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

Lindsay, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

It was during the height of lockdown in 2020, when none of us knew if we’d make it through (devastatingly, so many did not), that I decided I could not die without telling my own story. To be clear, I want to live until I’m at least 103, but, whenever my time comes, I want to have shown all the way up as myself. I realized that I do not want to be a mystery to be projected upon, I want to tell you who I am, as I am, while I’m right in front of you.

So I started baring my guts.

I’d always been pouring myself out at the piano, discovering, confessing. But I’d been censoring what I shared.

First, I wanted it to sound perfect, whatever that means. And since I’m not a one-man-band/engineer, this always felt out of reach.

And also, I told myself that only some of my stories, some of my emotions, some of my truth, was constructive, was worth contributing.

But in 2020, I just started posting things. Songs that were sloppy. Feelings that were messy. Truths that were uncomfortable.

By the summer of 2022, I was realizing I’d been lying to myself that this was all I needed, that I didn’t really care if my music ever made it out into the world. I confessed to myself that it had to, if I were to truly honor both my deepest desires and some of my most important offerings to the collective.

This forced me to confront that I’d been semi-consciously waiting for someone else to back me, to invest in me, to tell me they saw my potential and to help me actualize it. I reflected and realized how much power I actually do have as evidenced in the ways I’ve helped others go on to thrive. I decided it was time to do that for myself.

And since I’d gone through this “showing my guts” process of revelation and empowerment (I can say these things and show up this way and the world hasn’t collapsed around me?!), I had enough of a blooper reel of my music to throw together and put online.

Enter Garrett Langebartels.

We first began to work together on my music as a solo project; him as producer/engineer, me as songwriter/artist.

We quickly discovered through a natural creative mind meld dynamic that we have that what we were doing was co-producing. We slowly discovered through trust and friendship and creative magic and fun and outside observation that we were, that we are, a band.

We’re releasing our first single, Cycle, on September 21, 2023. It is the riskiest song I’ve ever written. All my guts are in it. And Garrett’s are mixed up in it too.

It’s risky as (insert whatever four-letter word you prefer, dear reader).

It’s important.

And it’s a truth part of my story and what I, we, have to offer.

And we’re just getting started.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am the lead songwriter/singer for the band LITTRELL (myself and Garrett Langebartels, plus a full band when live). We’re currently in the studio working on our debut album, Public Love. And we are releasing our first single, Cycle, on all music streaming platforms on September 21.

Some of the feedback of preview listeners describing their experience of us includes “eclectic and soulful with a rock edge and heavy on the ethereal,” “orchestral,” “dramatic but soothing,” “a slow burn gothic novel,” “smoldering,” “dark, edgy, stunning,” “singular, unique,” “brilliant,” “intimate, beautiful,” “evocative,” “heavy modern vibes but in the coolest way,” “just a mood… right from when it starts, you’re just in the world, in the universe, in the mood,” “like a wave that crashes over you but you know you’re okay,” “surprising vocals – deep and wise and rich,” “you can tell there’s a lot of knowledge in these notes,” “complex,” “a serious listen,” “f*** yeah,” “very dark and moody – you definitely have a sound,” “singular,” and, “cinematic.”

Accompanied with celebratory recognition our uniqueness, as we truly did not seek out to “sound like…”, rather to pull out our guts and see what they are, those same early listeners have suggested a kinship in our sound with a range of artists including Radiohead, My Brightest Diamond, Lykke Li, The Weekend, Kate Bush, St. Vincent, U2, Portishead, The Cure, Florence + The Machine, Mitski, Joy Division, Depeche Mode, The Cocteau Twins, and Massive Attack.

We certainly bow to the named and unnamed deep and wide range of music and of life that has shaped, nurtured and nourished us while proudly offering this (in-progress) record as story and sound coming straight from our core.

I personally would say our sound is blend of vulnerability and power. So too is the story, my story, and the feelings I think they evoke together.

As the songwriter on this project, this record traces the journey of my relationship with myself through the (sometimes funhouse) mirror of my love life. The title is part nod to Cornel West’s definition of love (and to bell hooks, of course), part flirtatious wink, and part acknowledgment of how public my experiences with love and heartbreak have been over course of my entire life. And as has been echoed in listener feedback, it is indeed an intense journey, one that I’m ready to own and to share and invite others into and I am so grateful to get to do this with Garrett.

We are about two-thirds of the way through production on our 12-song debut LP, and will soon release an EP as its forerunner, both executive and co- produced by me (Lindsay Littrell); and produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by my lovely bandmate and creative partner, Garrett Langebartels.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I don’t think there is such a thing as “non-creatives.”

Living is creative.

The decision to take a different route to work today. How you plate your food. How you make love, this time different than the last.

Art certainly helps us all contextualize our lives and tap into feelings we might not have easy access to. I am grateful for the music, the film, the fine art, that has offered a portal to wonder, to empathy, to healing…

And some of the most impactful acts of creativity that have shaped me are not in a gallery or on a stage or a screen.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that you are a constant process of creation as is everything you do.

Yes, I feel my feelings most easily when my fingers are on the piano. Yes, I have access to words and metaphors that help me understand them better. Yes, I have a knowing for how to bring them to life in a way that gives voice to my guts. And yes, they turn out to actually be really beautiful and powerful and, I believe, they have something to offer the world beyond me.

That’s my offering.

But I genuinely do not believe that there is a single person on this planet who doesn’t have their own creative offering that we all (when wielded toward love and liberation) can benefit from.

I want to fan those flames, the ones in which we each show all the way up with what we have and are wowed by one another’s uniqueness.

The way you know how to word that encouraging text. How you are the first to notice the sunset and you make sure everyone around you appreciates it too. The way you comfort your child when they cry.

Living is creative.

And, I think, noticing it is art.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Oh goodness, well, first, solidarity to all those on strike and power to the poor and working class (which most of us artists are among).

We need to transform our systems to care for people. This includes artists actually being able to make money on our art, yes. It also includes things like universal healthcare, student debt forgiveness, affordable housing…

Meanwhile, while we’re building that world, we’re all trying to figure out how to survive in the one we’re in.

There are things each person can do to help. I’ll use myself and my band as an example, since we’re here.

We have a Patreon. I’m showing up there and encouraging folx and sharing our story and inviting people into the inside of our journey. The investment our beautiful patrons make is helping to fund the record, to pay for bandmates’ time and energy, to buy the gear we need to take this live… And, their presence is encouragement to me when I’m tempted to feel alone. If you have $2/month (or more) and you want to help support our music, that is a powerful and intimate way to do so.

Next, we’re releasing our first single, Cycle, on September 21. I’ll soon be putting out an opportunity to pre-save it. That helps tremendously. Put it on playlists when it comes out. Share it with your friends, with your enemies (mostly kidding), with everyone. 

We’re having our first show at Patron Saint in Indianapolis at 7pm on September 29. Come out! Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. We would LOVE to share that night with you. And we’ll have merch — wear us home.

But in addition to those practical things that really do make a huge difference for us (and similar actions for other artists you love and want to support), I’m such a huge believer in collaboration as a way of having each other’s back.

What does mutuality look like for you? I have a few things to offer the world. I’m doing my best to do that. Maybe you’re great at calling people to ask for things. (Please hit me up if you are because, wow, is that scary for me). Maybe you like to take walks all over the city and might wanna put up posters for us while you’re at it (once again, hit me up).

I crave supportive connection. I think most if not all of us do.

So connect to the artists that make the art that moves you. They’re offering you something of their guts. Don’t feel intimidated to offer something back. We need each other.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thisislittrell.com
• Instagram: @thebandlittrell
• Other: https://www.patreon.com/thisislittrell

Image Credits
Kristi Swango