Bona Lisa initially formed in 2012, but their live performances transport the audience to the heyday of Sunset Strip in the late '70s and early '80s; it's almost too easy to picture them sharing a bill with the likes of Van Halen or Motley Crue.
Guitarist Andy Milikin and wife Donna Milikin, Bona Lisa’s frontwoman, might have started creating music together in 2012, but their current configuration, consisting of Andy and Michal Kalwajtys on guitar, Boogie Mitchum on drums, Joel Hilley on bass and Donna on vocals, began much later.
Joel and Boogie joined in 2021 after getting to know Donna and Andy within the local music scene, and Michal, who first met the couple after moving to America from Poland in 2003, joined in 2022.
Andy attributes the group’s unique guitar sound to the difference in influence, background and technicalities of himself and Michal.
“My influence is more ‘70s and ‘80s rock,” said Andy, who aligns more with the classic rock influence shared by Boogie and Joel. “I’m more blues-based, where with Michal, there’s more of a different influence.”
“It’s more technical,” said Michal, who attributes his more technical guitar style and influence to a fusion of jazz and groups like Megadeath and Cynic. “I played what you might call progressive death metal in the early ‘90s in Poland.”
The personality of Bona Lisa is steeped in their rich personality and humorous dark sides. The band poses for a photo on Saturday, March 3, 2024.
“We’re all from different backgrounds, but it gels; for some reason, it just truly does,” said Donna.
The variety in background and influence makes all of the difference. With each member bringing unique perspectives and ideas to the table, Bona Lisa has succeeded in inventing a fresh and distinctive take on a classic genre. Through layers of originality, it’s clear to see the artistry of each band member in each song.
While “She Wants More” might open with rhythmic intonations that recall Motley Crue’s “Dr. Feelgood,” the blues influence that carries each bridge is impossible to ignore. “Run for Your Life” opens with prog-rock tonalities that melt into an arena-rock chorus.
Even when it comes to wearing their influences on their sleeve, the group seamlessly avoids the plagiarism that modern rock units often fall trap to: for example, “Catch You When You Fall” delivers the groove and soul that you’d hear on Led Zeppelin’s "Houses of the Holy," but fused with Bona Lisa’s signature brand of grit and raw power.
In many instances within the sphere of female-fronted rock bands, it’s difficult to find a vocalist who brings both soul and tenacity, both of which Donna delivers effortlessly in songs like “Revved Up” or “Shevil,” Bona Lisa’s newest release.
When it came to sharing her unique voice, however, the band's unwavering encouragement empowered her to take her place as frontwoman.
“I love that they support me and give me confidence because when I first started singing, I didn’t feel like I could do it,” she admitted. “Because they believe in my ability, it gives me that much more power to do it.”
It’s also the group’s roots as Columbia’s musicians that give them a firsthand perspective on the community’s scene.
“Back in the early 2000s, Columbia had a slamming music scene,” explained bassist Joel Hilley. “It seems like over time, like with Rockafellas' and Headliners, all of those venues have closed down. The radio stations that have gone out of business used to give local bands an outlet. And now, that outlet is gone.”
It’s a fair point to consider. We see time and time again the success stories that come from streaming platforms and social media, as viral videos lead to widespread recognition for the lucky few.
But as these larger platforms progress and smaller entities shut down, local artists lose the opportunity to broaden their reach within their own community. In other words, it takes a village to raise up their own, and unfortunately, this concept is becoming more and more obsolete.
Bona Lisa stuns with gothic grandeur on stage (and off). The band poses for a portrait on Saturday, March 3, 2024.
“It kind of puts a damper on things for all of us,” Joel continued. “For everybody that busts their asses to play on stages.”
So what is Bona Lisa’s main goal? It’s simple: putting on a badass rock show.
“We want everybody out there to be like, ‘Oh my God,’” said Joel.
“We get on stage and our music sounds the same as it does on our recordings,” explained Donna. “And we pride ourselves on that, in making sure that we sound exactly as we do on the record live.”
It’s safe to say that mission has been accomplished, and for anyone searching for a view into the past, present and even future of rock and roll, Bona Lisa provides the ultimate solution.
