First Visit & Live Performances In California 2007 – Behind The Scenes Video
Today we’re hopping on a plane to travel back in time. To year 2007, California – United States of America. A time before YouTube and Social Media, for us anyway.
Luckily, our dad took plenty of videos of our time over there, capturing some of our earliest live performances ever, when we first got into playing and performing at the age of 13. A confusing age for sure, not quite kids anymore but definitely far from being adults. Awkward and self-conscious, yet captivated by two things: making music and trying to figure out who and what to become. Being a musician sounded like a fabulous plan, and in order to get there, playing music and learning how to perform in front of other people seemed crucial.
After decades of working in the Austrian music scene (as a producer, sound engineer, musician and studio owner), our dad knew all about the downsides of starting a musical career in Vienna. Besides providing a limited amount of opportunities for upcoming musicians to tap their toes into live performing, Austria’s audiences are also notorious for being hard to enthuse.
Not the best conditions for starting off a musical journey. Which is why dad had the idea of travelling to Los Angeles with us, to gather our first experiences in a place that would be a bit more embracing of live music, and encouraging to beginners. And boy, was he right!
Dad, Michaela and us packed our bags and hopped on a plane to the City of Angels in July 2007. We started our trip in LA and then made out way through the boarding States, visiting amazing sites in California, Nevada and Arizona. Besides making unforgettable memories in some of the national and theme parks, it also was the music that we came here for.We spent a lot of the vacation in LA, and it was time to get on some “stages” …We soon learned that “Open Mics” (short for “Open Microphone”) were a thing. We know that for most of you the idea of “Open Mics” is nothing outlandish, but for us it was like finding out that Hogwarts was real.
Places (restaurants, bars, cafes, etc.) we could go to, sign up, and play in front of some strangers whilst they are enjoying their coffee or dinner? It’s so funny thinking about it now, but we were really amazed by that concept. We didn’t have that in Austria, at least not that we knew of.
Our parents went online to find some open stages around town that we could perform at. Nervous but curious, we made our way to various venues all over Los Angeles to play a few songs to kind strangers and the other musicians, poets and comedians waiting for their turn.
We were always the youngest, struggling with our English, not at all accustomed to the Californian way of life, but we were running on adrenaline, and the waves of support and goodwill of hosts and other musicians who would also teach us cool new stuff. Remember the session with Dusty (RIP) who showed us blues … and how to roll up leads?
In those earlier videos we always look rather “serious” but we know is was actually just us being super nervous. In one of our interviews Lisa shares an anecdote from one of those Open Mic nights when she actually started crying because she was so overwhelmed with nerves. She talks about it more in this video (around minute 2:00). All that also happened during the 2007 USA trip.
As you can hear in the video, nope, we weren’t flawless Mozarts that were born with the gift of perfect pitch and staggering guitar skills. Like every other beginner, we were still pretty bad but we made our first steps towards becoming more confident on stage. We had gigs to practice for, an incentive to get better, and the reassurance and support of our parents and the friends we made while over there.
We love that Papa Rudi and Michaela encouraged us to do all that. After all, it wasn’t something we would have dared to do on our own at that age, but we’re so glad to have made these valuable memories. It gave us confidence while at the same time humbled and inspired us to get better.
It makes us happy to see how far we’ve come, and seeing these clips once again reminded us, that in order to get good at something, you will have to suck at it in the beginning. There is no way around that, and that’s totally okay. Enjoy the journey, celebrate the little victories and if possible, surround yourself with people that support who you are now, but even more importantly, who you want to become.
And then grind away … Every year down the line you’ll be a little closer to the artist you dream of being ♥
I can’t read all the comments tonight, because work comes early in the morning! I just finished watching the Livestream, which was so fun again listening to Lisa & Mona! (Mona & Lisa!) Besides the MLT Christmas CD, my favorite Holiday records go way back, & because I play trumpet are: 1.) The” Herb Alpert & the TJB Christmas Album” from 1968 — really nice arrangements!
2.) Al Hirt — “The Sound of Christmas,” 1965 — he sings a bit too & has a humorous gravelly voice, plus his virtuoso trumpet playing!
3.) Wynton Marsalis — “Crescent City Christmas Card,” 1989 — Great Jazz improv. on X-Mass Tunes! (I’ve met these 3 famous trumpeters!)
4.) Barbra Streisand — “A Christmas Album,” 1967. What can I say, it’s Barbra’s great voice! (You can hear all these on YouTube!)
Favorite songs of my students that we’ve sang in class & performed in concert are; “Feliz Navidad,” “Jingle Bells,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Deck the Hall,” “Happy Kwanzaa!” “Hanukkah,” “Happy X-Mass (War is Over,”) & others!
Also, I like to give Positive Random Comments to strangers because I’ve seen others do it & I know that it’s one way to spread good will!
I love the video of Lisa & Mona’s first experience singing in California. They’re So Cute, & sound So Good for their age Way Back When they were YOUNG!!
Thanks for your Livestream Mona & Lisa, & for the very positive subject matter! See you for the Saturday Livestream! — Bud J.
What a fascinating insight
So cool to see the beginning of your journey. I can only imagine the ideas swirling around in your heads on your way home and the days and weeks to follow. Many thanks to your parents for capturing these moments on film and pictures.
Yeah, die richtige Einstellung ist so wichtig. Ihr habe sie gefunden.
A wonderful tale of the beginning of the MonaLisa Twins. I could see it all unfolding in my mind. And, having grown up in a small town, so much is relatable to me.
The improvement from your first visit to the US and your second visit is amazing. You obviously worked hard. And, you still do. And, that’s why everything you do is exceptional.
Thank you for sharing with us. I have said before, I Found you in 2018 and wish I could of caught on earlier. I agree with others that you have a loving family and supportive family. Seeing these early video’s are so sweet. You both have grown so much, and we as your fans love following your steps along the way. My hats off to pop and Michella for showing you the path to follow. So many groups, artist come on like gang busters and fades away after 3 to 8 years, you ladies are doing everything right. Your own label for one, no pressure and you make sure what your putting out there is quality and not how many you need to put out in a certain time frame. For me? this is a dream to find you ladies, I love your music and spirit which has been lost in the USA for some time. And not to mention your original music. From your first release in 2012 to Orange! Oh yea did I mention that Count on Me is my favorite? LOL….I Know the world is crazy now but I so look forward to coming to the USA for a tour. Now that would be GROOVY!!
God bless the Mona Lisa Twins!
Bill Isenberg A Huge Fan from Pittsburgh PA USA
I can only say that I wish I had “found” you earlier. Your music is sublime, both the covers and your original music. Bonus is that you (appear to me) are a loving family, lovely people. Happy to be following your adventures now 🙂
When are you coming back to the U.S.A.? A tour perhaps… 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing this video ladies of your 2007 California trip. Really, really enjoyed it, and seeing all the places you went kind of struck a chord (pardon the pun) in me in a very special way as a lot of those places, I went to 3 years earlier with my family (one of the last all of us could do together) in a big mini-van. LA – Vegas – Death Valley – Grand Canyon – Bryce Canyon – Yosemite – San Francisco etc. A lot of extremely fond memories for me.
While I don’t ever want to seem like I am minimizing the amount of hard work, effort, blood, sweat, and tears you both put into honing your musical skills over those many years to absolute brilliance you’ve achieved thus far, I can still see a little Mozart in the both of you at 13 doing that first Open Mic performance. No matter how much work goes into honing your talent, there is that innate special musical talent that must exist that you were both born with, in much abundance, to work with that the vast majority of us could only dream of having. Always remember what you both have is extremely special. Please do share other videos you have from that time. Thanks again, as watching this certainly was the gem that made this long weekend special.
Yep Jung, I agree with everything you just said. And I live in the US, but I’ve never been to Death Valley, but have been to California many times. Merry Christmas! — Bud
What warm special memories indeed.
Here in America, when you hold onto the first dollar you make (in your case $10) you frame it, display it, and it’s supposed to bring you good luck.
Obviously it has done just that! Your music and sound is incredible. And you are one of the best groups in the music business today.
Thanks for sharing Ladies.
It’s great to share those moments with us. I just love it. To see you so young, so enthusiastic, so resolute is truly moving. After your concert with Mike Massé at Epstein, that’s what I told your father Rudolf. He’s the only man I’m a little jealous of, for having two daughters like you, charming, talented, determined and generous. Once again, thank you for sharing these memories with us.
Actually, that wasn’t half bad. Better than anything I could have done.
I’m so happy you found a wonderful passion and developed your amazing talents with lots of practice and hard work. Enjoyed hearing your early live performances – I’ve been playing guitar for years and get very uncomfortable playing in front of people. It’s fantastic to see how great stage performers you ladies have become,as well as writing your own lovely music. Enjoy every minute you’re making music that changes the world by making everything a little happier .
Lots of love and wishing your every dream come true!
A Groovy Timewarp Back…. Humble beginnings, raw, but you persevered, learned stuff and gathered the essences of both those travels to USA in 2007-2008 to embark upon for your future music endevours and it certainly paved the way and that $10 USA bill was a kick starter inspiration of sorts…
It was the video of the “California Dreamin” you did that I happily and in Awe stumbled upon away back pretty hear since the beginning, became Lifelong fan thereafter, MLTBuzzing 4 Life… Yep… Thankyou for having unexpectedly come into my life when you did, am grateful and happy of it?
You have now given me the somewhat courage to have done karaoke a few times, and I’m now considering at some point to tackle an open jam that is run by a friend and another friend of mine who sings at the jam, when I’m able to go, at least try the open jam once… I’m not a great singer but I’m not shabby either… Kinda in the middle…. If you guys can perform in front of strangers, so can I… Thankyou for sharing the video/pux and storyline of these 2 important trips to USA….. Made an impact indeed!!!!
Awesome! Wish I had been in California to see you play back then. And, how far you have come. I’m so glad you chose to keep after music!
You both have learned life’s most important lessons at such a tender age. By becoming inspired you have become inspirational. Not “just” from your incredible music, but also from your humanity, your sincerity and your perspective of life which is wise way past your years. I can’t thank you enough for sharing your journey, past, present, and future.
So many young people could learn from the two of you. Your last sentence above is so true regardless of the field one chooses. It’s so easy not to see the hard work it takes. And too many times I see parents who don’t encourage, guide and support their kids. Thank you for taking the time to put together the video and write the story. Perhaps, some day you could share it more broadly because it’s a lesson so many could learn from.
You should play in the US again soon! Got some good venues in central New York (state).
Wow, ladies, this is just so cool! It is also great that your parents have both supported and documented your “magical mystery ‘music’ tour” for us all to appreciate and enjoy. You have certainly come a long way in such a relatively short time. In the words of the great Australian poet and musician, Paul Kelly, “From Little Things Big Things Grow”! We all have to start somewhere and I’m so glad you plucked up the courage, in spite of the nerves, to take the plunge when you were so young. Yes, our early teens are a very awkward time in our development but you have made the transition to adulthood very gracefully and this world is such a better place for you having shared your beautiful, musical vision with us. You should frame that ten-dollar note. I just hope the locals were as generous when you were busking in the Rundle Mall on your other great adventure to the antipodes.
By the way, I simply adored your first public singing performance! ?❤️
Hey, first times are scary. Especially without sound checks and all. Did you get to see the Troubadour in LA……Also check out Nashville for maybe a weekend. I have never seen another city in the US like Nashville. There are musicians everywhere. They are in a kiosk playing for free at the airport. At most hotels/motels there are multiple scheduled musicians every night with each one doing 20 to 30 minute sets. At such places you see the ones who are performing on stage and then one the way to the restroom the next act is practicing and tuning….waiting to go on. I kinda think there are so many talented people there that it then turns into a matter of “who you know”. And then there are many big acts at music row. Then there is NYC, Seattle, and Atlanta each with their own music districts, too. I hope your visit to the US was fun and that people treated you well. I also hope you come back again and I would have to buy a ticket to see you. Mike.
Such a great story and adventure! And yes, we all STUNK at first at our instruments! But practice makes perfect as they say. And you girls surely perfected your instruments! You’ve come a long way babies! Bravo!
That was wonderful, from the beginning you two were destined to make beautiful music both playing and singing together, thanks MLT…