Me: Hello, Lindsay. First of, I cannot wait to be able to download your music on iTunes. Any idea when that'll be?
Lindsay: HEY! I'M REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE MY FIRST ITUNES SINGLE, "STUDIO APARTMENT," COMING OUT! IT'S GOING TO BE OUT IN EARLY 2009. I DON'T HAVE THE SPECIFIC DATE YET, BUT I SHOULD SOON. IT WILL BE POSTED ON MY MYSPACE AS SOON AS IT'S SET. RIGHT NOW, THOUGH, THERE'S A SAMPLE OF THE SINGLE ON MYSPACE. COM/LINDSAYRUSH
Me: Where is Pennsylvania are you from? My wife is from Mechanicsburg, which is near Harrisburg. How is the music scene up there right now?
Lindsay: I'M FROM PHILADELPHIA, ORIGINALLY. WE'RE VERY LUCKY IN PHILLY, BECAUSE THE MUSIC SCENE IS VERY ACTIVE AND CLOSE-KNIT. EVERYONE SEEMS TO KNOW EVERYONE ELSE, REGARDLESS OF THE LEVEL OF FAME OR SUCCESS YOU'VE HAD. IT ALSO PROVIDES US WITH A REALLY CHALLENGING, BUT SUPPORTIVE ATMOSPHERE TO GROW UP MUSICALLY IN. THERE'S A LOT OF TALENT AND DRIVE.
Me: You just finished opening for Pat Benatar on tour. How was that? Was that your first tour?
Lindsay: I DID! THAT WAS ONE OF THE BEST EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE SO FAR. THEY WHOLE BAND AND CREW ARE LIKE FAMILY. IT WAS A REALLY POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR ME. IT WAS MY FIRST FULL-OUT TOUR, AND MY FIRST TIME LIVING ON A TOUR BUS. ALSO MY FIRST REAL TIME AWAY FROM HOME ON MY OWN FOR THAT LENGTH OF TIME. I'M REALLY LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE ALL OF THOSE STEPS IN SUCH A NURTURING, INSPIRING, AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT.
Me: Pat has her husband in the band, Neil Giraldo, and gets to travel with him. Do you have someone special that you travel with?
Lindsay: I TRAVEL WITH MY PRODUCTION MANAGER, WHO ALSO WORKED ON THE BENATAR/GIRALDO TOUR. SHE'S BECOME ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS. WE BOTH GOT TO EXPERIENCE A LOT TOGETHER WHILE ON THE ROAD THIS SUMMER, AND WE BECAME FRIENDS PRETTY QUICKLY. IT'S FUN TO TRAVEL WITH HER. SHE MAKES SURE WE NEVER MISS A FLIGHT! : )
Me: What did your parents say when you told them you were going off on tour through Spring and Summer? You look so young!
Lindsay: WELL, ACTUALLY, BEFORE I WENT ON THE ROAD FOR THE ENTIRE SUMMER, I STARTED BY TOURING WITH PAT AND NEIL FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS IN THE SPRING. FOR THAT LEG, MY MOM AND I JUST HOPPED IN THE CAR AND DROVE FROM SHOW TO SHOW. SO WHEN THE SUMMER TOUR CAME ALONG, WE ALREADY KNEW MOST OF THE PEOPLE I WOULD BE TOURING WITH, SO IT WASN'T REALLY UNKNOWN TERRITORY AS MUCH AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN. EVERYONE WAS REALLY EXCITED, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE THAT IS VIRTUALLY UN-HEARD-OF FOR AN UNSIGNED ARTIST WITH NO MANAGEMENT OR ANYTHING. WE ALSO KNEW WHAT GREAT PEOPLE PAT & NEIL AND EVERYONE WERE, SO IT WAS REALLY A SAFE FEELING GOING INTO IT.
Me: On your website there's a picture of a woodburning kit. Is that you? When was that taken?
Lindsay: YEP! THAT'S ME! HAHA THAT WAS TAKEN WHEN I WAS ABOUT ELEVEN, I THINK. BEFORE I GOT INTO MUSIC PROFESSIONALLY, I SPENT THE FIRST PART OF MY LIFE ACTING AND MODELING AS A KID. THAT TOY IS A FUNNY THING, BECAUSE NOW, I'LL BE AT THE MALL OR SOMETHING WITH FRIENDS, AND WE'LL WANDER INTO THE HOBBY STORE, AND THERE IT IS!
Me: You seem to have become good friends with Lisa Loeb. How did that friendship come about?
Lindsay: I MET LISA IN 2005. I HAD ALWAYS LOVED HER MUSIC AND FOUND HER TO BE REALLY INSPIRING, MUSICALLY, AND IN BUSINESS. I SOMEHOW GOT UP THE NERVE TO JUST WALK UP TO HER AFTER A SHOW SHE PLAYED, AND ASK HER IF SHE NEEDED AN OPENING ACT AT A SHOW SHE HAD COMING UP AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY. NEXT THING I KNEW, I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH HER MANAGER AND THE VENUE, TALKING OUT LOGISTICS! EVER SINCE THEN, SHE'S BEEN REALLY SUPPORTIVE AND IS FULL OF GOOD ADVICE.
Me: Lisa had a reality TV show a few years ago. If someone offered you a reality TV show, would you do it?
Lindsay: THAT'S SOMETHING I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT. I THINK WITH THE WAY TV IS NOWADAYS, IT'S SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE OF ENTERTAINED IN THEIR MINDS. IT WOULD OBVIOUSLY DEPEND ON WHAT THE SHOW WAS ABOUT. I WOULDN'T SAY "NO."
Me: You seem really busy with your songwriting, recording, touring and career. What do you do in your time you are not working?
Lindsay: WORK! HAHA THAT'S WHAT IT FEELS LIKE, ANYWAY. I'VE CHOSEN THAT LIFESTYLE FOR MYSELF THOUGH. I HAVE ABOUT TEN MILLION PROJECTS GOING ON RIGHT NOW - MUSICAL AND NON-MUSICAL. REGARDLESS OF WHAT I'M DOING, MY BRAIN IS ALWAYS GOING. I'M REALLY NEVER NOT WORKING COMPLETELY. I DO GIVE MYSELF DOWNTIME, BUT THE DAY ALWAYS INVOLVES A PHONE CONFERENCE OR TWO, A NEW SONG, OR AN IDEA THAT I NEED TO JUMP ON.
Me: You seem to have all your shit together, Lindsay (excuse the French). Who manages your music career? You do a very good job with publicity, and take some really good pictures... even though in one photo shoot you only remembered to wear a sweater. LOL.
Lindsay: THANKS! I DON'T HAVE A MANAGER OR AN AGENT, PUBLICIST, OR LABEL RIGHT NOW. I'VE DONE EVERYTHING FOR MYSELF UP TO THIS POINT. I'M A LITTLE BIT OF A CONTROL FREAK, BUT MOSTLY I JUST FEEL LIKE MY MUSIC AND MY CAREER ARE MY BABIES. THEY'RE MY EVERYTHING. HANDING IT ALL OVER TO SOMEONE TO MANAGE IN ANY WAY, WELL, THAT WILL COME. IT'S COMING QUICKER BY THE DAY, BUT ANYONE WHO ENTERS INTO THE PICTURE IN THAT WAY, KNOWS OFF THE BAT THAT IT'S GOT TO BE A TEAM EFFORT. A PARTNERSHIP. NOW, I'M LUCKY TO HAVE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE COME INTO THE PICTURE VERY RECENTLY, WHO UNDERSTAND THAT AND SOME GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING BECAUSE THAT METHOD WORKS FOR US.
Me: Your debut CD came out in 2005, when you were, what, nine? Like I said, you seem so young. What can you tell the readers of the Phile about that album?
Me: Your debut CD came out in 2005, when you were, what, nine? Like I said, you seem so young. What can you tell the readers of the Phile about that album?
Lindsay: HAHA NOT QUITE 9! I WAS MORE LIKE SEVENTEEN WHEN MY FIRST CD, "REAL LIFE" CAME OUT. I WOULD SAY, IF YOU'VE HEARD MY MORE CURRENT MUSIC, EITHER LIVE OR ONLINE, OR WHEREVER, THE FIRST CD IS COOL TO HEAR. IT DOESN'T REPRESENT ME MUSICALLY AT ALL. HOWEVER, I DID WRITE ALL OF THE SONGS, EXCEPT FOR ONE BEATLES COVER I DID ON THERE. SO I GUESS PEOPLE LIKE TO HEAR HOW MY WRITING HAS CHANGED, HOW I'VE GROWN AS AN ARTIST, ETC. I'M MUCH, MUCH, MUCH MORE HANDS ON IN THE PRODUCTION END OF THINGS TOO. NOW I KNOW THAT IT'S OKAY TO SAY "NO. I DON'T LIKE THAT. LETS DO IT THIS WAY INSTEAD." BACK THEN, I DIDN'T.
Me: Then you released an acoustic album called "Makeup Off" (which is a very clever name by the way). What made you do an all acoustic second album?
Lindsay: "MAKEUP OFF" WAS REALLY AN ATTEMPT TO GIVE FANS A CHANCE TO HEAR WHAT I SOUNDED LIKE COMPARED TO MY FIRST CD. I FELT THAT MY WRITING WAS DIFFERENT AND I WAS ALSO MUCH MORE INDEPENDENT AS A MUSICIAN AND AS SOMEONE IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS, WHICH WAS VERY IMPORTANT. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE COOL TO GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE TO TAKE HOME WHAT THEY HEARD AT SHOWS, OR JUST TO LET THEM HEAR THE SONGS THE WAY THEY ARE WHEN I FIRST WRITE THEM - ACOUTIC, NATURAL, MAKEUP OFF.
Me: Here's a serious question... you are part of something that is very cool called... and please correct me if I get this name wrong... Alex's Lemonade Stand. Tell the readers what that is.
Lindsay: ALEX'S LEMONADE STAND IS A CHARITY THAT NOW LIVES ON IN MEMORY OF THE ORIGINAL CREATOR - ALEX - A LITTLE GIRL WHO DIED OF CANCER. SHE SOLD LEMONADE TO RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER RESEARCH. IN 2006, I BELIEVE IT WAS, I LAUNCHED A ONE-TIME CONCERT SERIES WHERE I PLAYED A FEW SHOWS TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE CAUSE. IT WAS FUN TO SEE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. MAYBE I'LL DO THAT AGAIN SOMETIME. I LOVE TO DO ALL THE CHARITY WORK.
Me: You seem to have a few fan sites, Lindsay, even one from Germany. Does that creep you out? I am jealous, I don't have a fan site.
Lindsay: NO! IT DOESN'T CREEP ME OUT AT ALL! IT'S SO COOL. I APPRECIATE SUPPORT FROM ANYONE, ANYWHERE! I USUALLY CHECK THE SITES OUT WHEN SOMEONE LETS ME KNOW THEY'VE MADE ONE, AND THE WE MAKE SURE IT GETS POSTED ON MY SITE IN THE 'LINKS' SECTION.
Me: On your website you have links to Coldstone Ice Cream and Starbucks. What drink do you normally get there? Man, that was a stupid question.
Lindsay: THAT'S NOT A STUPID QUESTION AT ALL! HAHA IT'S A LOADED ONE THOUGH! LETS SEE...DURING THE SUMMER, I USUALLY GET AN ICED CARAMEL MACHIATTO OR AN ICED TAZO TEA. NOW THAT IT'S HOLIDAY TIME, I'VE BEEN MORE INTO RASPBERRY MOCHAS AND PEPPERMINT MOCHA TWISTS. I ALWAYS GET EXCITED WHEN THE HOLIDAYS ROLL AROUND AND STARBUCKS STARTS TO USE THE RED CUPS! SIMPLE PLEASURES...
Me: You seem to be associated with lots of different i.e. mpower, National Center for Missing Children and ChildHelp USA. What draws you to these organizations? I think it's cool that someone your age is connected with the community. I wish I was.
Lindsay: I'VE BEEN A NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON FOR MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA/MPOWER:MUSICIANS FOR MENTAL HEALTH, SINCE 2004. GROWING UP, I WANTED TO BE A CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST. AS I STARTED TO GET MORE INVOLVED WITH MY MUSIC, IT ALL STARTED TO COME TOGETHER IN A GREAT WAY THAT I NEVER COULD'VE PLANNED FOR. NOW, I GET TO TOUR ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, PLAYING SCHOOLS TO RAISE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS THROUGH MY MUSIC! I REALLY LIKE TO BE A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS, ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS.
Me: Okay, here's a question I ask all my interviewees... what is your favorite Foghat song?
Lindsay: HMMM...I REALLY DON'T KNOW. I'LL HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT ONE.
Me: If someone wants to start performing and start a successful music career like yours, what advice can you give them?
Lindsay: I CAN'T EXPRESS ENOUGH, HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO NEVER QUIT! IF YOU WANT IT BAD ENOUGH, YOU'LL STICK IT OUT AND KEEP TRYING NEW THINGS UNTIL SOMETHING WORKS. IF YOU'RE STILL PLAYING THE GAME AFTER GETTING KNOCKED DOWN HARD, YOU'LL KNOW YOU'RE MEANT TO PLAY!
Me: Are there any websites of yours, or organizations you wish to plug, and is there anything else you wish to tell the phans of the Phile?
Lindsay: DEFINITELY, PLEASE CHECK OUT MYSPACE. COM/LINDSAY RUSH. I'M ALSO ON FACEBOOK (JUST SEARCH LINDSAY RUSH-MUSIC), AND ALSO TWITTER.COM/LINDSAYRUSH I UPDATE ALL THE TIME AND I'M ALWAYS ON MY SITES READING MESSAGES AND STUFF. MY OFFICIAL WEBSITE, LINDAYRUSHMUSIC. COM IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, BUT FEEL FREE TO CHECK IT OUT AS IT CONTINUES TO COME TOGETHER. ALSO CHECK OUT MYSPACE. COM/OFFICIALPATBENATAR FOR COOL UPDATES ON MY FRIENDS THERE! THANK YOU SO MUCH! THIS WAS FUN!
That was a sweet interview. I thought she was mad at me though as she typed all in capitols. Anyway, hopefully I will interview her again when her CD comes out. Tomorrow don't forget is my biggest interview yet... Webb Wilder. So, until then, spread the word, not the turd. Now I have to go to work.
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