We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsey Giffey and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lindsey, what are you inspired by?
I’m inspired by the ability to be a part of something bigger than myself. Community is such a huge part of who we are as human beings and I think being able to play music that people can relate to and find community in makes it more special. Each time I play the guitar, I know I’m doing it for more than just myself. It’s amazing how something can have an impact on someone who once was and still may be a total stranger to you. I feel inspired to keep moving forward with creativity and kindness, because you never know how big that impact can be.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a solo live looping guitarist and singer. I play an acoustic guitar through a multi channel loop station with a guitar effects processor, giving me sounds of all different angles which allowed me to craft my own unique “brand” of what my music sounds like. It’s hard to say what genre I play, because it’s really quite unique to what I have found works for me. I took a few very basic guitar lessons as a kid, but I find myself still learning the instrument every time I pick it up to play. Learning guitar wasn’t easy for me, I actually struggled with it a lot at the beginning. but I believe in persistence and trying again until you figure something out, so that was my winning ticket. The biggest lesson I’ve learned in this creative journey which I’ve also crafted into my own business is that not everyone will like you, and that’s okay. I’m not trying to be anything I’m not. I’m not trying to sound like one specific guitarist or singer, I’m just trying to do what works for me. Whether playing covers or my original songs, they come from a unique place within and are original to me. Something I feel sets me apart from some musicians is that many of my covers drift far from the original song, because I just like to make it my own. That’s my favorite part of my “brand.”
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For me it would be exploring the smaller towns and mountainous areas. Going to visit an alpine lake or taking a hike are totally my style. I don’t know the city super well, but I know the spots I’m comfortable in. Since I spend so much of my time in the gigging setting, I often find myself taking visitors to some of the breweries, restaurants, and other venues I play. To show them around and introduce them to the people I call my friends. One of my favorite places to take visitors is Golden, Colorado. To me, Golden is such a gem of a town. My favorite spots are Lookout Mountain, Clear Creek Canyon, and Woody’s Wood Fired Pizza. You can have fun wherever you go, you just have to have the right attitude and open your eyes to see!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have a lot of shoutouts to give in terms of where I am in life with my music, ranging from owners of venues that book me, to friends who have become family through playing music with me, and to my family for supporting me in doing what I love. But I think the biggest shoutout I have is to my parents. My mom, dad, and stepdad all have a musical background. My mom and dad had me in piano lessons from a very young age, which was where my musical journey started. My mom played violin in the church orchestra, my dad was lead guitarist in multiple rock/jam fusion bands, and my stepdad a long time band director and music instructor. Growing up, I had the option to pickup any instrument I wanted to. I joined the school band in percussion and ended up staying with it all through high school and college, even receiving a scholarship for drum line at McKendree University. My parents have always been supportive of my music; helping me invest in lessons, equipment, instruments, etc. After losing my dad suddenly in 2016, I knew playing music would be the main way I continued to honor him. I consider myself extremely lucky that I am able to make a living doing it, but it comes from the hard work I was taught by my parents..
Website: https://www.reverbnation.com/lindseypaigegiffey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindseygiffeymusic/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindseyGiffeyMusic/
Image Credits
Ashley Creative Co.