We recently connected with Lindsay Drake and have shared our conversation below.

Lindsay , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

One of the most unexpected challenges in my creative journey happened in 2021, and it changed the entire trajectory of my life. I was traveling to LA for a dream music gig, opening a show for my longtime musical hero and mentor, Charlotte Martin, who was my favorite artist growing up. It was a little over a year into the pandemic and playing this show felt like a rebirth. I was ready. I was prepared. I had worked for years to get to this moment.

But on the way there, everything took a sharp turn. Literally. The bus I was riding in was t-boned by another large truck and I was catapulted from my seat into a luggage rack. At the time, I didn’t understand the severity of what had happened. I was bleeding, shaking, and disoriented, but the performer in me went into autopilot. I had waited so long for this opportunity and I didn’t want to lose it. So I continued to LA and performed, all while stifling panic attacks and tending to fresh injuries. I don’t recommend that, by the way. The adrenaline masked the damage, so I had no idea how injured I truly was until days later.

In the months that followed, my body and brain crashed in ways I never saw coming. What I thought would be a normal recovery turned into years of neurological symptoms, loss of independence, and the unraveling of the life I had built. I lost my job. I sold my car to cover medical bills. I could barely walk through my own home without help. It felt like someone opened a valve in my soul and let everything drain out.

At one point after the crash, I wanted to stop music. It felt like the easy thing to do, the path of least resistance when my body and brain were failing me. But my mentor, Charlotte, who had also suffered from a chronic neurological condition, encouraged me to keep going. She told me to meet myself where I was and to build music into my recovery. She reminded me that being an artist is about creating in whatever way you can. Continuing music was the harder choice, but now looking back, I am so glad I made it.

Once I learned to integrate music into my recovery, everything shifted. Even on the days I could barely function, I would try to listen to a song or write a single lyric. And the more I did, even in small increments, the stronger I became. What felt like the end of my life became the beginning of a more grounded, resilient, and intentional creative chapter. I learned firsthand that art isn’t just something you make. It’s something you are. And that creativity is a powerful healing medicine.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As an Atlanta-based singer, songwriter, and pianist, I’ve been making music my whole life- starting piano at age four, voice at twelve, and performing in musicals, local bands, and various creative projects over the years.

Although I always pursued music in some fashion, my story really begins in 2021 when I was traveling to a dream gig in LA and experienced a life-changing bus crash. I was left with a traumatic brain injury and a long recovery that derailed the life I knew. During that time, music became my anchor, and I learned firsthand the healing power of creativity.

Now, almost five years later, I focus on music full time, releasing emotive, piano-driven songs like Orange & Cinnamon and preparing a full-length album for 2026. I’m also an artist and a service dog handler. I create handmade, eco-friendly upcycled candles and paintings that pair with my music, and all proceeds support the cost of my service dog, who makes it possible for me to perform, record, and fully participate in music again.

I’m also a passionate advocate for access in the music industry. Experiencing sudden disability taught me how critical accommodations are, and I now work to help ensure that venues, stages, and creative spaces are inclusive so that other artists and fans with disabilities can thrive.

Through music, writing, and art, my mission is to create spaces where people can alchemize pain into something meaningful, know they aren’t alone, and reconnect with hope. Creativity is the bridge that connects us all, even in our hardest moments, and I truly believe art is a healing power that can change the world.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The core mission behind my creative journey is healing, both my own and hopefully other people’s too. I want to make music that moves people, helps them feel seen, and reminds them they’re not alone in what they’re carrying. My hope is that my art becomes a place where listeners can land for a moment, connect with themselves and others, and find a little comfort or strength when they need it most.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was believing resilience meant pushing through at all costs. After my brain injury, I realized healing isn’t linear. Some days I could write a line of a song, and some days all I could do was listen to music. Showing up in whatever way I could, and meeting myself where I was, became the real measure of strength.

I also had to learn the importance of access the hard way. Going from able-bodied to disabled overnight taught me how critical accommodations are, especially in the music industry. My service dog has been a game-changer, helping me perform, record, and get back to shows safely. Experiences like this made me a strong advocate for better access so other artists can thrive too.

The lesson I carry now is that resilience isn’t about ignoring your limits. It’s about honoring them, leaning into your passions gently, and letting creativity guide your healing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lindsaydrakemusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaydrakemusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindsayDrakeMusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaydrakemusic
• Other: Bandcamp: https://lindsaydrakemusic.bandcamp.com/
  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/49CTFwoo9cAUHT5rrjnzzS?si=bQ5zKm2pQWqK8-rp_7wZBg
  Gofundme: https://gofund.me/664a86e1d

Image Credits
Claire Diana Photography, Schafer Gray Photography