Lindsey Lomis | Photo credit: Emma Delevante

Video Feature & Web-Exclusive Interview

Artist:  LINDSEY LOMIS

Video:  “Bones”

LINDSEY LOMIS RELEASES EMOTIONALLY POWERFUL AND EMPOWERING “BONES”

Rising 17-year-old Nashville songstress Lindsey Lomis releases “Bones” from Altadena/Warner Records’ upcoming EP

After generating millions of streams independently and garnering critical acclaim for her debut major label release “Feel” earlier this year, rising 17-year-old Nashville singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lindsey Lomisreleases “Bones”—a new song and music video via Altadena/Warner Records.

“It has an upbeat mood despite a dark story,” says Lomis. “I’m calling someone out for trying to manipulate me through their lies. In the end, they’ve dug their own grave, where they ‘lie’ alone. I hope people feel empowered from this song. Sometimes even when you want to help someone, you can tell they’re taking advantage of you. To me, it’s sassy and about standing up for yourself. From the lyrics to the whole vibe of the song, it just makes me feel like a badass.”

Lindsey Lomis | Photo credit: Emma Delevante

Co-written and produced by Ryan Daly (Adam Lambert, Fitz & the Tantrums, James Arthur, We the Kings), “Bones” has a bluesy bass line that snakes just beneath soulful verses as the percussion builds towards a spirited send-off, “I ain’t tryna love you when you lie like bones.” The track highlights Lomis’ fiercely independent spirit through her pop sensibility, powerful vocals and anything-is-possible attitude—as easily evidenced in her music video.

In less than two years, Lomis has attracted praise from A-list talent and built a growing fan base with her soulful voice and eloquent song craft. In 2018, Lomis was personally invited by Grammy Award winner Brandi Carlile to join her on stage at her “Girls Just Wanna Weekend” after Lomis submitted a video to her Brandi-oke contest. In 2019, another live-performance dream came true when Lomis was offered an opening slot for another one of her favorite musicians, Bruno Major, in New York City.

During a recent episode of Allen Stone’s Live from the Lodge YouTube series, he raved about her as an “effortless singer.” He also happens to be one of Lomis’ biggest musical influences. With an arsenal of new music on the horizon, 2020 is poised to be an exciting new chapter in Lomis’ burgeoning career.

We talked with Lindsey Lomis about her passion for songwriting, what continues to inspire her creative process, how she remains hopeful and how she is ready to share a new side of herself with the world.

LINDSEY LOMIS Interview
with M Music & Musicians magazine publisher, Merlin David

How did the idea for energetic and emotionally powerful “Bones” come to you?

Thank you! “Bones” is centered around the metaphor of this person digging their own grave with their lies. They pulled me in by making me believe they needed me, but I didn’t fall for it. In the end, they did it to themselves. The energy of this song comes from a very strong place and I definitely feel that when I perform it.

Lindsey Lomis | Photo credit: Emma Delevante

What did you learn about yourself after recording this particularly strong song?
This song is so empowering to me. During the process of creating “Bones,” I learned that though I may not be a typically sassy person, it’s one of my new favorite things to express in my music. This song gives me a chance to say something passionate and powerful, while feeling like a badass doing it.

Tell us about “Feel”—the other song you recently released.
The idea for “Feel” began in the studio. My producer and co-writer Ryan Daly and I had met and started with a blank slate. It was the first time I’d met Ryan. We immediately clicked. He was like an older brother to me. We shared different songs and artists we were into at the time—people like Leon Bridges (“Bad Bad News”), H.E.R., Sabrina Claudio. We basically jumped into writing and it came out extremely naturally.

Did the song come quickly?
It was actually a long session. We started around 11 am. We usually go until 5 PM, but this time we went until 4 am. Definitely broke a bunch of child-labor laws (laughs) because I had only just turned 16. We kept going and pushing. By 4 am, I was extremely delusional. It wasn’t until we fully finished the song that I knew exactly what it meant to me personally. I wrote that song over a year ago. It’s very rare for me to write a song that long ago and still like it. (Laughs)

Update us on the progress of the upcoming EP.
We are almost done with the EP. We have several songs that are completed and we are super excited about, and a few that are still being fine-tuned. Each song contributes in a different way to the record while still creating a consistent sound. I wrote the first song when I was 11. I’m so ready to share this new side of me.

Lindsey Lomis | Photo credit: Emma Delevante

What did you learn about yourself while recording this EP?
One main thing I’ve learned about myself while recording this EP is that I can write a ton of songs that I love, but they don’t all fit the sound I’m trying to express at this moment. I’m inspired by all types of music and many different artists, but during the creation of this EP I’ve found a sound that represents who I am right now.

Who originally inspired you to write songs?
I began writing melodies and singing random lyrics off the top of my head at a really young age. I used to sit outside swinging for hours at a time singing nonsense. I never really dived into the art of songwriting until I was around 13 and that was when I was obsessed with the artist Tori Kelly. As a young girl, her guitar playing and original songs inspired me to write.

What songwriting tip would you like to offer?
Don’t be too hard on yourself at the beginning. It’s easy to compare yourself to the professional songwriters writing the songs you love, but understand that everyone has to start somewhere. I had to write a lot of songs before I had something I was proud enough to release.

What instrument can you not live without?
I’ve had my Taylor 412ce since I was 13 and it has traveled with me all over the world. It’s the first thing I grab when I want to write and it’s my go-to for performing.

Which Top 5 Musicians inspired you to become a musician?
Adele, Tori Kelly, Allen Stone, Amy Winehouse and H.E.R.

What are your Top 5 favorite albums of all time?
21 (2011) – Adele [I got this CD as a Christmas present and I would use my bunk bed as a stage while I sang this album at the top of my lungs.]

Back to Black (2006) – Amy Winehouse [I fell in love with this album a few years ago as I was really finding my style incorporating soul and jazz.]

Vessel (2013) – Twenty One Pilots [I even got my dad hooked on Twenty One Pilots and we’ve traveled all over the place to see them live.]

Tell Me I’m Pretty (2015) – Cage the Elephant [My first real rock show, and they opened my eyes to the alternative scene.]

Unbreakable Smile (2015) – Tori Kelly [When I was 14, I memorized every riff on her album and used to open my shows with the Intro “Where I Belong”. I really looked up to this album. It was very inspiring to see a young girl doing that. She’s just a kind and genuine person.]

Tell us a “pinch me” moment when you thought “Wow, this is really happening to me!”
I’m grateful that there have actually been many “pinch me” moments over the past several years. One that first comes to mind is when I performed at the legendary Ryman Auditorium. My friend and mentor, Ruby Amanfu, was performing at a benefit show, but started to lose her voice. She had one more song to perform and called me up from the audience to help back her up. Before I knew it, I was singing on stage at the iconic Ryman, where I had watched so many of my idols perform. I completely freaked out afterwards, standing next to John Prine backstage.

What advice were you given and what advice would you like to give others?
I’m very lucky my parents have always encouraged me to pursue my passion. They taught me to focus on what matters most—my love for music. Advice like this really paid off the first time I got to play for Busbee [Grammy nominated producer]. He noticed that I was more focused on the music than on trying to impress him. He was instrumental in elevating my career to the next level. So I guess my advice is just—be authentic and do what you love.

How do you remain hopeful in this strange and unique socio-political climate?
It is really hard. We feel the responsibility to help and change and cleanup and move on. This is a huge impasse. We need the change. My hopefulness is for all of us coming together. We have to navigate it together.

Where can new fans get more info and stay updated?
www.LindseyLomis.com
Instagram: @lindseylomis https://www.instagram.com/lindseylomis/
Twitter: @lindseylomis https://mobile.twitter.com/lindseylomis
YouTube: Lindsey Lomis https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHqJ_3oP2HTTmCHt9rmLhZw
Facebook: @lindseylomis https://www.facebook.com/lindseylomis/

Lindsey Lomis | Photo credit: Emma Delevante