Vintage Interview: Lisa Febre: 28th January 2007

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Between 1999 and 2009 Lightsabre.co.uk brought news, fanfic, podcasts and much, much more to the masses. Our sixty-first guest is a great musician and a great lady – Lisa Febre.

Lightsabre – Lisa, welcome to Lightsabre.

LJ – It’s great to be here! It’s amazing how fast one can travel over the pond these days

Lightsabre – You’ve managed to become quite a name on the official blogs with your stories of real life and how Star Wars seeps its way into it. How good does it feel to get recognition for this?

LJ – At first it was really strange – I couldn’t imagine why people even cared to read what I had to say. But as the popularity of the blog increased, so did my desire to improve my writing skills & style, and in many ways, how could I traumatize a perfectly normal situation!!

Lightsabre – Tell us something about yourself. What do you do for a living?

LJ – I’m a musician, an oboist. I mostly freelance – basically go wherever I’m needed. I also play flute, saxophone, piano and clarinet, so I play musical theater quite a bit. Right now, I teach 3 days a week at a private music school here in town, freelance & also am a sub in the Phantom of the Opera production down on the strip.

Lightsabre – What is it like to be a part of the Star Wars phenomenon?

LJ – I’ve never known a life without Star Wars, so being a part of the online community makes me feel somewhat “official.” In so many ways I feel like we’re just a big family – on the site, in real life, wherever. It’s cool to have an outlet for an obsession and to be able to share in that obsession with so many other people. In many ways, it makes me feel normal!

Lightsabre – You’re a working musician – hence the name Oboe-Wan – living in Las Vegas. This must be a fascinating place to live and work?

LJ – It has been an incredible experience to move to Vegas. We came here with the hope of finding a better life for ourselves and in the short 8 months we’ve been here it’s feeling more and more like a reality. It’s really an amazing city to live in. I think because most people here have relocated from somewhere else, everyone is looking to make friends & contacts. Everyone we’ve meet have been outgoing and friendly and the other musicians were quick to accept me into their circle. The weather is of course gorgeous 99% of the time and the landscape is astounding. People tend to think of Vegas as just the strip, but there’s a whole world out there to discover, lots of great hiking & exploring to do. For average Joes like us, it’s relatively cheap. I’d just like to give a shout out to all the tourists who pay our taxes…

Lightsabre – What were your feelings on Revenge of the Sith? Did it satisfy your fan appetite, or simply whet it for more adventures to come?

LJ – There were some things in Revenge of the Sith that totally surprised me (like Padme’s death), but watching Anakin descend from Jedi to Sith was incredible. It wasn’t about evil actions, it was about manipulation – how one man can ruin his life and the entire balance of the galaxy with poor choices. It’s really a lesson on thinking for yourself, retaining your individuality and remembering that our teachers really do know more than us sometimes! Otherwise, the “third” movie was a great way to end the saga. After watching it, I always feel ready to go on to A New Hope and finish out the saga.

Lightsabre – You’ve released two CD’s, Simple Things and Complications. Where do you get the inspiration for your music?

LJ – Simple Things seemed more like an observational collection. Almost like I was afraid to turn that eye inward… so I wrote about things I saw happening in my friends’ lives, movies & books. For example the first track “Take Me Away” is based on the character Eowyn from Lord of the Rings. Complications, though, seems to be taking a more personal turn. After our move, I was able to step back & reflect on the last 10 years of my life & write about friends I’ve had, still have, events I experienced or things going on in my own life. The title song “Complications” is actually written about all my friends i’ve met online at sw.com and how they brought me out of my funk. Simple Things was put to print back in December 2005 – it took me almost 18 months to complete. I began Complications in September 2006 and am hoping to have it finished by the end of 2007.

Lightsabre – Which of the myriad Star Wars characters do you feel the most affinity for?

LJ – I’ve always felt like I identify the closest with Princess Leia. I do tend to take charge of any situation I’m in, but also have a deep, deep loyalty to my friends just as she did. Yes, if I were in her place on the Death Star faced with that torture droid, I would have done the same as her. Probably with a few extra screams, though, and my hair wouldn’t look quite as good.

Lightsabre – Tell us something of your other interests outside of Star Wars?

LJ – The biggest thing is yoga. I have practiced yoga for 9 years now, and the last 3 have been solely dedicated to Ashtanga. I practice the primary series 5 days a week, am vegetarian & try my hardest to be the change I want to see in the world. The other thing I enjoy just as much as Star Wars has to be baking! Currently, my chocolate chip cookies hold the “World’s Best Cookie” title among my friends and family. I’m hoping to go national someday. Maybe I’ll include a tin of cookies with each CD purchased…

Lightsabre – With the new television series on the way, what are you expecting to see?

LJ – I’m going into this with a really open mind. I know we won’t get to see any of the main characters we’re all familiar with, so I’m hoping to see some of the “underground” movement, the birth of the rebellion. In fact, I’m hoping it will be a Star Wars spin-off of the movie Top Secret.

Lightsabre – If there was one thing you could change about the two trilogies, what would it be?

LJ – One thing that bothers me the most about the PT is the need to “tie in” to the OT. So one thing I would have changed was C-3PO and R2-D2 in the PT. I like how “random” they feel at the beginning of A New Hope – like accidental messengers. Having them in the PT obviously destroys that – especially this idea that Anakin built 3PO! In the OT… I would love to see a newly CG choreographed lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader at the end of A New Hope. With that awesome duel at the end of Revenge of the Sith, I almost feel like Obi-Wan deserves a more dramatic death.

Lightsabre – What lies ahead for you in the future?

LJ – Right now I’m trying very hard to just establish myself here in Vegas. I feel like I’ve made some great contacts and am getting work. I’d love to have a permanent gig and with all the Broadway shows here, I feel like that isn’t out of the realm of possibilities. But of course, playing hostess to anyone who wanders into my Hive of Scum & Villainy (aka Las Vegas) is always high on my priority list! So far, I have met four www.starwars.com friends in Vegas.

Lightsabre – A quick question about our site, Lightsabre. Any comments?

LJ – I love it! Setnin Radio has been one of my favorite parts of the site. But it has been great to read the interviews and articles. I’m jealous that you have contact with so many cool people I’m so honored that you have asked me these questions!

Lightsabre – It’s been a great interview, and thanks for being our guest on Lightsabre. Just one final question. You, The Stooge and Dark Moose are the last three contestants remaining on The Weakest Link. Anne Robinson is banging out the quick-fire questions, and at the end of the round one of you must be eliminated. It’s not always the weakest link that is ejected, so who do you vote for, who goes and why?

LJ – Dark Moose. Because if there’s any chance of getting to meet George Lucas, I must keep Stooge close at hand.

This interview was originally published on lightsabre.co.uk on 28th January 2007.

Mark Newbold
Mark Newbold
A fan of the saga since 1978, Mark began in fan fiction in 1982 and since then has written for Star Wars Insider, StarWars.com, Star Wars Encyclopedia, Build The Millennium Falcon, Geeky Monkey, TV Film Memorabilia, Model and Collectors Mart, Star Trek magazine, StarTrek.com and Starburst as well as being a four-time Star Wars Celebration Stage host. He is the Daily Content Manager of Fantha Tracks and the co-host of Making Tracks and Start Your Engines on Fantha Tracks Radio.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Between 1999 and 2009 Lightsabre.co.uk brought news, fanfic, podcasts and much, much more to the masses. Our sixty-first guest is a great musician and a great lady – Lisa Febre.

Lightsabre – Lisa, welcome to Lightsabre.

LJ – It’s great to be here! It’s amazing how fast one can travel over the pond these days

Lightsabre – You’ve managed to become quite a name on the official blogs with your stories of real life and how Star Wars seeps its way into it. How good does it feel to get recognition for this?

LJ – At first it was really strange – I couldn’t imagine why people even cared to read what I had to say. But as the popularity of the blog increased, so did my desire to improve my writing skills & style, and in many ways, how could I traumatize a perfectly normal situation!!

Lightsabre – Tell us something about yourself. What do you do for a living?

LJ – I’m a musician, an oboist. I mostly freelance – basically go wherever I’m needed. I also play flute, saxophone, piano and clarinet, so I play musical theater quite a bit. Right now, I teach 3 days a week at a private music school here in town, freelance & also am a sub in the Phantom of the Opera production down on the strip.

Lightsabre – What is it like to be a part of the Star Wars phenomenon?

LJ – I’ve never known a life without Star Wars, so being a part of the online community makes me feel somewhat “official.” In so many ways I feel like we’re just a big family – on the site, in real life, wherever. It’s cool to have an outlet for an obsession and to be able to share in that obsession with so many other people. In many ways, it makes me feel normal!

Lightsabre – You’re a working musician – hence the name Oboe-Wan – living in Las Vegas. This must be a fascinating place to live and work?

LJ – It has been an incredible experience to move to Vegas. We came here with the hope of finding a better life for ourselves and in the short 8 months we’ve been here it’s feeling more and more like a reality. It’s really an amazing city to live in. I think because most people here have relocated from somewhere else, everyone is looking to make friends & contacts. Everyone we’ve meet have been outgoing and friendly and the other musicians were quick to accept me into their circle. The weather is of course gorgeous 99% of the time and the landscape is astounding. People tend to think of Vegas as just the strip, but there’s a whole world out there to discover, lots of great hiking & exploring to do. For average Joes like us, it’s relatively cheap. I’d just like to give a shout out to all the tourists who pay our taxes…

Lightsabre – What were your feelings on Revenge of the Sith? Did it satisfy your fan appetite, or simply whet it for more adventures to come?

LJ – There were some things in Revenge of the Sith that totally surprised me (like Padme’s death), but watching Anakin descend from Jedi to Sith was incredible. It wasn’t about evil actions, it was about manipulation – how one man can ruin his life and the entire balance of the galaxy with poor choices. It’s really a lesson on thinking for yourself, retaining your individuality and remembering that our teachers really do know more than us sometimes! Otherwise, the “third” movie was a great way to end the saga. After watching it, I always feel ready to go on to A New Hope and finish out the saga.

Lightsabre – You’ve released two CD’s, Simple Things and Complications. Where do you get the inspiration for your music?

LJ – Simple Things seemed more like an observational collection. Almost like I was afraid to turn that eye inward… so I wrote about things I saw happening in my friends’ lives, movies & books. For example the first track “Take Me Away” is based on the character Eowyn from Lord of the Rings. Complications, though, seems to be taking a more personal turn. After our move, I was able to step back & reflect on the last 10 years of my life & write about friends I’ve had, still have, events I experienced or things going on in my own life. The title song “Complications” is actually written about all my friends i’ve met online at sw.com and how they brought me out of my funk. Simple Things was put to print back in December 2005 – it took me almost 18 months to complete. I began Complications in September 2006 and am hoping to have it finished by the end of 2007.

Lightsabre – Which of the myriad Star Wars characters do you feel the most affinity for?

LJ – I’ve always felt like I identify the closest with Princess Leia. I do tend to take charge of any situation I’m in, but also have a deep, deep loyalty to my friends just as she did. Yes, if I were in her place on the Death Star faced with that torture droid, I would have done the same as her. Probably with a few extra screams, though, and my hair wouldn’t look quite as good.

Lightsabre – Tell us something of your other interests outside of Star Wars?

LJ – The biggest thing is yoga. I have practiced yoga for 9 years now, and the last 3 have been solely dedicated to Ashtanga. I practice the primary series 5 days a week, am vegetarian & try my hardest to be the change I want to see in the world. The other thing I enjoy just as much as Star Wars has to be baking! Currently, my chocolate chip cookies hold the “World’s Best Cookie” title among my friends and family. I’m hoping to go national someday. Maybe I’ll include a tin of cookies with each CD purchased…

Lightsabre – With the new television series on the way, what are you expecting to see?

LJ – I’m going into this with a really open mind. I know we won’t get to see any of the main characters we’re all familiar with, so I’m hoping to see some of the “underground” movement, the birth of the rebellion. In fact, I’m hoping it will be a Star Wars spin-off of the movie Top Secret.

Lightsabre – If there was one thing you could change about the two trilogies, what would it be?

LJ – One thing that bothers me the most about the PT is the need to “tie in” to the OT. So one thing I would have changed was C-3PO and R2-D2 in the PT. I like how “random” they feel at the beginning of A New Hope – like accidental messengers. Having them in the PT obviously destroys that – especially this idea that Anakin built 3PO! In the OT… I would love to see a newly CG choreographed lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader at the end of A New Hope. With that awesome duel at the end of Revenge of the Sith, I almost feel like Obi-Wan deserves a more dramatic death.

Lightsabre – What lies ahead for you in the future?

LJ – Right now I’m trying very hard to just establish myself here in Vegas. I feel like I’ve made some great contacts and am getting work. I’d love to have a permanent gig and with all the Broadway shows here, I feel like that isn’t out of the realm of possibilities. But of course, playing hostess to anyone who wanders into my Hive of Scum & Villainy (aka Las Vegas) is always high on my priority list! So far, I have met four www.starwars.com friends in Vegas.

Lightsabre – A quick question about our site, Lightsabre. Any comments?

LJ – I love it! Setnin Radio has been one of my favorite parts of the site. But it has been great to read the interviews and articles. I’m jealous that you have contact with so many cool people I’m so honored that you have asked me these questions!

Lightsabre – It’s been a great interview, and thanks for being our guest on Lightsabre. Just one final question. You, The Stooge and Dark Moose are the last three contestants remaining on The Weakest Link. Anne Robinson is banging out the quick-fire questions, and at the end of the round one of you must be eliminated. It’s not always the weakest link that is ejected, so who do you vote for, who goes and why?

LJ – Dark Moose. Because if there’s any chance of getting to meet George Lucas, I must keep Stooge close at hand.

This interview was originally published on lightsabre.co.uk on 28th January 2007.

Mark Newbold
Mark Newbold
A fan of the saga since 1978, Mark began in fan fiction in 1982 and since then has written for Star Wars Insider, StarWars.com, Star Wars Encyclopedia, Build The Millennium Falcon, Geeky Monkey, TV Film Memorabilia, Model and Collectors Mart, Star Trek magazine, StarTrek.com and Starburst as well as being a four-time Star Wars Celebration Stage host. He is the Daily Content Manager of Fantha Tracks and the co-host of Making Tracks and Start Your Engines on Fantha Tracks Radio.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Privacy Settings saved!
Privacy Settings

When you visit any web site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Control your personal Cookie Services here.

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

In order to use this website we use the following technically required cookies
  • wordpress_test_cookie
  • wordpress_logged_in_
  • wordpress_sec

We use Google AdSense to show online advertisements on our website.
  • _tlc
  • _tli
  • _tlp
  • _tlv
  • DSID
  • id
  • IDE

For performance reasons we use OneSignal as a notification service.  This saves a number of cookies in order to apply notifcation services on a per-client basis. These cookies are strictly necessary for OneSignal's notification features.  It is essential to the service that these are not turned off.
  • _OneSignal_session
  • __cfduid
  • _ga
  • _gid

Fantha Tracks is reader-supported.  When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

We use Media Net to show online advertisements on our website.
  • SESS#

Decline all Services
Accept all Services