About Lisa Torem

Author/journalist/musician Lisa Torem analyzed the studio work of triple-threat artists: Tori Amos, Billy Joel and Suzanne Vega for the Sonicbond On Track Series and co-authored Through The Eye of The Tiger and All That Glitters: The Ava Cherry Story.

Beyond interviewing, among others, members of Yes, The Animals, The Zombies, The Kinks, Cream, Thin Lizzy, Wings, Jethro Tull, plus Dave Brubeck, Darlene Love, Donovan, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Judy Collins, etc., she crawled through a window to talk to Jimmy Webb without breaking one bone. The native Chicagoan critiques music books for pennyblackmusic’s Raging Pages, where she is a staff writer.

Lisa comps in a big band which features her latest jazz ballad. Several original compositions grace indie films. American Women Composers orchestrated tracks from her multi-cultural collection, Singlish. Her one-act Dog Sharing, appeared at NY’s Love Creek Theater.

Articles, Reviews & Features Published in:

  • The Chicago Reader

  • New City Magazine

  • The Big Takeover

  • American Blues Scene

  • Windy City Times

  • Grateful Web

  • Popmatters

  • Inside Publications

  • Chicago Parent Magazine

  • The War Horse

  • Penny Black Music.

Lisa with Dweezil Zappa Photo cred: Phillip Solomonson

Lisa with Mark Farner
Photo cred: Phillip Solomonson

Podcast/Radio interviews

  • Huntley Community Radio with Jim Eggers, producer, and “That Classic Rock” hosts: Jim Summaria and Marc Plotnik, (Parts 1 & 2), 10/11/2021

  • Talk Radio Europe, Lifestyles with Selena MacKenzie, 8/15/2023, 5/03/2023

  • WZRD with host Trudy Loeung, 10/18/2021 and with host Meagan Panici: 09/2022 and 10/26/2023

  • Harford County Living, harfordcountyliving.com, Conversations with Rich Bennett, 07/12/2023

  • Booked On Rock Podcast, with host Erich Senich:

    • “Billy Joel: Every Album, Every Song,” (Episode 80), 09/01/2022

    • “Suzanne Vega: Every Album, Every Song,” (Episode 148), 8/17/2023

    • “Tori Amos: Every Album, Every Song,” (Episode 115), 02/25/2023

  • Love That Album podcast with host Maurice Bursztynski, 10/13/2023,

Author Presentations

  • The Book Cellar

  • Roscoe Books

  • The Fest for Beatles Fans, 2022

  • Louder Than Words Festival, November
    10-12, 2023: Moderator with John Philip Shenale

  • Author presentation moderated by Solomon Morrison

  • Music journalism panelist with Solomon Morrison

Special Press Engagements:

  • Ringo Starr Birthday, Hard Rock Café, Chicago, Il.

  • Inaugural “Sixth Man” 1950s cruise, Florida,

  • David Bowie Is Exhibit, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, Il.

  • Chicago Humanities Festival, articles on Patti Smith and Tori Amos

  • Riot Fest, EDM Fest, Chicago, IL

  • Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp (2010)

Lisa with Collin Hay
Photo cred: Phillip Solomonson

Lisa with Vintage Trouble
Photo cred: Phillip Solomonson