November 7 was one of the first days campus was reminded of the impending blustery winds of winter at Connecticut College. A small audience of staff, faculty and students sought warm and caffeinated shelter in Coffee Grounds from the cold grey of the afternoon. The couches were turned to face the back of the café, which would now serve as a stage for live music. Student assistants unthreaded wires and adjusted nobs on the many speakers stacked up in corners. After a brief opening performance by MOBROC musicians, seniors Connor Storms, Matthew Whiman, and James O’Connor, Liz de Lise entered the stage and happily announced: “I’m glad to be back home.”
Liz de Lise, a class of 2013 graduate from Philadelphia, returned to campus to perform a few songs from her new EP, To and Fro, as well as some covers that she played as a student. She played one of her favorites, “When All I could Do Was Cry” by Etta James, reminiscing about the days in Earth House when her and her housemates would belt the word “RICE” along with the James recording. Even as she sang it now, two years later, a smile spread across her face.
With the recent release of her new album, “To and Fro,” there is no doubt in our minds that she is making a name for herself in the recording world. de Lise’s sound is nothing less than warm, soothing and intricate. Her soft acoustics combined with folky vibrations and her rich voice are reminiscent of Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell, with a unique plethora of instruments (mandolin, cello, marimba, to name a few), adding a dimension to her sound that really sets her work apart. I was especially drawn to the use of accordion on these tracks. It was a fresh instrumental choice, and emphasized the nomadic theme throughout the album, adding a worldly dimension to the songs in totality.
“To and Fro” plays out as a journey that embodies the idea of home and homelessness; many of the lyrics in each song capture the essence of a modern nomad’s life. de Lise’s love for adventure shines through in every lyric and when listening to the album, a sense of wanderlust is woven into the rising and falling notes, and harmonic voices.
It starts with “Ode,” in which I felt like I was on a road trip, head out the window and wind in my hair–a tribute to the human experience of adventure. The song almost sounds like it may have a slightly Celtic influence, and it tells a part of a story with each lyric.
The song “Home/less” has a soft lullaby sound. The lyrics offer thoughts about travel and self-identity: “Secrets of the streets and untouched lands/ Is this what you planned all along?/ The name your mother gave does not fit/ Name yourself so it’s just right.”
During “Strangers,” I fancied myself on a street of Portland (where de Lise got much of the inspiration for this album) watching the faces of local artists, writers, creators, and nomads from near and far. This song features a wonderful dance-inducing beat, making it easy to envision the metaphorical day-to-day dance of a richly artistic city like Portland.
The final track of de Lise’s new album, “The End,” is an upbeat, orchestral song with a gentle instrumental introduction. The lyrics speak to her time spent in Portland: “The seasons don’t change here/ And the leaves don’t turn/ And the fires burn/ And the bellies yearn/ For something good to eat/ And music rains here/ Keeps it light/ Silken and plush.” de Lise’s word choice for her lyrics embody the feel of the song; words like “yearn,” “silken and plush,” for example.
It’s difficult to pick a favorite track from this album, because they are all a true delight to listen to. de Lise has stayed true to her sound, while making some new vocal and instrumental choices that have enhanced her acoustic-folk vibe.
Another song she performed that hit close to home for many of the seniors in attendance was her original song “The Gates,” which she wrote in the weeks immediately following graduation. The upbeat lyrics poked fun at the usual post-graduation plans that many Conn students pursue: moving to New York City or Washington D.C. de Lise’s response to this was to move out West, back to Philadelphia. As lovely as the song was, it also captured the complexities of moving from outside “The Gates” of our little bubble in a way that was honest and sweet. Of course everything will be alright, but when?
As the performance wore on, it was clear that de Lise’s overall focus and fascination in her music is the idea of home. What does it mean to have a home? Where is home? Can we have more than one? As de Lise charmed us all onstage, it was clear that she thought so.
“This space and this environment still holds so many memories,” said de Lise in an interview after her performance.
DeLise is now a professional musician based out of Philadelphia, performing in and around the area while she works for her father’s music production company. She is also employed as the Company Musician for David Dorfman Dance Company, and her voice accompanies many of his dance pieces. •
