Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Lindsey Lomis

Amid an unexpected year, rising singer-songwriter Lindsey Lomis turned to her craft. It became an outlet for her to process everything going on in the world and a way to connect with others. The result was magic in the chaos and Lindsey’s Altadena/Warner Records debut EP, In the Madness. Pop Culturalist caught up with Lindsey to chat about her career, the message behind In the Madness, and how she’s grown as an artist.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Lindsey: I’ve grown up in Nashville, so I was surrounded by it all the time. It’s funny because neither of my parents are involved in music. They had such a huge appreciation for it. So I feel like the city raised me in that way, and seeing so many other musicians succeed in this world made it a possibility for me. It just never seemed out of reach.

Since I was young, I just loved singing. I took it to the next level by learning how to play guitar. Then I was like, “Oh my gosh. I can song-write too.” It was really natural to me. I fell in love with it every second of the way and was lucky to be surrounded by so many incredible mentors here in town. I did a lot of music camps and met a lot of people, even kids my age, interested in music. It was always very inspiring to me. Everything pointed me in that direction.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Lindsey: There are so many different people. Honestly, the first person who came to mind was my mom. It’s funny because she obviously never really sang or played, but she did teach me my first chords on guitar. Even though she’s not in the music world, her and my dad have always championed me and never discouraged me from it. They never denied the fact that I love it and never stopped me from doing it. They introduced me to people, brought me out to opportunities, and researched different camps. It really made it seem like a possibility for me. I don’t think a lot of people have that, so I’m really lucky. They’ve been encouraging from the start.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Lindsey: I am honestly so lucky. There are a lot of moments that stand out that really excite me and that I feel really lucky to have witnessed. The main one that does come to mind is when I first met the incredible writer Busbee. He honestly is the reason why I got signed. I started talking with him and his team. It was such a crazy moment for me. He’s a big writer. He’s been such an important figure. You feel like those people wouldn’t want to give someone who doesn’t have anything to their name the time of day, but he took the time to meet with me.

I remember playing for him in his Nashville home with my parents. We were all sitting in a circle and I played a couple of songs. I remember him laughing under his shirt. I was so nervous. I was like, “Why is he laughing while I’m playing?” Then I finished and he said in the most sincere way, “Aren’t you nervous to play in front of me?” It was a funny moment. I was like, “I always am a little nervous at the beginning, but the passion always blocks out the nerves.” It was a moment when I was like, “I can do this.” He made me realize the people that I want to be working with, so that was a big step for me.

PC: You have a new EP out now. Tell us about In the Madness and the inspiration behind the collection.
Lindsey: I’m so excited. Honestly, it’s all the work that I’ve been doing for almost two years now. I wrote all the EP with my producer and cowriter, Ryan Daly. The first song we wrote off of it was “Feel.” Honestly, my favorite track right now is “Magic in the Madness.” I feel like it’s a great representation of the EP and why I named the EP after it. I feel like it’s one of the most thoughtful songs I’ve written, and that accurately depicts every vision and emotion that I feel with that song. The EP as a whole represents honesty and me becoming the artist I want to be.

I think the next phase is a lot more honest. A lot of the songs on it aren’t these happy little kid songs. It’s very deep. I want to be an open book to the people that are listening. I want them to know, yes, I’m an extremely happy person, but I do feel all the emotions that everyone else does. It represents becoming the artist that I am. I’m excited that people get to see me grow and see every phase of it.

PC: If you had to choose one song off of In the Madness that best encompasses who you are as an artist, what would it be and why?
Lindsey: I think all of them are. All of them together are little puzzle pieces, and they come together to make the main picture. But like I said before, I think right now, just currently what the entire world is going through, “Magic in the Madness” is on a whole other level. We didn’t write that song in quarantine. Actually, we wrote it before 2020 and the end of the world. It just goes to show how, even when we’re not in total chaos, how life still feels like that and how growing up is this really scary thing and a loss of innocence. With every day, you see more and more darkness in the world and that’s depressing. So this song is about that and the hope and need for this magic in this madness.

PC: With this being a new chapter in your career, what was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself?
Lindsey: I learned that there isn’t just one side to me. There are so many different sides. That was hard for me to navigate through the entire process, especially the creative side. I didn’t know exactly what this one sound I was going for was, but I think that’s almost the most exciting part of it. I’m starting to realize that I have the freedom to experience. The music world we’re living in now is genreless. That’s exciting for me.

I’ve realized that I don’t need to pin myself down. I don’t need to be this one exact thing. I’m always going to be growing and changing. I mean, I’m seventeen. I’m going to be different a week from now. [laughs] I’m coming to terms with all these different sides of me.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Lindsey: I went through a big Twenty One Pilots phase. I do love a lot of their music. There’s some of that in my playlist. There’s Cage The Elephant, Saba. I love all different genres.

PC: First album you bought or streamed?
Lindsey: The one that I vividly remember getting a physical CD was Adele’s 21 album. I played that on repeat on my little CD player. I had a bunk bed and I would use the top bunk as a stage, singing to a crowd of no one. [laughs] It was an amazing feeling.

PC: First concert you attended?
Lindsey: My parents have been lugging me around to concerts since I was a baby in one of those little baby carrier backpacks. [laughs] So there’s probably a lot I don’t remember, but I do remember going to Colbie Caillat’s concert for the first time with a friend. That whole experience was so much fun.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Lindsey: So many. I have to say Twenty One Pilots, which is funny because you wouldn’t expect that. I would say their album Vessel. That album is so honest and all of their albums are so honest that it hurts. I think the time that I got into them was those early teenage years when you’re super angsty and starting to get introduced to all these crazy emotions.

I remember listening to them every night and crying. I was like, “Oh my gosh, music can affect you in this powerful kind of a way.” That album really showed me that you can create stuff like that with music.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Lindsey: A dream of mine is to perform a full set at Ryman. I’ve gotten to go on stage once to sing a song last minute. I had no clue what was happening. The Ryman is so iconic. I would love to have a full sold-out show there.

To keep up with Lindsey, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. Pick up or stream In the Madness today.

Photo Credit: Emma Delevante