trek leads us through glee and delight and Lisa is able to conjure up line after line of gentle prose that allows us to recall our own nostalgic memories. Other times we are met with heart ache and dispare. Here too, this emerging songstress coaxes us to delve into her world and be illuminated into seeing our own tender spots. Never judgemental or preachy, Lisa is able to touch and evoke while at the same time entertain. What a delightful combination!

So unless you were there Saturday night I'm sorry to say you missed this one. That's the bad news. The good news is that Lisa along with her band mates (Gary Groves on bass guitar and Debbie McMillan on drums) have commited themselves to becoming even more of a presence on the greater Orlando music landscape. . . . if you would like to check out clips of her vast song library go to www.LisaFirestone.com and who knows. You just might end up ordering one of her three terrific CDs. What a welcome change to the same old sausage being cranked out on corperate radio! M. Obrien - Arts & Entertainment,The Beacon

From The Orlando Sentinel, Sunday July 7, 2002
Five Questions With . . . Lisa Firestone, musician/songwriter

How would you describe your music?
A friend of mine coined it perfectly I think: inner-world music -- most deeply influenced by Sara McLachlan, Tori Amos, Joni Mitchell and Peter Gabriel. I'm a Los Angelina at heart, which only means I'm unpredictably eclectic.

You used to work in the film and music industry. Why did you decide to leave?
That's an easy one! While I firmly believe there are no mistakes in the universe, those years were about as uncreative and stagnant as Išve experienced. Išve never fully understood pop culture, so trying to fit in with the people who apply creativity based on profit and trend became a killjoy to my self-expression.

Where do you do most of your songwriting?
I've always been clear that the songs are not really "mine," but that they come through me; I'm just a conduit. Clearly "the little muse" does like to present herself at the most inopportune moments typically when I'm driving in traffic, the little ones are bickering in the back seat, and the trusty companion voice recorder has dead batteries.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
For some reason, I find myself wondering what a day in the life of Madonna would look like. I think there's something especially appealing about a 24-hour housekeeper, cook and nanny, with a complete multi-million-dollar recording studio accessible at any time.

What has been your greatest achievement to date?
Well, that childbirth thing was quite a deal! Truly, though, the greatest compliment I ever receive is acknowledgment for being a good mother while honoring my passion to create music

--- REBECCA SWAIN VADNIE