Writer
Lisa Durrant
Solving artists’ copy woes since 2013, Just the Type supports songwriters and musicians, record labels and music publicists with the writing of biographies and press releases.
An arranger of words and teller of stories, Just the Type is the prose-personality of Manchester-based music-lover and writer, Lisa.
A creative at heart, after a decade of writing reviews and features as a staff writer for national music magazine, The Fly among other titles including Manchester Evening News’ early digital outlet Manchester Online she honed her craft whilst writing for a variety of artists as a national music publicist for Manchester-based PR company, In House Press.
Her copy has been used in album campaigns for Toro Y Moi, Trudy & The Romance, Charles Bradley, Hers, John Maus, Viola Beach. Telekinesis, The Longcut, Wye Oak, Jon Spencer, Girl Talk, Dan Deacon and many more.
Recognising the need to support emerging artists with their own promotional endeavours, Lisa set up Just the Type and has since worked with over 100 local and international, well-known and emerging musicians and their teams.
Describe what you were like at school in three words?
Nerdy, conscientious, content.
What’s the best thing about Manchester?
It’s so connected and as good inside, as it is outside. I love the city centre’s independents like Piccadilly Records, café bar venues like Night & Day, Soup Kitchen and Yes which reinforce its amazing live music scene. I’m constantly impressed with the creativity inside those walls as the street art painted on them, and how the artistic communities constantly overlap and support each other… then when you feel like swapping concrete for countryside, fresh air can be found 20 minutes in any direction. If that’s not enough city, Liverpool, Sheffield, and Leeds are on the doorstep… and of course, Manchester Airport!
What has been your biggest disappointment?
Not achieving the A Level grades I’d been predicted. I’d burned myself out revising and planning so was devastated when the results came in. Amazingly though, whilst it changed my short-term plans it wasn’t the end of the world. Failing (as I saw it), freed me up to explore my options and pursue my passions. Would I change it? Not at all.
How do you relax?
Really boring answer, but feet-up with a takeaway and a gripping film which pulls me into another world for a little bit.
The soundtrack to your life. Which song?
Banquet by Bloc Party.
If you could go back in time, where would you go?
I love period TV shows like Mad Men and The Marvellous Mrs Maisel so early ‘60s New York would be up there… I’d be a fly on the office wall of a Madison Avenue ad agency by day then hang out in the basement clubs of Greenwich Village by night. Either that or check out the first Glastonbury festival. The reality of both would likely be far less glamourous than I’d imagine but an eye-opening experience.
What’s your most over-used phrase?
‘To be fair…’ I catch myself saying it a lot so I’ve consciously tried to stop. Extra and unnecessary. I’m not sure where it’s come from.
What advice would you give to your 15 year-old self?
Keep working hard but go easy on yourself and don’t take things too seriously; it’s ok to bend the rules – sometimes!