Musicians Featured: Lindsey Blackwell
August 19, 2022
Cover Photo Credit: Stephanie Eley
Lindsey Blackwell on her dynamic debut single Flowers
August 19, 2022
Earlier this week, I spoke with dynamic performer Lindsey Blackwell. Lindsey is a talented triple threat whom you may recognize from her role as Kendra in Netflix’s 13: The Musical. We spoke about the impact that music has had on her life, her love for Lizzo, and the role that music plays in connecting communities.
Lindsey’s debut single, Flowers, is all about first relationships and first loves – and how these relationships can teach you about your own self-worth. Whether you’re reminiscing on an old crush or falling for someone completely new, Flowers will remind you of the kind of relationship that makes both people better.
Keep reading to learn about Lindsey’s inspiring work with non-profit Girls for a Change, the Hamilton song that describes her life right now, and how she wants people to feel after listening to Flowers.
Emily Weatherhead, Founder
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EW: How did you first get started with music, and how did that lead you to where you are today?
LB: Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve been playing piano since I was 11, both of my parents played the saxophone in high school, and my great aunt encouraged both me and my brother to play piano.
I do think it has benefitted me as my career has grown because I was able to do 13. I was also raised in a church where I was doing music heavily. Music has always been a part of me.
EW: You recently played Kendra in 13: The Musical. What was your favourite part about that experience?
LB: I actually have two favourite parts. One is that I got to meet some of my really close friends. The whole cast of 13, we talk almost every day and they’re just a huge part of me now.
I’m also really thankful for the discipline I gained after working on 13. We went through two months of rehearsals, and the constant practicing really helped me get more disciplined. I have no complaints about the overall process for sure.
“Music is my outlet when I can’t say or express what I want to.”
EW: There’s something really special about the experience of doing a musical – you’re spending so much time together, but even just singing with other people is so connecting.
LB: Yes, exactly!
EW: A lot of the time in musicals, we see characters turn to songs when words alone aren’t enough to describe how they feel. Is there something about music that allows you to express yourself in a way you might not be able to otherwise?
LB: Yes, definitely. Music is my outlet when I can’t say or express what I want to. I sing when I’m frustrated, or listen to songs that I relate to. When I get in a bit of a mood, music always helps me feel better.
EW: If you could choose one song to describe your life right now, what song would you choose?
LB: The song that represents my life and what I’m going through right now is actually Wait for It from Hamilton. There are a lot of things I’m striving for in my career right now, and I’m having to wait for a lot of things and be patient and let my time come.
EW: That’s such a good song! I actually have a mug on my desk with the line “I am the one thing in life I can control” on it. It’s such a good song.
LB: Exactly, it’s such a great song. I’m in love with the entire Hamilton soundtrack.
“Flowers…is about knowing you’re beautiful, and you’re worthy of being loved the correct way.”
EW: You’re currently working on an EP. What can you share about what inspired it?
LB: A bulk of the EP is covers of songs that I resonate with, and that I’ve loved for a long time. There’s one original song. I didn’t write it, but I got together with the people who wrote it, and I deeply related to it.
It’s called Flowers, and it’s basically a huge metaphor. It’s about someone treating you the right way – it’s your first love, and you guys are making each other better. It’s about knowing you’re beautiful, and you’re worthy of being loved the correct way. I deeply resonated with that – I just think it’s a very great song!
EW: That’s such a great message! How do you want people to feel after listening to Flowers?
LB: There’s a couple of things that I want people to get from it. I want people to see a different side of me because I haven’t really put this side out before.
I would also say, for people who are going through their first love or even their first crush, knowing your worth is a huge thing. Not even just in relationships, but in life overall. That’s one of the things I took away from it: You’re worth it.
“Music is a universal language. Even without the words, music itself is deeply touching.”
EW: Are there any artists that are really inspiring you right now?
LB: My answer to this question recently has been Lizzo! I strive to have her ultimate energy, performance level, and stage presence. I want to do a lot of things that she’s been doing. She’s been really inspiring. I enjoy her music and she’s also just a lot of fun.
EW: Definitely! Onstage and even on social media, she’s so engaging.
LB: Yeah! And she doesn’t act like your typical celebrity – she feels like a normal person. I think that’s also great, that she’s so relatable.
EW: How do you think music can build community and connect us?
LB: I say that music is a universal language. Even without the words, music itself is deeply touching. I’ve seen music bring people together firsthand. Ultimately, if people set aside their differences, music is a great tool for bringing people together.
“Making music accessible is such a great thing, because music can reach everybody.”
EW: Speaking of community, you’re a big supporter of Girls for a Change, an organization that empowers Black girls to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Would you like to share anything about your involvement with their “One Million Reasons to Build” campaign?
LB: Yeah! I actually hosted their 2022 Diva Bag auction, and all the proceeds from that go to their “One Million Reasons to Build” campaign. They’re working to expand their building in Richmond and trying to make a better space for Black girls to be involved.
I haven’t been to their place physically, but I’ve seen pictures, and I think their vision for how they want their building to be is great! They have paintings up where girls can see people that look like them, and it’s overall just a very uplifting non-profit.
My experience working with Girls for a Change has been great. Everyone involved was very uplifting and encouraging, and that’s one of the things that I really loved about them. It was a fun experience to just be around them. Their mission is something that I definitely resonate with.
EW: Do you have any final thoughts on the importance of making music accessible to our communities?
LB: Like I said before, I think music is a universal language. Music is such a broad spectrum. There are the instruments, there’s the lyrics, there’s the beat. There are just so many things that people can connect to.
I feel like making music accessible is such a great thing, because music can reach everybody. It can resonate with anyone, and if people give themselves the room to explore new genres or new artists, there are so many ways you can go. With music, you can never go wrong.
