The first time I wrote about Lissy Trullie, back in March, I focused on her rousing, effervescent pop, charming on-stage demeanor and undeniable je ne sais quoi—which, coupled with her boyish good looks and A-list friends (Chloe Sevigny, Rylan McGinley, Moses de la Renta)—led to many a critic dubbing her NYC’s new “it girl.”
And maybe she is. But last night at Kung Fu Necktie, Trullie showed me an altogether different side of herself—about as far from aloof scenester as you can imagine. As the crowd gathered downstairs for her headlining performance, the songstress—looking effortlessly beautiful in a white dress and leather jacket—relaxed in an easy chair upstairs and let loose her opinions on music, touring and how un-cool she really is. (I’m still skeptical!)
Phrequency: Many blogs compare you to Edie Sedgwick, and say things like “Andy Warhol would have loved Lissy Trullie.” How do you feel about such comparisons? Are you a fan of Andy Warhol’s work?
Lissy Trullie: Not really. [Pauses.] I mean, a little bit. His work definitely had an impact on how we view art. But—I don’t think he treated people very nice. He was definitely out for himself. Which is fine and all—if you’re interested in the art. I’m not fascinated at all with The Factory, and that whole culture, in terms of partying and lifestyle. [Pauses.] And I don’t think I have ANYTHING in common with Edie Sedgwick
P: You’re constantly called NYC’s new “it girl”, the purveyor of cool. What does it mean to be cool anymore? Do you consider yourself cool?
LT: No. I don’t at all. And I don’t like the phrase “it girl” because—first—it alludes to impermanence. And second—it’s just an empty phrase. I’m hardly a girl. I’m much older than a girl. And “it girl” is all about popularity—like a cheerleader. It has an exclusivity to it that’s not at all my personality. I think I’m misjudged—people think I’m snooty just because I had a DJ gig for a while at a cool place. It was just a job—I got paid $300 a week to DJ there. I’m also quiet, and I think people read it as me being standoff-ish. But I’m actually just quiet and a little shy.
P: You’ve done some modeling work in the past. What’s the relationship, in your opinion, between fashion and music? Is there a relation?
LT: I’m not a model! That’s a massive misconception about me. I did some modeling work like…10 years ago. I’m a musician.
As for the relationship between music and fashion…I think music and fashion are complimentary. I don’t think they necessarily influence each other—maybe in a few specific instances. But they’re really 2 different beasts. It’s like comparing apples and oranges.
P: Ok, time to focus on the music. Who are some of your biggest influences in songwriting?
LT: [Flustered.] Ohhh…this question is always the hardest for me to answer, because it’s such a culmination of things! I think my songwriting would be hurt if I was just inspired by one thing, or a few things. I’m influenced by everything…everything I’ve seen and heard.
P: You’ve performed everywhere—NYC, Europe, the West Coast—do any shows in particular stick out in your mind? What types of venues do you prefer?
LT: I really like small venues, like this one, where everyone is close. I’d rather perform in a small space than a big stadium—I mean, those are definitely exhilarating—but you feel more like a spectacle, rather than a person, with people, connecting with them.
As for playing around the world...in the States, the crowd and the experience just varies so much from place to place and day to day. Obviously, the bigger cities tend to get the better crowds. But you never know what to expect.
In Europe, it’s totally different. Over there, “indie music”— if you will—is more like popular music, and so you get these packed crowds, where everyone is singing along to all the words. They just have a hunger for indie music that’s different from here.
P: Tell me about the debut album.
LT: Well, we’re mixing it after the new year, and it should be out in the spring. [Pauses.] I’m proud of it! I finally had the time and the resources to do what I really intended to do. With the EP, everything was really rushed—done in a small amount of time and little money. And it was great considering. But this…THIS is done properly, with a producer who’s amazing (Bernard Butler of Suede.)
P: What are you listening to right now?
LT: Some stuff I’ve listened to today would be…the Dirty Projectors. Girls. And this band I just discovered called Micachu. I really like them.
P: What advice would you give to other musicians who are just starting out?
LT: Like me?
P: Like you a year or 2 ago.
LT: Don’t take anybody’s advice. Be wary of people who advise too much! [Laughs.] Just work really hard, and keep working. And remember that it’s not about looking cool, or being cool—it’s about being able to work, and write songs, and tour and keep playing gigs, even if no one shows up. Don’t give up.
P: Sounds like good advice to me!
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