Local New York City musician Lisa Bodnar’s newest album, Come Hell or High Water, was produced by IAR Faculty member Dan Grigsby. The album was recorded at Kampo Studios in NYC and released in 2007. It features musicians from The Conan O’Brian Show, Saturday Night Live, IAR graduate Dann Araque, and IAR faculty member Gary Fritz, among others.

Grigsby submitted the album for the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards, to air on CBS-TV on February 10th. The GRAMMYs are the only peer-judged awards presented without regard to album sales or chart position and honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency, and overall excellence in the recording industry.

IAR wanted to learn more about the making of Bodnar’s new album, and spoke to the artist, along with Dan Grigsby:

IAR: How does the submission to the GRAMMYs make you feel about your careers and the album? BODNAR: It makes me really happy and honored that I would be considered. I feel really grateful to Dan and his team for believing in the music and the time and effort put into this album. GRIGSBY: I have great faith in the album and they are great songs.

IAR: Do you have any words of encouragement for IAR student artists, engineers, and producers? BODNAR: Work hard and believe in yourself, love what you do and surround yourself with really good musicians, producers, and engineers. I was lucky to be among many of the IAR staff during the making of the album. GRIGSBY: Whether you are an engineer or songwriter, do the best you can and don’t be concerned with the ‘bling.’ Do it for the art you are creating and everything else will find you.

For more information about Lisa and Dan, visit lisabodnay.com and dangrigsby.com.