Lisa Jo doesn’t describe herself as a singer anymore. Instead, she calls herself a songwriter and producer, a shift shaped by loss, illness and a determination to keep creating.
Working under her independent label, SoundPulse Record Label LLC, Jo writes lyrics and produces beats for every track she releases. While she collaborates with various vocalists, she is actively searching for permanent band members to build a consistent creative team and expand her sound.
Before music became her full-time focus, Jo spent most of her adult life in health care, serving as a nurse supervisor and later working for the New York State Department of Health. But even then, she says, music remained her passion.
Her life changed dramatically in recent years. Widowed unexpectedly while battling multiple myeloma, Jo later faced a second diagnosis of lymphoma affecting her head and neck. The illness damaged her vocal cords, ending any possibility of a singing career and forcing her into early retirement.
Rather than stepping away from creativity, Jo redirected her energy. She had already found success as an author, publishing the No. 1 new release memoir, The Hands that Held Me, and contributing medical research articles to peer-reviewed journals that are now used in professional training.
“With writing, I realized I could still do what I love,” she said. “Music didn’t have to end just because I couldn’t sing.”
Jo is now gaining attention for her music releases, including “Lod of the Night” and “Beast with Rage,” which she says have received strong positive feedback despite her being new to the industry.
Her path has not been easy. Alongside her health challenges, Jo has endured the loss of multiple close family members and friends within a short span of time. She also continues to care for two disabled sisters, managing daily responsibilities while coping with grief and illness.
Even so, she remains committed to her work and her independence. Jo says she has no interest in signing with a label that would limit her creative control.
“I create what inspires me,” she said. “If it doesn’t come from my soul, it won’t come from me at all.”
She envisions continuing her work from her home near the Florida coast, drawing inspiration from the natural surroundings of her lakeside property. Her music reflects a wide range of emotions, from anger and grief to joy and wonder.
Jo’s goal is simple: to connect.
“I want people to hear where my music comes from,” she said. “If it helps them process their own emotions, good or bad, then I’ve done what I set out to do.”
As she continues releasing new material, Jo says listeners can expect variety. While her rap tracks have gained early traction, she plans to explore multiple genres, including country, rock, blues, folk, soul and pop.
For Jo, each song reflects her state of mind in the moment.
“Always expect the unexpected,” she said.