Songwriter, singer & pianist helping artists turn rough ideas into finished songs. Lyrics, melodies, chords, vocals, harmonies & keys — I can jump in wherever your song needs help. 4x APRA Silver Scroll finalist with numerous film & TV syncs. Featured in Rolling Stone AU/NZ & Stereogum.
I'm a New Zealand-born songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles, working across indie pop, singer-songwriter, pop and alternative music.
I can help with lyrics, toplines, melodies, chords, structure and arrangement, as well as lead vocals, harmonies and piano/keys. Whether you have a lyric, voice memo, instrumental or nearly finished song, I love finding what's missing and helping bring it to life.
I've worked professionally in music for 20+ years as a songwriter, recording artist, session musician and performer. I'm a 4x APRA Silver Scroll finalist, with original music placed across film, TV and advertising including Netflix, NBC, FOX and The CW. I've also worked on X Factor and NBC's This Is Us, and have been featured by Rolling Stone AU/NZ, Stereogum, NPR and KCRW.
Piano/keys is my main instrument, but I also play clarinet, recorder and Omnichord, plus some guitar and bass. Being a multi-instrumentalist gives me a broader perspective on songwriting and arrangement.
My approach is collaborative and song-first. I want to understand what makes your song yours, then help you find its strongest version.
Send me what you have and let's make something great!
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
Languages
- English
- Japanese
Endorse Lisa C50 Reviews - 9 Repeat Clients
check_circleVerifiedLisa and my son Stephen Thomas have been working together on songwritting and she has been a wonderful and great mentor for him learning the process of songwritting.
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Lisa has been a joy to work with my son is learning songwritting and she is doing a wonderful job teaching him and working towards original music.
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This was my son's Stephen Thomas's 3rd writting session with Lisa and its going great. He is learning a ton about song writting in the process of writting his first song for release.
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My sons had his 2nd session with Lisa and it is going amazing. They have really made a connection and are moving forward on the project he is learning a lot and it has been a great experience.
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My son Stephen Thomas had his first song writting/colaboration session with Lisa and it went great! He is a crooner style singer and him and Lisa had an instant comfortable connection. They are working together writting a couple of songs and she is teaching him about the process of taking an idea and following it through to completion. He is truly looking forward to working with her and we have already booked thier next session.
check_circleVerifiedGreat to work with and generous with her amazing talents!!
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Lisa creates beautiful work!!
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Wonderful to work with! Treated the words and scope of project with care and professionalism. So happy the way its turned out.
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Lisa did again that litlle extra that makes the difference!
Let the magic happen. - check_circleVerified
Once again, Lisa was super efficient and did that little extra that took the whole song to the next level!
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Lisa is such a talented person to nail the message that you want to get through as also fantastic musician. Looking forward to the next collaboration.
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Lisa is a gifted songwriter/songwriter, can write interesting and beautiful melodies, chord progressions, and is a talented vocalist. She is a wonderful collaborator, communicates efficiently, and is a complete professional. Work with her if you want a stellar outcome on your project. I can't wait to work with her again!
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Lisa is a Star. She always comes with that little thing that brings your ideas to the next level. Fast, agile and attentive to your demand, 100% highly recommended.
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Lisa is an extremely talented and gifted, musician, songwriter and singer. She is patient, professional, and I highly recommend her!
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Once again it was a great pleasure to work with Lisa. She came with the perfect top line and lyrics, at full service of the song.
With Lisa you will get what you're looking for.
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Outstanding, Lisa is a terrific lyricist. Professional, she understands the process of what’s needed.
I highly recommend her! 5 stars. - check_circleVerified
Working with Lisa was a fantastic and rewarding collaborative experience. She is extremely talented, professional, and experienced as a songwriter, and vocalist. She nailed the melodies immediately, and was very flexible with the minor changes suggested. Work with her if you have the chance! I look forward to our next collaboration.
check_circleVerifiedWorking with Lisa was an absolute joy. She is a brilliant musician and writer, and a wonderful collaborator. She communicated efficiently and was kind about answering all questions I may have had about the project. She worked incredibly quickly even amidst technology issues out of her control. I would absolutely recommend Lisa to anyone, and wouldn't hesitate to work with her again. She is truly incredible. Thank you!
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Perfect collaboration with Lisa, once again. Lisa always finds the little details that elevate songs and takes them to the next level!
check_circleVerifiedLisa is very professional songwriter, it's so great to work with!
Interview with Lisa C
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both have their merits! Analog (Vinyl) sounds more alive, more dynamic, more "nuanced". Digital has more bass and a little more detailed high frequencies...I am a sucker for the vintage sound but every project is different!
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I recently scored a series called 'Ex Sisters-In-Law'. I love writing music to picture and how music can bring so much to a story.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The feeling when someone is over the moon with their song and getting to be a part of that!
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: My rates (which are on my profile), if they can release the song and how to go about getting it out to the world - I try to be as helpful and encouraging as possible and share my knowledge of being a self managed artist in the music industry as well as an experienced musician.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Who are your influences? What is your vocal range? Will this be used for commercial release? What are your goals and plans for the track?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Do your homework and research who you are hiring to make sure they're the best match for your project! Don't be scared to ask specific questions, most of us are very happy to go the extra mile to make sure you're comfortable and excited about us working with you on your project!
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: My third full length album. Scoring a web series. Recent singles under my own name (Lisa Crawley) include 'See Me Soon', 'Show You What Love Is' and 'Clear History'.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Mark Rudin and Rob Kleiner are both brilliant producers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I understand how important and personal these projects can be to clients - I'll be sure to bring my best to your project as if it were my own!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Sometimes people don't realise that I am a versatile musician who has arranged music for orchestras, strings, brass and woodwind!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: An acoustic piano (providing I didn't have to carry it), my Suzuki Q-chord, my little Martin guitar, clarinet and a voice recorder to get down those ideas!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Music has been a lifelong passion, I've been doing it professionally for 17 years now and can't imagine anything doing else!
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Vocally - Indie/pop with a soulful edge. Musically, I have experience across all genres as a session musician - pop, rock, honky tonk, jazz etc!
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would love to work with Lana Del Rey - I love her production style, insightful lyrics and arrangements
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: It's about the notes you don't play as well as the ones that you do!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: All sorts! A lot of lyrics and music for singer songwriters, quirky indie pop, ballads and soul/r&b
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Playing by ear, creating a song that's interesting while remaining accessible to audiences.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A combination of years of experience with a fresh approach! Catchy and memorable melodies. Musicality and clever, insightful lyrics.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Find out what each client wants - no job is the same! Research their influences and any material they provide before starting. Then depending on the job I'll put pen to paper or load up a session in Logic and start creating melodies!
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a Neve Preamp Avalon Compressor, a Universal Audio Compressor and a U87, U89 & 103 and Joemeek condensor mic selection. I primarily use Logic Audio and have a Nord Electro 6D and an upright piano.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: My tastes are very ecclectic, I'm inspired both musically and production wise by The Beatles, Sia, Michael Kiwanuka, Sara Bareilles and Jon Brion
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: My most common work is writing lyrics, vocal melody and the music (piano/chords).
I was the Songwriter, vocalist and played piano, organ, clarinets and omnichords in this production
- Songwriter - LyricAverage price - $300 per song
- Songwriter - MusicAverage price - $300 per song
- Top line writer (vocal melody)Average price - $250 per song
- Singer - FemaleAverage price - $250 per song
- PianoAverage price - $200 per song
- Keyboards - SynthAverage price - $150 per song
- ClarinetAverage price - $150 per song
I maintain publishing rights unless discussed. If wanting a 'work for hire' arrangement please specify. My turnaround time is around 5 days but am flexible. Two free revisions then $40/revision
- Norah Jones
- Sara Bareilles
- Amy Winehouse
- Monheim Kreme tube condenser + preamp
- Joemeek & RØDE mics
- Scarlett 18i20
- Nord Electro 6D
- Omnichord OM-108
- Höfner bass
- Little Martin guitar
- clarinets
- melodicas
- recorders + plugins.
- Featured in Rolling Stone AU/NZSep 18, 2026
Rolling Stone AU/NZ recently featured me in its Making Music, Making Ends Meet series, looking at my career as an independent artist and working musician in Los Angeles. My latest single “Hurry Up and Wait,” produced by Rob Kleiner, was also selected for Rolling Stone’s Best New Music roundup.
https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/lisa-crawley-making-music-making-ends-meet-99707/ - 'Best Thing In The Room' nominated for APRA Silver Scroll AwardAug 18, 2020
Lisa Crawley's 'Best Thing In The Room'' has been nominated for this years Silver Scroll Award. The Silver Scroll Award is New Zealand’s most prestigious songwriting award, recognising outstanding achievement in the craft of songwriting.
Past winners include Aldous Harding, Marlon Williams, Lorde and Bic Runga.
See the full list of finalists here
