Indiana's Indie Music Source
“I was an egg, then I was fertilized, then I was born.” ~ Lelia Broussard
Zack Daggy: Where did you grow up, and how did growing up there influence your style?
Lelia Broussard: I was born in South Louisiana and lived there until I was about 10. The musical culture there is pretty incredible. I grew up going to Jazz Fest. I had so much exposure to all kinds of music at such a young age. I’m not sure if it directly influences my style today, but I think it made an impact for sure.
ZD: I understand that the first song that you ever wrote was about your orthodontist. What’s the story behind that?
LB: Ha. Yes, it was. I told my orthodontist I wanted my braces off early, and he told me that if I did boys wouldn’t want to look at me. So, I wrote a song about it. Showed that jerk, didn’t I!! ;)
ZD: What is your song writing process like?
LB: It varies…sometimes I sit down with the guitar and everything just comes gushing out faster than I can write it down. Usually I’ll start writing lyrics, just whatever comes to mind not necessarily in any sort of form and then I’ll start to play something, hum a melody. It’s really hard to say or accurately describe it because there’s just this thing that happens when everything clicks together and then all of a sudden it’s a song. But I never really know when or how that’s going to happen. It’s something that I NEED to do in order to stay sane. Writing a song for me means to connect with my truest sense of self.
ZD: One of my favorite songs of yours is “Scared To Feel.” What are the origins of that song.
LB: Thank you! I wrote it with a writer friend of mine Ted Bruner the first time I came to Los Angeles. It’s not really to or for anyone in particular. It’s just a feeling about life that I’ve had countless times that I wanted to share with people. The “you” means everyone.
ZD: Where is the strangest place that you’ve found inspiration?
LB: Inspiration can come from anywhere so therefore nothing is strange! :)
ZD: Kinda skipping around, but you had 15 cats once?! How? What were their names?
LB: Hahaha. Well most of them lived outside. It started with one and then she had babies and we kept them all, it was too sad to give them away! Let’s see…names…I know I can’t remember all of them. Um..Miles, Runt, Fluffy, Cajun, Jambalya, Rebecca. Ugh I can’t remember! I’m such a bad pet owner. Seriously, who has 15 cats though? Isn’t that creepy?
ZD: Right, so back to the music. Are you touring much these days?
LB: Right now I’m in the middle of recording and sort of simultaneously writing my new record. I have about half of it done. So for the next few months I’ll be writing new songs and then I’ll finish the recording part in June. After that I plan on touring a LOT!
ZD: Where was your favorite gig thus far?
LB: The Hotel Cafe. I love playing there.
ZD: If you could tour with anyone, who would it be?
LB: Feist would be amazing. Or a fun band like MGMT…or Rilo Kiley! So many choices!
ZD: Which line from one of your songs best describes you?
LB: “I keep on waiting to find myself, I keep on runnin towards the sun I guess I want everything under the blue sky” from I’m Not Waiting. But actually if we are being honest it’s “she can drink jim beam with the boys, but they don’t see her eye liner smudged from the night before…hipster bitch!” from hipster bitch. Haha! Just kidding! Sort of.
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