Interview: Lindi Ortega

Photo credit: Julie Moe

In today's country music scene, it can be hard to see past all the ballcaps, flannel shirts and red plastic cups. Yet if you do look hard enough, you can find the veil, black dresses and trademark red boots of Lindi Ortega, a Toronto native now based in Nashville. A fine singer and songwriter, Ortega has recently released her fourth full-length album, Faded Gloryville and has
been touring Europe in support of it.

Before her show at The Mash House in Edinburgh, Lindi was kind enough to take some time out to chat to us about her tour, her album, playing at the Grand Ole Opry and share her views on the current country scene.

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How are you finding the tour so far?

- Well, it’s been a little challenging just because I ended up getting sick in Belfast.

It’s a long tour as well, isn’t it?

- It’s a long tour but it’s really just started. We’re about eight days into it and for most of those eight days, I’ve been battling a cold. But I think it’s on the way out soon. I can’t imagine it can get worse than it’s been.

Lindi Performing at The Mash House (23/1)

What’s the tour been like so far? You’ve already played in England, how was that?

- We’ve only done a couple of shows in England. We started off in Ireland and then Glasgow last night and it’s been great. I mean, as good as it can be with me trying to battle a cold and make my way through the shows.

Do you like touring?

- Yeah, when I’m not sick, it’s fun.

Is it difficult being away for so long from friends and family?

- From family, it is. I also have cats so I miss my cats. It will also destroy any relationship you’ve ever had in terms of anything romantic. It doesn’t work out ever for me. It makes for good songs so at least I get something out of it.

You’re off to other parts of Europe after your UK dates. What’s it being from an English speaking country, what’s the language barrier like?

- I mean Sweden has a language barrier, Germany has a language barrier. I’m just used to dealing with countries that their first language isn’t English but people are always, if they like my music, they understand what I’m saying. They make an effort to speak to me. And I make an effort to speak to them, I try to learn little bits and phrases everywhere I go which I think is the kindest thing to do when you’re going to a country that doesn’t speak English.

Let’s talk a little bit about your album. I read that your Cigarettes and Truckstops album was inspired by a Hank Williams biography that you read?

- The album wasn’t inspired by that. I would say that my whole career has been inspired a bit by Hank Williams. My move to Nashville was inspired by that biography as I read a lot about Nashville from reading that biography but no, that record wasn’t really inspired by one particular thing.

So, is it fair to say that Faded Gloryville is the same, that it’s inspired by over the years and not just one thing?

- Yeah. I named – this is the problem I have with naming my record after one song as everybody thinks that the whole record is about the title of that one song and I’m starting to realise that the next record I make isn’t gonna be the title of any of my songs, it’s just gonna be completely different. Yeah, it was just one song that was inspired by a Jeff Bridges movie called Crazy Heart and I wrote this song but all the songs, they’re not all connected and there’s no major or overarching themes or anything.

What’s your songwriting process like? Do you write when you’re on the road or do you sit down and write when you know you’re gonna make an album?

- I don’t really have like a procedure or a formula for how I do it, I just do it differently. Sometimes I’m just inspired, I’ll think of song lyrics when I’m walking down the street and they’ll turn into something and other times they’ll just all come out at once.

Lindi's latest album, Faded Gloryville

You wrote and co-wrote this album all but one song on this album. Do you have a favourite song from the album or any that mean the most to you on the album?

- It changes. And that co-writing my album is very different, I’ve never did that before. I co-wrote a couple of songs on my records before but the reason there was so much co-writing on this record was time constraints, so we were just trying to get songs together in a particular amount of time. It sort of came up quite quickly the fact that we were gonna be making a record so I started to open myself up to working with a bunch of different people and try to come up with a bunch of songs but I rather enjoy writing my own.

There’s obviously a cover on the album, of a Bee Gees song. Was that also down to time constraints or was it just a song you really wanted on there?

- No, I actually really liked that song and I was singing it in my live sets for a really long time so I just wanted to put it on the record.

Last year, you were at the Grand Ole Opry. What was that like?

- It was amazing. I was nervous, I don’t think I’d ever been more nervous for anything in my whole life. That experience…I mean it’s the stage where all my country music heroes played and it was just an incredible experience. I can’t even articulate what it was because it was surreal to me.

What was it like to get that call to play?

- It was surreal. I mean, how could you say no? Are you even asking? Of course!

I read an opinion piece that you did on women in country music. Do you think it might be off putting for women wanting to pursue a career in country music right now, if they don’t think radio will play their music or they don’t think they’ll get heard in the same way that, perhaps, men do?

- It depends. What I do is not considered country music in terms of that world, in terms of mainstream market in new country and radio so I personally don’t chase that, so I can’t speak as I don’t know as that’s a world that I don’t really exist in, but I don’t think anybody should be dissuaded from wanting to do anything that they want to do. I just think that you have to follow, whether you’re a man or a woman or whatever, a path that feels right and passionate for you and don’t listen to what anyone else has to say if you intrinsically feel that way in your soul.

Lindi Performing at The Mash House (23/1)

I saw Angaleena Presley the other day and she performed a song called ‘Outlaw’ and she talked about how her lyrics are seen, by some, to be purposely controversial even though she is not trying to be. Your lyrics could also be seen to be edgier too – do you ever consider the potential reaction to them when writing?

- No. If I was looking to be on country music radio then I would be singing songs that I would hate to perform every night and I don’t have any desire to do that.

Do you think that’s [edgier lyrics] a reason why radio doesn’t want to play your and other women, such as say Angaleena’s and Brandy Clark’s, music as much?

- I honestly don’t know and I don’t think about it and I don’t really care. Country music, as far as I

know now right now and what they play on the radio are men talking about women in blue jean shorts, drinking beer, calling women ‘girl’ and dirt roads, hanging out in trucks, dirt roads whatever and it’s like…do I care that they’re not playing my music or that they wouldn’t play something edgy? No, I don’t. I honestly don’t care.

How would you define country music?

- I couldn’t define it. I have no idea what it is right now. I could tell you what it was and where it came from and the history of it. Right now, country music as far as mainstream radio is concerned is something that is so foreign and alien to anything that I would have considered country music of what I traditionally would listen to. I love classic country. I love Hank Williams – he’s one of my favourites -, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton is a really good example because she’s one hell of a songwriter and a lot of people don’t realise what a huge repertoire of songs she has and what a smart business woman she was. And it seems like lyrics were really such an important thing in country music for a long time and now it seems like they, lyrics, are taking a back seat and that it’s really more for the party crowd and for people going to the bar and wanting to drink and frat boys on a Friday night with their trucks and it doesn’t appeal to me in any sort of way so I really can’t comment on something that…you know. I really can’t comment on it as I don’t listen to it enough. I’ve heard it and it hasn’t seemed to change, it’s the thing that has been going on for the past two, three years. Until it changes, until it becomes something that’s not all that all the time, I’m not really interested in listening to it.

Do you think it will change anytime soon?

- I don’t know. We keep thinking that’s gonna happen when people like Kacey Musgraves win CMAs and get mainstream attention. The same thing with Chris Stapleton but whether that translates to it actually changing and to whether country radio is actually to start playing more songs like that is yet to be seen. And they don’t seem to want to change the formula and perhaps, cycling back to your mentioning of my article that I wrote, perhaps it’s because people like Keith Hill, who was the radio programmer who suggested that we take women out of country music radio, perhaps it is those damaging words that lead to this stagnancy in country music radio and a lack for it to evolve in any sort of way and it’s been the same way for three years so until the evolution really starts occurring, which I don’t know what the catalyst for that is – I thought that maybe it would be a Kacey Musgraves, I thought maybe it would be a Chris Stapleton but we have yet it see it happen.

Finally, one of the things our blog is about is promoting upcoming artists in UK. Do you have any advice for any new artist trying to break through right now?

- I do have advice for somebody who wants to make a living doing what they love and I would just say: be prepared to work your tail off and to sacrifice your rooted life and don’t do it unless you absolutely love it because otherwise you’ll end up resenting it because it takes you away so much. It becomes your whole life and it’s all encompassing. It’s something that you really shouldn’t do unless you have a great passion for it.

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Special thanks, again, to Lindi Ortega and to Six07 Press. You can keep up to date with Lindi through her website and through following her on twitter @lindiortega.

Caught Live: Lindi Ortega @ The Mash House, Edinburgh (23/1)

If Lindi Ortega hadn't included Lemsip amongst her thank yous at the end of the show, you would never have guessed that she was, and has been, suffering from a cold for much of the first half of her UK dates. With her band laying down the beat, Lindi bounded onto the small Mash House Stage promptly at half eight, setting a high energy level - that'd be impressive sans cold - from the get go.

The large crowd, crammed into the small room, welcomed her with rapturous applause. This crowd was diverse and dedicated, with a wide age range and with many who had travelled far to be there - such as the gentleman who told me he faced a three hour drive home- and many who had either been to see her already on this tour or were going to other dates. Some had, of course, seen her on her other visits to the UK but for others, including myself, it was the first time seeing her live - and she didn't just live up to all the good things I had heard about her live show; she completely smashed them.

The opener, fast paced and catchy 'Rundown Neighbourhood', was the first of many songs from her most recent release Faded Gloryville, the album that this tour was in support of. 'Half Moon', a lullaby to the moon, sounds gorgeous recorded but is a song that is even more gorgeous live, a perfect showcase of Lindi's unique and brilliant vocals and she showed off more of her musical talents when she toook briefly to the drums during 'Run Amuck'.

Songs from other albums were mixed in the set, including the fan favourites 'Tin Star' - with added twang - and 'Cigarettes and Truckstops', both from the albums of the same names and both proved especially popular. Three covers also featured: Lindi's take on The Bee Gees' 'To Love Somebody' (that also features on her most recent release), a stunning version of The Eagles' 'Desperado' and a brilliant cover of the Cash classic 'Ring of Fire' to close the night.

Between songs, she chatted about away about her love of Primark and haunted toilets as well as breaking into an impromptu Jazz song or two with her superb lead guitarist, 'Champagne' James Robertson (her backing band, comprised of Robertson, drummer Noah Hungate and bassist Ryan Gavel also just have to be mentioned as they were fantastic the whole night). An assured performer, Lindi looked completely at home on stage the whole night and, like the audience, seemed to be having a ball on stage, breaking into wide smiles at numerous points.

A big voice with a big talent, it's always a treat to see an artist and their band of such a high calibre at such intimate venues - that evening was no different. And if that was Lindi Ortega with a cold, then I'd love to see her without one - as she has already set some very high standards for all the 2016 concerts lined up in my calendar.

Still touring the UK, there are still chances to catch her on the following dates:
January 26 - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
January 27 - The Cluny, Newcastle
January 29 - East Village Arts Club, Liverpool
January 30 - The Ruby Lounge, Manchester
January 31 - The Globe, Cardiff
February 2 - Thekla, Bristol
February 3 - Komedia, Brighton
February 4 - Islington Assembly Hall, London

Caught Live: Celtic Connections Presents In The Round (21/1)

As part of its annual festival, Celtic Connections puts on a night of good old fashioned singer-songwritership. Held at the lovely Tron Theatre in Glasgow, this year it brought us Noah Gundersen, Angaleena Presley and Anderson East who all took turns to sing and tell a story. Each artist had the perfect spotlight to shine in front of a mixture of their own fans as well as new ears...and shine they all did. I guess the best way to review the evening's entertainment is to look at each act separately, which I shall now do.

Noah Gundersen

I'll be honest: I hadn't heard of Noah Gundersen before he was announced. I honestly would not have gone to see him if he had been on his own (not merely because I hadn't heard of him, more because I have to travel and travel and concert tickets, as my bank balance weeps daily, are expensive). Would I go see him after seeing him at Celtic Connections? Most possibly.

Gundersen isn't really country. He leans more towards folk than country with strong indie influences thrown in too. Not usually my preferred style of music but I am not going to discredit the guy on my personal preferences. He is a really good singer and a great guitarist too. A quick little search on Google says that he also plays the piano which, of course, wasn't on hand this evening. He's definitely a talented guy and, although he is not really that country, I'd still recommend you give him a listen.

Look for a song called 'Cigarettes'. It's wonderful and it was my favorite song he sang. There are a lot of songs out there that compare lovers/ex-lovers to addictions and a lot of them can feel very forced. Gundersen's does not. It's not trying that hard to force this aforementioned addiction comparison down our throats and that is why it works so well - it's effortless. Go. Go listen to it now and thank me later.

Angaleena Presley

It's nice to say that Holler Annie is becoming a frequent visitor to these shores. On her second tour in the space of just six months, Angaleena Presley is becoming a firm favorite with UK audiences.

The plus side to Angaleena taking part in the evening's festivities as part of Celtic Connections? It brought her back to Glasgow and back to fans who loved her stellar show at Broadcast last July. The downside? As it was part of this Celtic Connections event, it meant that she only performed six songs, instead of the full set she's playing as part of her current UK tour elsewhere. Yet, it left everyone wanting more - new fans included who didn't come to see her in particular this evening. Surely planting the seeds for another return...smart lady. And a witty one too. And so darn talented.

Like last July, she seemed to stumble a little as she got going, tripping over a lyric or two - she handled it like a pro, however - before hitting her stride. Angaleena Presley is not an artist that country radio deems that 'radio friendly'. For example, she sings about meth whores. And that is a shame because she sings and writes about meth whores not to shock but to tell a story. In fact, a new song called 'Outlaw' is actually about this notion that she is trying to be controversial when she's really not, she's just telling a story. (Angaleena actually used the example of growing body hair to explain the song but I am not Angaleena and I don't think I can use the body hair analogy as effortlessly as her, so I'll just stick to the meth whore one).

I am rambling so I'll sum her performance up in a sentence and a question. Listen to her album American Middle Class, marvel over how good her voice sounds on every track and then picture it sounding even better live because it somehow is. And if you don't have American Middle Class by now, what is wrong with you?

Anderson East

You could give Anderson East top marks alone for making the trip with a broken arm and then proceeding to play guitar - against his doctor's advice, he remarked at one point. He's dedicated and passionate about music - *ahem* unlike a few global popstars who have canceled a show for a lot less *ahem* - and the music he played was good. Damn good.

His style is a blend of country, soul and rhythm and blues and he is, right now, perhaps best known for dating Miranda Lambert. This won't last...and no, I am not talking about their relationship (this is not TMZ or People or whatever). Anderson East proved in a set of a mere six songs, that he is set for his own big break and will become star with his music. Playing tracks from his first major label release, Delilah, East show exactly why he has been selling out shows back in the States. His soulful voice growled at times during 'Devil In Me' whilst it was more playful on 'Only You'. He is also incredibly charming and I think it's fair to conclude that at least a few people fell in love with him at some point during the evening.

The highlight of his set was, painfully, a song that he said that he hasn't recorded yet, titled 'Cabinet Door'. It's quite hard to describe this particular song than anything that just beautiful because it was, it really was. The emotion of it seemed to catch the audience off guard, knocked the words out of an already respectfully quiet audience and left them stunned. East possesses a great voice, vocally, but it is perhaps his ability to tell a story with words that is his best weapon in his arsenal. He's definitely one to watch.


All in all, it was a great night. Whilst it is unlikely that these three artists will share a stage again anytime soon seems unlikely, it is a very good bet that they'll be coming back soon for their own shows which I thoroughly recommend you join me in going to when they do.

Country Idols: A Look at American Idol (Part One)

American Idol returns tonight on 4Music for it's 15th, and final, season. The show has discovered stars from a variety of genres so, to commemorate Idol coming to an end, we take a look at some of the country stars that the show introduced to.

Carrie Underwood

The obvious choice to start off with is also the most successful choice.

Before auditioning for the fourth season of American Idol, Carrie Underwood had never been on an airplane; flash forward a decade later, she's jetting all over the world for shows, TV appearances and to headline festivals. She's released five studio albums - four of which now platinum and her fifth, Storyteller is already classified gold after selling half a million copies in the space of three months - and is the only country artist to have had their first five studio albums debut at either #1 or #2 on the Billboard 200. Her still relatively young career has spanned 7 Grammys and global record sales estimated at over 60 million. Since 2008, she has co-hosted the CMA awards with Brad Paisley - she has also won 5 CMA awards herself, including three consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year awards. The most staggering part of Underwood's success? Is that this paragraph is merely scraping the surface of what Carrie has achieved since taking the Idol crown in 2005. Did we also mention that she was Maria in NBC's The Sound of Music Live! in 2013, a live TV spectacle that attracted an audience of about 20 million? Nope, I don't think we did and it just shows how much Underwood has done in a decade in a career that just keeps going from strength to strength.

Scotty McCreery

Scotty McCreery auditioned in Milwaukee with his soulful rendition of Josh Turner's 'Your Man' and wowed the then judging panel of Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler who were not expecting such a mature sound from a sixteen year old. He went on to win the tenth season of American Idol at the tender age of seventeen and remains, to date, the youngest male to win the show.

Still only in his early twenties, McCreery's career is still very much in it's tentative stages but with two #1 albums already to his name as well as tours opening for Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts and his own two headlining productions, it's already gotten off to a great start.

His third album is due sometime this year and, as hinted by McCreery himself, a UK tour - his first - may also be on the cards. 2016 looks set to be another busy and big year for the North Carolina boy.

Casey James

Shaggy haired Casey James will be remembered by some as the contestant who whipped his top off in the audition room for Victoria Beckham and Kara DioGuardi but, to others, he'll be remembered as the contestant who whipped his top off in the audition room for Victoria Beckham and Kara DioGuardi who went on to release a solid debut country album.


Although his career has gone somewhat quiet recently, the aforementioned album James released post-idol, Casey James, was well-received and spawned the singles 'Let's Don't Call It A Night' and 'Crying on a Suitcase' that both sold way over 100,000 units and it was difficult to not have heard them on country radio. Unfortunately, subsequent releases did not receive similar airplay and/or sales.

It will be interesting to see where James goes next and how he'll fare. A solid (and charming) singer, guitarist and songwriter, he has the potential to be a big player within country music. Yet regardless of whatever does happen, it can definitely be said that Casey James was a great talent discovered by the show.


Kelly Clarkson

Putting aside the platinum selling albums, the numerous Grammys and many, many, many other awards that Kelly Clarkson has went on to achieve in the world of pop after winning the inaugural season back in 2002, Clarkson has also an ever-growing presence within country music.

2010 saw her teaming up with Jason Alden on the Grammy nominated, ACA, ACM and CMA award-winning single 'Don't You Wanna Stay'. Another duet, this time on her own album Greatest Hits: Chapter One, was a duet with Vince Gill and in 2013 she released the bluesy country single 'Tie It Up' which she performed at CMA Fest that year.

Kelly has spoken often of her desire to release a full country album and has revealed in interviews that she was working on one whilst also working on her lates album, Piece By Piece. She's already made a big impact with the relatively small - in comparison to her extensive discography - contribution she's already made to country music and it feels as if it's only a matter of time before she releases that longed for, full country record. Watch this space.