No Magic Tricks to Songwriting: An interview with Lindsay Foote

                  With Going Gone, Foote's vocal and lyrical honesty collects its fallen objects along a darkening shore line, gems on the underside of that quiet hour of our experience, Silence, a song which stands out, in part due to how beautifully its instrumentality is constructed and in part; how the voice that sings it absolutely soars and sears, where we, listener and composer, are "tall like an oak tree, it comes crashing down, bend till it broke me, till we broke ourselves down" And "though we fear the start of night it always comes around," the things we try to keep at bay have their own methods of finding us. A soulful and poetic album, each song comes brimming over with its struggles and its strength, quiet hour or bustling daybreak, the liminal space that makes a song spark with life lingers in our hearts and minds ever after. There are no magic tricks to making all of this happen, just sitting with yourself and writing it all out until something sticks and wont go away. Going Gone, here for an instant, fleeting and spectacular, if ever an album deserved a place in your home and in your heart, it is this one.


AHC: What has this journey in music, so far, been like for you, the highs and the lows, and what life lessons do you feel you've picked up along the way?

Lindsay: “Highs and lows” is a good way to describe it. My feelings on my progress vary so much day to day—some days I feel like I’ve come so far, and other I feel like I’m getting nowhere. I’m learning to view the entire experience as a process, but I definitely find it hard to be patient! On the other hand, I’ve never been more proud of the successes that I have had, because I know I’ve really worked for them. I’ve learned how much personal initiative I have to take to make things happen carreer-wise—that was a game-changer for me. I think for a long time I was just waiting for something to happen, for someone to come along and help me. It wasn’t until I realized that I had to do everything myself that I started to move forward. It’s empowering and overwhelming at the same time— you prove to yourself how much you can do, but also are constantly taking on new challenges that you feel unprepared for. Or at least that’s how I feel! So yeah, lots of highs and lows. The lows can be pretty hard, but the highs are extremely rewarding. 

AHC: What first drew you to music and what was your early musical environment like growing up? Were there pivotal songs for you then that just floored you the moment you heard them?

Lindsay: I grew up surrounded by music—both of my parents are musicians, and my two brothers and I have followed in their footsteps! I’m so thankful to have grown up listening to amazing music. My parents love singer-songwriters, so they were the soundtrack to my childhood— Shawn Colvin, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and Jonatha Brooke, to name a few. I used to read through all the lyrics in the CD inserts, trying to figure out what every song meant. I remember learning “Blue” by Joni Mitchell— my Mom had a song book of the whole record. “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Rait was another I always loved, and “I Don’t Know Why” by Shawn Colvin. In middle school I listened to John Mayer’s “Room For Squares” every day while I did my homework— I think I still know it all by heart!

AHC: Do you remember the first song that you ever wrote or played? Or that first moment when you picked up a pen and realized that you could create whole worlds just by putting it to paper?

Lindsay: Yes! The first song I wrote was in 9th grade, and I think it was a break up song (the first of many, haha)! I was playing piano and I remember that it just sort of came out, and it made me feel so much better! I was hooked from then on. 

AHC: Which musicians have you learned the most from? Or writers, artists, filmmakers, teachers/mentors etc?

Lindsay: Of course I’ve learned so much from the songwriters I grew up listening to that I already mentioned. Recently I’ve also been super inspired by local songwriters in the Toronto scene. Michelle Willis, Danielle Knibbe, and Jaimee Harris (from Austin) are a few up and coming singer-songwriters that I really admire. All are such smart and honest lyricists, plus engaging and genuine performers. I’m lucky to see them perform and learn from them!

AHC: What do you think makes for a good song, as you're writing and composing, is there a sudden moment when you know you've found the right mix, that perfect angle of light, so to speak?

Lindsay: I think there’s always a moment when a song clicks, and you know for sure that it works. There are those rare, magical times when that happens almost immediately— when a song feels like it falls into your lap fully formed. Most of the time though, it’s much harder to get to that point. The songs that I like most usually are very honest and have a clear story or point. So I think as long as you know what you’re trying to say, and asking yourself the right questions along the way, the song will eventually work. 

AHC: Do you consider music to be a type of healing art, the perfect vehicle through which to translate a feeling, a state of rupture/rapture, hope lost and regained? Does the writing and creating of the song save you in the kinds of ways that it saves us, the listener?

Lindsay: Definitely. Songwriting is very cathartic to me, as I’m sure any other art form is to other artists. I find the easiest songs to write are the ones that are very personal to me, and often those are the songs that people connect to the most. I think even the saddest songs can give people hope— they remind us that we aren’t alone in our feelings and experiences.

AHC: What are your fondest musical memories? In your house? In your neighborhood or town? On-tour, on-the-road?

Lindsay: Our recent album release show was definitely a highlight— we had a super attentive and engaged audience, and it felt so special to share everything we’d been working on. Some of my favorite times with my band are when we rehearse— figuring out arrangements and harmonies, trying new things, seeing the songs develop. We also just finished our first tour, which was a blast! Playing music every night while exploring different cities during the day is definitely the dream come true!

AHC: When you set out to write a song, how much does 'where the world is' in its current moment, culturally, politically, otherwise, influence the kinds of stories you set out to tell?

Lindsay: I think that this is something I could incorporate into my songwriting more often. I tend to write songs very specific to my own life/ my personal relationships and journeys. I’ve been working on writing more outside of myself, but sometimes I struggle to feel like the songs are honest. Hopefully with more practice, “where the world is” can be reflected more in my music.

AHC: Do you have any words of advice or encouragement for other musicians and singer-songwriters out there who are just starting out and trying to find their voice and their way in this world? What are the kinds of things that you tell yourself when you begin to have doubts or are struggling with the creative process? Or what kinds of things have others told you that have helped push you past moments of self doubt/creative blocks?

Lindsay: I recently read the “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron, which gave me lots of strategies to help with creative blocks and self-doubt. The hardest thing for me is trying to write without constantly judging my writing. I can get into downward spirals where I don’t like anything I write, and that negative energy keeps me from breaking the cycle. What I’ve learned is to keep writing every day, no matter what. If I’m struggling with a creative block, I try to remind myself that writing should be about experimentation and play, not a test of whether I’m a good writer. My brother is also a songwriter, and he reminds me that there are no magic tricks to songwriting, just practicing it every day. 

AHC: You just released your EP Going Gone last month, could you talk some about this record, how long did it take to write and put together, what the binding themes of this work are for you personally? Do you have any new projects moving forward or ideas that are percolating for the future? 

Lindsay: I think this EP was a big stepping stone for me, and I’m happy to say that I’m so proud of how it turned out! I spent about a year writing the EP, and in the same year started playing with my band— Chris Blachford, Malcolm Connor, Eslin McKay, and Belinda Corpuz. We had 3 days in the studio to record Going Gone, and did a lot of it live off the floor. The band and I worked together to come up with arrangements and really bring it to life. I think the initial inspiration for the songs was the end of a transformative relationship, and really being on my own for the first time. A lot of the songs are about facing tough truths and moving forward. As far as what’s up next, I’m looking forward to having more time this month to write, and will be touring the East Coast of the States this September. Just hoping to keep writing, performing, meeting new people, and learning along the way!​


For more visit www.lindsayfoote.com/
Going Gone available now @ lindsayfootemusic.bandcamp.com/releases