LANIECE SCHLEICHER, MAMA LENNY OF MAMA LENNY & THE REMEDY

LANIECE SCHLEICHER, MAMA LENNY OF MAMA LENNY & THE REMEDY
discusses how she got her start in music, and shares with us what
influences her musically and how she warms up for a big show.
“I always sang; in Church with friends,
in school choir, but singing with a band
started as a fluke. I was cleaning tables at
the Roadhouse, (a bar in Lincoln Nebraska,)
and we had an open stage/blues jam on
Sunday nights. Pickle was playing “Black
Bird,” and I was singing along with it. He
motioned me to come on stage and sing, so
I did. When I was done, my friend Josh Hoyer
gave me this bewildered look and asked me
if I’d learn a couple songs for a show they
were playing at the Zoo bar the next week.
I did and shortly after, I was asked to join
the Magnificent 7. From there, I sang with
anyone who would let me. I started to write
lyrics and songs. I had the pleasure of singing
with and learning from Magic Slim, Nick
Holt Sean Benjamin among others. Eventually,
Magnificent 7 transformed into Electric
Soul Method, and that was who I played
with primarily until I moved to Colorado in
2006. When the Kris Lager band was passing
through, they asked if I’d join them for a few
songs at their show at Hodi’s. That’s the
night Mama Lenny and the Remedy became
a possibility. Ben and Ken cornered me after
the show and asked me if I’d start a band
with them… the rest is history.
“Anything that I listen to influences my
music, because you’ll hear different ideas on
structure of verses and how things sound, as
well as different harmonies people use and
places their putting harmonies and different
grooves. Anything you surround yourself
with is influencing you on some level.
“To warm up before a big show I do scales
for days and hot tea. Especially right before
a show, like an hour before, because it’s
like stretching a muscle. I growl a lot and if
I don’t then I’m hoarse afterwards. It’s such
a special gift and I want my voice to last. It’s
just like a horn player warming up, or guitar
player tuning his guitar. Drinking hot tea or
honey and water also helps, and I try not
to drink too much booze or talk too loudly
before we play. If I don’t warm up, it’s obvious
to me.”