Before we get into the featured artist for the first day of the FIFTH year of presenting women musical artists, let me welcome each and every person who reads about and listens to these wonderful songwriters, singers, musicians, and creative spirits. It’s always fun and educational for me to put them together for you, and it is my hope that you enjoy learning about these creatives who just happen to be female. The format will be an image of the artist, a quote by them, a brief intro, a look at their early life, their musical beginnings, discography, filmography (if any,) special tidbits of info on them, a link to their official website to learn more and perhaps buy their music or other merch, and at least one YouTube video of them performing. There may also be bonus videos if I find good ones. As a special feature, there will be two guest writers this month.
I use my voice
to bring sacred songs into profane places.
from Lilli’s website, she describes herself as:
1. A squishy humanist / Universal Dignity Enthusiast who loves pianos.
2. A creator of #orangemusic–distant, more sober cousin of the blues.
3. Singer of songs “for the people” who sometimes likes to get loud about it.
4. New orleans’ singer/composer of rare grace and grit.
Lilli Lewis is an American folk and Americana singer, songwriter, and pianist based in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is sometimes known as the “Folk Rock Diva”.
Early Life: Lilli was born in Athens, GA. As the story goes, Lilli Lewis should never have been. Before she was born, Lewis’ mother was told her baby probably wouldn’t survive due to lung trouble, so the fact that Lewis now makes a living singing with those same lungs is a gift she never takes for granted.
Musical Beginnings: Trained as an opera singer and classical pianist, Georgia native Lewis has been a composer, producer and performer for over two decades. After carving out space as an African American queer woman of size, Lewis’ career has culminated in her album Americana being a top pick everywhere from NPR’s All Songs Considered to Rolling Stone.
The FolkRockDiva is a musical polyglot who glides easily between folk, roots, country soul, gospel, and jazz, and has integrated New Orleans traditions by singing lead for Dirty Dozen Brass Band founding member Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove. Lewis’ Louisiana Red Hot Records releases include The Henderson Sessions, We Belong, and Americana.
Discography: 9 albums with one having Vol. 1 & 2.
Some things to share: Lewis has spoken out on racial, gender, and LGBTQ equity in Americana music in her role as Vice President and head of A&R at Louisiana Red Hot Records
Official website: here
“Firefly” is a cut from Lilli’s latest album, “All is Forgiven,” released in December, 2023.
Tao Talk 
Thank you for introducing Lilli.
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You’re welcome, and my pleasure.
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I like how she describes herself!
I shall definitely check her music out!
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Me too, Carol Anne on both counts.
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Great start to the format. Lilli Lewis is a new name to me.
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Spotify Release Radar is a place to find musicians like Lilli, excellent but not known to a wider audience.
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Lovely voice, new to me!
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Yes, I need to listen to more of her NOLA style music.
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What a beautiful voice! Thank you for introducing her to me. I find it perfect that as the song entered the last section, the sun started shining through my window and onto me.
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:::goosebumps::: I want to listen to more of her music for sure.
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So good!
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“sacred songs into profane places” …that should be a bumper sticker…that is awesome. She sounds wonderful and her voice could very well do what she said.
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:) <3 Yes it should and yes she does.
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Very expressive voice. excellent vibes. (K)
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Yes and yes :)
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Beautiful way to kick off to kick off your great series, Lisa. Based on the song you highlighted, Lilli Lewis, an artist I don’t know (yet), sounds mighty sweet! Very soulful – love it!
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Thank you, Dear Christian. I agree with you.
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Lilli Lewis is new to me. Utterly divine!
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I agree with you, Nancy. The singing and the sound effects work so well together.
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Yes, I really like her.
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wow oh wow! New for me. Firefly just beautiful. Thanks, DF
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Definitely haunting melody and earnest singing.
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