Lindsey Interview: SXSW 2010

England's Lindsey was trained at Sir Paul McCartney's Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts. She knows the value of a good pop song, in addition to the value of having something important to say. In a recent chat with Spinner prior to her upcoming appearance at SXSW, Lindsey said that she writes songs "full of passion and truth," but that she also remembers the value of "shaking her bon bon" to Ricky Martin.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Songs to cry to and smile to, full of passion and truth. Sitting somewhere in between Natalie Imbruglia, Taylor Swift and Beverley Knight. Bringing together soaring guitar melodies with powerful, and often tender, vocals.

What made you decide to be a musician?

I always wanted to sing and perform. It was just in my blood as a child. Then as I got further into the industry, I realized I was far more passionate as a singer when I was singing my own songs, so I worked hard at writing and got so involved in it all over the years that I ended up co-producing my first album.

What are your musical influences?

I would say, as a vocalist and performer, it's Beverley Knight; hands down the best performer I've ever seen. Then more sound wise it would be Snow Patrol, the Fray [and] Evanescence.

How did you decide to use the name Lindsey? Did you ever consider giving yourself a different name?

I "umm"ed and "arr"ed for a long while over what to call myself as an artist, whether to come up with a funky one-off name like Pink or something, or whether to use my surname. But I like to be myself on stage and feel as an artist I'm sharing who I am, not some sort of persona, and my surname kinda makes me sound like a folk singer [Lindsey Cleary] so I thought I'd just keep it simple!

What is your biggest vice?

Food! Thank God I don't live in the States with your huge, yummy portions! I'd be the size of a house. I love food and have zero self control when faced with a bar of chocolate!

What's in your festival survival kit?

Party feet--for those not in the know, these are rubber soles that slip in to your shoes. [There's] so much walking. Dry shampoo and a stick of lippy, for those days that turn into nights. Wow, that was a girlie list!!

Who was your first celeb crush?

Ricky Martin. I know, I know. It was the "shake your bon bon" thing that did it for me. Shame.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Honestly, I have so many, too many to mention. I am not a musical snob by any means! My band constantly laughs at my iPod selection.

What musicians do you never want to be compared with?

Hmm, I wouldn't want to be compared to a musician who is a pain in the ass. Like, if someone came in to a studio, swore at everyone, ignored people and put their feet up on the desk, then I came in the next day and they said I was like them. Well, that'd be bad.

Beatles or Stones?

I lived on 'Penny Lane' for nine years and went to Paul McCartney's music school in Liverpool, so I'll have to say the Beatles purely out of loyalty.

Why do you think your fans are so great?

Because they are so supportive. I raised an amazing $12.5K to make my debut album, solely through my fans giving through a project I set up called "Pick an Orange Project," and I was just amazed at how generous they were and how much they believe in what I'm doing. Fans that put their money where their mouth is are true supporters.

What are you looking forward to most in Austin during SXSW?

Seeing some sunshine! We've had the longest winter ever in London this year, so to see the sun will be great. And I'm looking forward to being inspired by the seminars and bands there, to be reminded that music is about the love and not just the business. We all need that every once in a while.


Steven Horowitz is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.