Kit Lindsey’s love of music shines through in her epic gothic tale “Appalachian Sunday.” The murder ballad — a feminist twist on an old tale with a modern morally ambiguous lens — soars with emotion and simmers with tension. In our interview, Kit pays homage to the many artists who inspire her distinctive sound.
Name a perfect song and tell us why you feel that way.
“Me and Bobby McGee” by Kris Kristofferson. I’ve always gravitated toward the story of a song more than its melody. The lyricism and storytelling of “Me and Bobby McGee” is unnaturally incredible and the melody just falls perfectly in line. You mix that with the prowess of Janis Joplin, who somehow makes the story unfold in a humble and relatable way while releasing unbridled soulfulness, improvisation, and grit, and you have the perfect song. The song is something everyone can romanticize but still relate to, and I think that’s beautiful.
What was the first concert you ever attended?
When I was 7, I saw Taylor Swift in Greenville, SC. I don’t remember a single thing about the concert itself, but my dad had had a stroke a couple of days before that. I don’t think I had any concept of the gravity of the situation, but I bought him a hat at one of the merch stands that said “Swift” on it and when I gave it to him, said, “For a swift recovery” with a shit-eating grin on my face. We then discovered it was a women’s hat and had no chance of fitting him, but he put it by his bedside and I remember how that silly little thing made him smile.
What’s a recent release you can’t stop listening to?
All of Just Like Leaving by Bella White, but specifically “Not To Blame.”
What are 5 Albums you’ll make your kid listen to?
- Straight Shooter – Bad Company: When I think about influencing my kids’ music taste, I just want to do for them what my mom did for me. Bad Company was her favorite band in high school and quickly became mine too. When she exposed me to Bad Company, I remember thinking how innovative it felt in both Paul Rodgers’ genius and in their ability to blend several genres. I got a Bad Company tattoo when I was 18 and Mom didn’t know about it for a year. This album has a lot of songs that are simply really important to me.
- Doc Watson – Doc Watson: Like Ola Belle Reed, Doc worked to preserve the traditions of Appalachian music and I firmly believe my kids should know where a lot of my inspiration comes from. Additionally, Doc reminds me of my grandmother, as she was a big fan and great musician, and he, in my mind, served as the bridge between the old Appalachian ballads that rose out of Celtic influences and the roots and folk revivals of the 20th century. I hope my kid hears Doc and says “Damn, I want to play guitar like that guy.”
- Rising Sun Melodies – Ola Belle Reed: One of the last remaining true ‘hill musicians’, Ola Belle embodies traditions that I have great respect for and often try to emulate and preserve in my own music. She’s also just an incredible clawhammer player.
- Street Survivors – Lynyrd Skynyrd: I want my kids to have music that gets them hyped up outside of the modern pop and rap genres. This album is very nostalgic of my high school and college years, and is also THE example of Southern Rock.
- With His Hot and Blue Guitar – Johnny Cash: Another pioneer, Johnny Cash laid the foundation for a variety of sub-genres and has one of the greatest voices of all time. I also think this album is one of the more story-focused and iconic albums of his time and scope.
Who would you love to collaborate with and why?
Colter Wall. He was one of the first artists I discovered in the new wave of Americana and Folk and tells stories, new and old, in an incredibly expressive and heart wrenching way. I also happen to think he’s the greatest musical artists of our generation.