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Photo: Lisa Goldin

Interview – Lisa Goldin

We were lucky enough to catch up with musician Lisa Goldin following the release of ‘Something I Used To Wear‘. Read our full interview below!

Why did you choose Something I Used To Wear as the album title? What made that phrase feel like the right umbrella for all these songs?

“Something I Used To Wear” is a song on the album that took the longest to birth, as it was one of the most brutal break-ups to translate into song. One day, I just cracked up laughing about the absurdity I had gone through, and voilà, it popped! The album’s tracklist has a running theme of tragic relationships I’ve been through, and I had a stern talk that it’s enough of these awful choices. Hence, this is “Something I Used To Wear” and no longer put on myself.

This album has been unfolding since 2020, one single at a time. How did releasing it over time shape your connection to the songs — and to your listeners?

2020 was rough for everyone, right?! I tried to get my life back on track and focus on the studio, but I had other priorities to sort out. So it wasn’t deliberate. When I overcame the disappointment of not delivering ‘on time’ to GoldinFans, I instead fell in love with the trickle-type release. It helped me shape a stronger and more gradual relationship with radio and press – it’s because they trusted in the music that it then reached new GoldinFans; I am eternally grateful, thanks! I learnt so much about how each song connected with my audience because of their reaction to it. It’s fascinating finding out what songs had the most impact; it surprises me every time, and I find a new love for each one – it’s like listening to them for the first time :> A drop of an entire album in one go might have lost these individual moments I now cherish.

You’ve said this album marks “the end of an era.” What era is ending for you, and what’s beginning in its place?

It is the end of an era of putting up with complete and absolute nonsense, haha! I realized that as much I love helping people, it is just not my responsibility to help improve them. If people do not see you and love you for all you are, they are not your people – and I say this with so much love. My focus is on keeping my circle small, from family and friends to business. Authenticity is everything, and being full of laughter is a must while on life’s journey, which inevitably comes with curveballs. Saying “no” is my new favourite word.

Tracks like “Kept In Locket” and “Heartbeat” have topped charts and won radio love — but which song on this album means the most to you personally, and why?

There are two… the opening “Apparently”, the third song written in 2015, which tells the story of how gossip culture can hurt a reputation. It’s unfortunate how people waste their breath communicating a projection of their perception of someone else onto others. They couldn’t be more wrong, and I now have zero time drowning in their point of view. And, the closing song, “Just Right (Goldilocks Theme)”, the second song written in 2014, because from now on, it has to be ‘just right’ for Goldilocks [aka me…and the three bears!!!], and that’s in every aspect of my life!

There’s an empowering thread running through the album — from heartbreak and revenge to self-love and tribe-building. Did you know that would be the arc from the start, or did it surprise you as the songs came together?

This big little heart of mine knew she’d suffered enough. There were surprises, though! Originally, I had planned to choose songs I’d written between 2012-2019, but then “Three Days”, “HeartBeat”, “Tell Me”, “Fallin”, and “Let It” jumped outta my head and onto piano…they wanted to be part of this album, I guess… Sidenote: Isn’t it funny how the opening and closing songs were written before the main songs of the album; they kinda predicted the rest of the album’s theme. They totally set the tone! BTW I only looked at the dates today for this interview, so the order of the tracklist wasn’t influenced by that knowledge…

You’ve worked with a wide range of collaborators — Stoyan Storn Stoyanov, Pasha Cazan, Xenai, Dr Feral, and Mark Stent. How did each of them influence the sound or soul of the project?

Stoyan Storn Stoyanov – we’ve worked together since 2012 as a duo for band work and also produced the second album, “Who Are You, Again?”. Stoyan is one of the most accomplished pianists and producers I have ever met. As much as I play the piano on the album, he is featured on especially “Hope (Acoustic)”, and every song on the album plays the piano and all other digital instruments. He listens and feels everything with you and then enhances it by bringing your vision to life, whether as a musician or producer. Stoyan is very much a massive influence, from stage to studio, and a great friend. I trust his sound opinion, pitch-perfect ear, heartfelt work ethic and perfectionism with my life. He deserves so much recognition for his brilliance.

Pasha Cazan – we met when I was performing in Abu Dhabi at Jazz Bar, and she introduced me to The Fridge agency, which in turn signed me up as an exclusive artist in the region. Pasha goes to the ends of the earth for people who matter. She cares about every detail. This shining star is a talented violinist who lights up every room with her mesmerizing presence. I am proud to have her featured on “Like That (Acoustic)” and work together on our other all-female-band projects.

Xenai – we were selected as the Top 10 artists for Yasalam’s Emerging Talent by Flash Entertainment in the UAE, and Xenai went on to win the competition. He is the most awesome artist, and I expressed at that moment the desire to collaborate. “Hope” was released just at the start of Covid, and the message was poignant because of what the pandemic did. I wanted to have as many versions of it to reach various cultures and genres, to give them ‘hope’. I reached out to Xenai, and he was thrilled to rap on it with his Indian chant “Asha”. I am so grateful for his work on “Hope (Extended Version)”; he’s a rising artist and one to look out for.

Mark Stent – I had been trying to contact Mark for years, and finally, we connected. He was happy to remix the record, and I was even happier to have him on “Hope (Remix)”! He’s an absolute legend, and you should check out his infectious dance hits, playing everywhere.

There’s a sense of shedding layers throughout the album — emotionally, musically, even stylistically. Was there a moment in the studio where you realized: “This is the real me now”?

Yes…very much so :> Same me, just stronger! Stoyan and I recorded “Just Right (Goldilocks Theme)” live. It was the final song to do and loaded with tears of joy. I was working late the night before and had had pretty much no sleep. I was terrified my voice would be stretched, but somehow she came through. This song is just voice and piano as a grand finale, stripped down and with nothing to hide, just me (and Stoyan, of course!).

There’s a lot of fun, sass, and even comedy woven into stories of love and loss here. How important is humour to your songwriting and healing process?

Laughter, happiness, joy – the best jump-starts to serotonin! As bad as a moment seems, it’s only a moment – it does not define all of you and your lifeline. It is imperative to me to write music that touches hearts, empowers do-gooders and leaves the listener feeling elevated – that there will be a better day. What we don’t heal will hinder – so do your best to let it go…

This album follows “HerStory” and “Who Are You, Again?” — all themed around identity. Looking back, how has your sense of self-evolved across the three?

Having boundaries is an important part of that evolution. It protects your power. Learning that has been my biggest lesson. I am proud I took back the repertoire from the label that wanted to keep them but said my songs weren’t good enough to release them. These are the songs from this very album, all playing on the radio, all loved by my Goldin fans. It is the same reason I built my GoldinShop – to have a place for GoldinFans to have access directly instead of driving to a DSP that takes most of the creative copyright cut. Without these boundaries in place, this album wouldn’t be here. Boundaries are an integral element of evolution.

What would you say to the version of yourself who wrote the first song on this album back in 2014 — now that the full picture is complete?

Sidenote: Isn’t it funny how “How Love Can Start” is the first song I wrote on this album and the last to release as a series of singles?! Back to your question…what would I say to that version of me back in 2014? Hmmm… it’s more than okay to take your time :>

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FVMusicBlog June 2025

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