The Fiona Lehn Underground Band is centered
around one awesome singer/songwriter- Fiona Lehn.
The band makes an awesome blend of folksy rootsy
rock.  Their latest album is called “Boarder”, and it is
the first one recorded with the band.
 

What are your feelings on the Lilith Fair? Is it better in idea
than in  practice?

I think that it is a great idea to have a summer tour with most or
all women headliners--as we all know, this is usually NOT the
case. I also think it is a great idea to have local unknown acts
play at each tour stop, however I find it ironic and
disappointing that the local acts are basically chosen by
“political pull” rather than by talent, if you get my drift. It's the
man's way of doing things all over again. I realize Lilith never
claimed to do things differently from the male-defined norm,
but I did expect it. (I guess I expect too much?!)
Also, I heard a local act play at Lilith the first summer, and it
was a woman-fronted band, but they were covering a Nirvana
tune. now I dig Nirvana, but I was let down by that--I guess I
am a purist in the sense that I figured folks would be doing
original stuff, or stuff by other women--nevertheless, it is
inspiring to see so many great women performers in one
show--definitely a good thing, with a few bugs to work out.

Do you feel that it's more difficult to gain recognition
because of your gender?

Not necessarily. I think it's more difficult to be taken seriously
as a musician, sometimes, but I don't think my gender effects
the recognition factor.

How would you describe your music to someone who's never
heard it?

I would say , if Jackson Browne and Maria McKee had a
baby--the result would be pretty close to my music. :)
 

What's the best thing about having a band?

The best thing is the magic that happens in a band, between the
players, that is--the chemistry, the support (both personally and
professionally)--it's loud, fun, and challenging, to keep the
music together and to keep the players' lives in sync. It's also
way more fun and way less stressful being on the road with
folks you know and trust, as opposed to being on the road alone.

You appear on the Go On Girl 2 disc put out by Fret Free
Music. Is it alright to celebrate women in music as long as it
doesn't become a separate genre?

I think separatism has its time and place--(really, I do!)--in all
aspects of life. I also think there is already a separate genre of
women's music, which really started in the 60s and 70s with
Holly Near and many other women, mostly lesbians. And that
genre is still going strong, in women's music festivals all over
the country and I'm sure all over the world too. A separate
genre of music by women can be a real healing and
enlightening and entertaining thing--it IS necessary and yet it
doesn't negate all the other music which women write/perform
in other genres.

Since women in music is supposedly becoming a trend, will it
fizzle out and die, or will it become the norm? It's difficult to
believe women might get equal airplay someday.

Well, trends come and go, as we know, especially in this
business. Will women get equal airplay someday? I don't doubt
it. It just may be a long time coming, that's all. I think the
current woman trend will fade into the shadows a bit soon
enough, bit it will come round again and again, and equality in
the airwaves will eventually set in.

What music have you been listening to lately?

Lately, I've been listening to anything I can get my hands on,
but that's about normal for me! :)  Let's see...Jackson
Browne--he goes everywhere with me (whether he knows it or
not!) --some John Lennon, Francis Cabrel, Janis Ian--not much
brand new stuff--I go through phases where I listen to the faves
and then I might get some newer music, but then I pull out the
old faves again, etc.

Who are your influences?

Um...LOTS of folks! Blondie, Queen, old Yes, Joni Mitchell,
Karen Carpenter (#1 influence--she made me want to be a
singer), Rickie Lee Jones, Ultravox, Francis Cabrel, Laura
Nyro, Jackson Browne, John Waite, Janis Ian, The Pretenders,
Fleetwood Mac, XTC, Todd Rundgren, Maria McKee, Iris
DeMent, Joan Armatrading, Michelle Shocked, Crowded
House, many many more...