Liz Larizza of Wellville
by: Lisa Olen
Liz Larizza, after leaving her Australian homeland, pursued her dream of being a singer/songwriter both in Canada and in the United States. Finally, settling in Orlando, Florida, Liz joined front man SteveBurry in the Beat-Me Ups, which locally, first exhibited Liz’s entrancing vocal style and well-placed harmonies to an engaging flock of fans. She eventually formed her own band, Wellville, whose folk/pop/rock feel transcends most genre stereotypes and labels that have been placed before them.(www.wellville.nf). Their impressive debut CD, “Happier Girl” was a most requested local song on popular Florida radio stations such as XL 106.7 and SHE 100.3 and was also featured on the Fox network television drama “Party of Five.” In 1998, Wellville was featured on high-profile “diva” concerts at impressive venues such as House of Blues. Although in the pre-negotiation stages of signing to a record label, Larizza and her band have still achieved a record level of their own success. All that and critical acclaim, even garnering two nominations at the 1999 Orlando Music Awards for Best Pop Rock Band and Best Album of the Year.
FEMMUSIC: How would you describe your music?
LARIZZA: POP ROCK!
FEMMUSIC: What type of messages and feelings do you try to relay with your songwriting? What is the method to your madness when writing a song?
LARIZZA: Sometimes just storytelling my life loves, hurts, frustrations in a way you can get to know me honestly. If I can’t tell someone, something, face to face and it’s eating at me, a song will most certainly happen.
FEMMUSIC: What were the challenges to making and promoting your first CD, “Happier Girl.” How well do you think the CD has done to promote the band?
LARIZZA: Challenges? This would be a 10 page gripe about that! It was our first time in a real studio and nobody really knew what to do. Everything sounded great even though we look back now and see we had a long way to go.
But our fans loved it and that is what matters. Promoting the CD was easy. It sold well at shows and online but when (disc jockey) Shark from She103.1 radio played it 2 weeks in a row, we sold out right away! 1000 copies! This CD actually did great things for us.
FEMMUSIC: With the release of your new (3) track EP, has your music style changed from your pop/rock roots?
LARIZZA: My songwriting is definitely evolving. I think you will always recognize my style, though. I’m really liking what is coming out of me now and as a band we hook it up all together effortlessly. I’m really happy about it right now.
FEMMUSIC: What were the challenges and benefits of being part of a duo songwriting team when you were with the “Beat-Me-Ups.” How different was the music from Wellville’s?
LARIZZA: Steve Burry and I never wrote a song together. But, being in the “Beat Me Ups” was the first time I was ever in a band and it was mostly for Steve. We just wanted to play his stuff. But I was fortunate to be able to contribute a few songs. It was when I wrote “Happier Girl” and that was my only real claim to fame at that time. I think really the music was similar.
FEMMUSIC: What advice would you give young female musicians? What would you like to see happen for women in music?
LARIZZA:No advice, Just encouragement. Have passion and respect for music if that’s what you really want to do. Most of us just can’t help that. I guess I did have a little advice.
You can check out the band’s website at www.wellville.nf There, you can access their merchandise, discography, news and photos.