This Friday night Lisa Dank is bringing electronic music to The Jet Bar and Grill in Mill Creek and she is ready dance. Not only is it her first time performing at The Jet but she will also be celebrating her 25th birthday and performing a new song for the first time.
In case you haven’t guessed, “Lisa Dank” is not here real name but an alter ego that Juliane Popelka created to take to the stage for her electronic music career. Recently I got a chance to talk with Juliane about where Lisa Dank came from, her upcoming show at The Jet and her stance on the marijuana reform initiative I-502.
Here it is.
Me: Where did Lisa Dank come from?
Juliane: In late 2008 I had a garage, soul, jam thing that I was doing and it was fun. We would play house parties and I got in a lot of trouble at one of them. I decided I can’t do this rock and roll stuff anymore. There was too much gear and at the time I was really into electronic music. I realized that I just wanted to make electronic music.
One night after that I was free styling with some friends and said “(screw) Aretha Frank, I’m Lisa Dank” and a lightbulb went off in my head. I told a guy I was on a date with that I wanted to make electronic music and have an alter ego. I ran a few names by him and when I got to Lisa Dank he said “oh yeah, that’s the one.”
At first the music sounded pretty terrible because I didn’t know what I was doing at that point. I started singing the songs at open mic nights and this club owner told me to come back every week with a new song and that’s what I did.
Me: I have heard that your live show is a bit of a spectacle with costumes and dancers. Is that as important to experiencing you live as the music is?
Juliane: Whoever told you that hasn’t seen me lately. We are living in a post spectacle era. Lady Gaga already did that. Nobody comes close so why would you try. At the end of the day that’s not what I embody. I embody a rebellious, downtrodden northwest spirit. I’m not Hollywood and glamor or pop music. I’m trying to embody the spirit of my people which are medical marijuana children of the future who are making progress.
Me: Are you getting excited about your first show at The Jet?
Juliane: Yeah! That day is the dawning of the age of aquarius. Half way through that day is the time I was born and it’s when aquarius becomes aquarius and not capricorn. That’s my celebration where aquarian people are wild and free.
A couple of days before is when my new single “New York Club Vol. 2” comes out. The guy I made it with makes a lot of really respected and well received stuff in club music. This will be the first time I play the song live. Mostly I’m just really excited because it’s my birthday and I’ve never played at The Jet.
Me: Is there anything else you want people to know about?
Juliane: I want them to all vote no on I-502. Read the fine print. It’s a trap. I am very concerned because I support marijuana legalization but this is a trap and it’s a step in the wrong direction.
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