INTERVIEW: Lindsay Latimer — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Lindsay Latimer

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I always love musicians who can project their…

personality and spirit onto the page! Lindsay Latimer has been talking with me about the remixed version of her song, I Blame You, and what comes next for her. She talks last year’s Teenage Lullaby and what Nashville is like in terms of inspiration and motivation – Latimer recommends a couple of new artists to look out for.

I ask her whether there are any tour dates coming and which albums mean the most to her; whether she has a favourite memory from her time in music; what she would say to artists emerging right now; what she hopes to achieve before the end of the year – Latimer ends the interview by selecting a bit of a classic.

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Hi, Lindsay. How are you? How has your week been?

Doing well! Good! My husband and I just got our first puppy together this week. We’re still married, so that’s great.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I’m an Indie Pop singer-songwriter from Nashville. I grew up in ballet, started taking classical voice lessons in middle-school and soon that became my thing - which led me to want to study voice performance in college…which led me to Nashville. I’m drawn to write on the things we have a hard time putting words to as humans. Nostalgia, love and loss; not getting invited to the cool parties in high-school…light things like that.

I Blame You - a track from your E.P., Teenage Lullaby - has been remixed (by Bodytalkr). What was the reason for remixing the song?

You know, I really just wanted to take it up a notch. It’s a sweetly delicate song that will forever be special to me - but I wanted to hear it as an Electro-Pop remix. I knew there was a lot more potential in this song to color in. My producer remixes songs as well, so I chatted with him once the idea was in my head and off it went!

Do you think new emotions and elements have been brought to the song?

I Blame You has always tasted both a little sweet and sour to me. There’s sheer love in there but there’s also something a little unsettling tossed in. Hence the dissonance. I wanted to have the remix savor both of those feelings, and yet unleash an emotion of audacity as a result of this intoxication. The music video’s rollerblading, cannon-balling into a pool with my clothes on and my light-up shoes all nod to that.

Teenage Lullaby was released last year. In terms of lyrics and music; what sort of things inspired the songwriting? Do you think you learnt a lot about yourself whilst making it?

The whole aesthetic reflects this tug-of-war between my years growing up and now - so there’s this obvious mashup of decades. Pool parties and balloons meet the other side: adulthood. Past struggles are often remedied by the present and that’s where the ‘lullaby’ applies. There was once tension and mystery, but blanks get filled and aches are alleviated as we press on and trust the process. Creating certain songs on that record added years to my life. I left the studio exhausted from being so honest.

Is there going to be more material coming this year at all? What are you working on?

Projects in the works. Follow along with me and thee shall findeth outeth.

Nashville is where you are based. How important is the city’s music, past and present, to you and what you do? Is it a perfect place to create?

It’s a neat place. Very resourceful when it comes to making it all sparkle in the studio. Also, very saturated with people doing what you’re doing - which you just learn to see as a helpful thing. When I first moved to Nashville in 2009, I was a Lindsay-sponge. I listened and watched everything that was going on - the music, the shows and the appearances. I swallowed a lot of lies that I should be singing a certain style and writing a certain way.

It took me about six years to figure out that that’s inaccurate. I then began writing songs the way I wanted to write them; singing the genre I wanted to sing - and today’s Nashville is more of that now than stylistic conformity. I needed Nashville in my life to show me the music I didn’t want to write and lead me back to the music I do.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

More music. More depths into my current songwriting and production. I’ve been really excited about my current compositions - solo and with others. Fresh stuff. Also; train the dog to get me a beer from the fridge…and stain the deck.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

My high-school choir opened for Michael Bublé at a Christmas gala that we’d perform at annually. He invited us back on stage for the encore and I sang Christmas carols next to him. So much bigger than a fangirl moment. It was the perfect glance into what I wanted to do in life: perform and connect people and spread joy. I remember not being able to fall asleep that night.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams (2005)

I memorized every word back then and still can sing the record through for a pick-me-up. Though our sound is different, Jack has inspired me a lot. He was the first artist for me who embedded his beliefs in his music and did it with his unassuming voice. But then, he couldn’t make you mad in doing it because it’s done well. I was like: “Oh yeah, I want to do that”.

Michelle Branch - Hotel Paper (2003)

This record taught me a lot about songwriting. I was thirteen and memorized every word. Then, I would sing it running through my neighborhood with my pink iPod. Oh yeah.

Barbra Streisand - People (1964)

A favorite of my grandmother’s. She would listen to it every night after her husband passed away and would tell me to never forget that people should be able to hear my lyrics because they are so good. Like, the way Barbra does it. I’ll forever love it and cry when I listen.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

Billy Joel. A bowl of Swedish Fish after each set.

Can we see you on tour soon? What dates are coming up?

Going to have to say stay tuned for now (smiles).

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Lots of opportunities to be had if you’re willing to get your hands dirty and work hard and not worry too much about what people think of you…while you carve out how you want people to see you and then live by those terms. A little reverse psychology is healthy. Haha.

IN THIS PHOTO: Bandit Heart/PHOTO CREDIT: Sean Hagwell

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Bandit Heart; Matthew Wright. Both make music that is so true to them and that’s not always so easy. Both solid dudes. Both single.

IN THIS PHOTO: Matthew Wright

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I go outside. I love to get where it’s quiet. Kayak or rollerblade. Feel the wind and get perspective. However; this week my dog is those things and I have to make sure she doesn’t pee on the sofa.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

People by Barbra Streisand