Exclusive Interview with Lillie Ruth Bussey

GRP blogger Morgan asked our lunchtime guest Lillie Ruth Bussey a few questions: 

1. What made you want to start playing music? 
— I guess a collective of things… listening to music and seeing people around me playing instruments and getting inspired by those folks. Saying “yeah, I want to play too!” Basically seeing my friends and family playing music all the time.

2. How long have you been playing?
— Out and about as Lillie Ruth Bussey? Or just playing music? How old am I… 28? Probably about 13 years or so. Always playing music. I started playing clarinet in 4th grade, I don’t know if that counts…
Morgan: I play clarinet!
Caroline: (laughs) I play clarinet too.
Props to the clarinet. But, yeah, I’ve been playing out as Lillie Ruth Bussey for 5 years now.  

3. Do you enjoy performing, no matter where? 
— I do. It gives you a different feeling every time, different places you play. Just adapt what you’re doing to the space and it’s a good challenge.

4. How did you come up with your band name?
— My band name? My grandmom, that’s her name. She always wanted to be a performer, but she couldn’t be one, because at the time women weren’t really seen in the best of ways. So I’m giving her the space to kind of vicariously use me as the performer. Grandmom props.

5. What’s your favorite dessert?
— Oooooooooh chocolate chocolate chip ice cream. I love ice cream. Any ice cream except for mint chocolate chip, I can down.
Dione: I love mint chocolate chip!
— Ugh I HATE that one.

6. If you never had the chance to perform, what would you be doing now? 
— I’d probably be taking a lot of photographs, that’s another thing I like to do.

7. What’s your favorite song that you play, and why?
— Hmm… right now, damn, I don’t even have a name for the song! How about “Heart You Protect,” that’s a fun song. It’s probably my favorite because I get to play a little drum machine, ukelele, and kazoo, all at the same time.
Morgan: Same time? That’s crazy!
— I know right, it’s pretty crazy

8. What’s your favorite color.
— Purple.
Morgan: Same!
— It’s awesome

9. What’s your favorite band, other than your own?
— Right now, one of my favorite bands is “Macaroni,” all the way from Chile.

10. What’s your favorite instrument?
— My favorite instrument… that’s a touch one. Hm. Maybe I should name one that’s not on stage so that no one feels any type of way. Let’s just go with drums. Drums are really awesome, every time I touch them it’s just like “AAAAHHH kssh kssh kssh.” I like to smash things. Not only on the drums though.