Lissie Still Surprised When Fans Recognize Her

Despite critical praise for her 'Why You Runnin'' EP and shout-outs from celebrities, country/folk/rock singer-songwriter Lissie still isn't quite used to fame. Case in point -- a recent interaction the Illinois native after finishing up a tour with City and Colour.

"When I got back to L.A., somebody came up to me and was like 'Oh my god, you're Lissie,'" she tells Spinner. "I said, 'Yeah, do I know you?' and she said, 'No, we love your music!' I was like 'oh my god. You know who I am. That's so cool!' I felt like a celebrity, but I always feel bad, like 'Is this somebody I know and I forgot their name?' No, they just know who I am because they like my music. That's pretty crazy."

Still, the encounter wasn't exactly an ideal type of fan interaction for the singer-songwriter. "I almost didn't like it because I looked like crap. I was carrying all my suitcases and my guitar," she says. "I was walking down the street all in a huff, probably talking to myself or being weird and not knowing anyone would see. I guess I have to realize that people might know who I am."

She'll certainly have to get used to it soon. Not only has she recorded with Band of Horses bassist Bill Reynolds and producer Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Tom Waits) and just came off a string of successful SXSW shows, Lissie has already made a few celebrity fans. "When I opened for Ray LaMontagne, Pierce Brosnan was at the show. He came out and told me he loved my music and was going to keep an eye out for me," she says. "I'm like, '007 likes my music!'"

Another major endorsement came from NBC newscaster and noted indie-rock enthusiast Brian Williams. Oddly enough, she found out about it after Roots drummer ?uestlove wrote on Twitter, "Brian Williams just gave a shoutout to Lissie. Major endorsement" when Williams was a guest on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.'

"A friend of mine emailed me and was like '?uestlove just tweeted this. I think you're going to be on Jimmy Fallon tonight. You should watch,'" Lissie says. "Jimmy Fallon asked him 'What are you listening to' and Williams said, 'This artist named Lissie,' and then he spelled out my name. He thought I was from the Pacific Northwest, which I'm not. I'm not sure where he got that from but whatever, I'll take it -- it was cool."

And though Lissie doesn't have a TV, she was eventually able to watch the segment. "My mom had it Tivo'd, so when I went home to get my dog, I saw it," she says. "I could watch it again I'm sure, but I don't really need to."

Lissie's debut full-length, 'Catching a Tiger,' will be released in the UK this June.