Songstress Lindsey Walker will be testing out some new songs at her upcoming gig at Legacy Guitar and Coffee House. The singer said this will be her first time stopping in Cochrane and she is excited to explore the town and play an intimate venue.
“I’ve heard great things about Legacy – it’s quite lovely [and] they have a great line up of people coming through,” Walker exclaims.
“I feel blessed to be able to travel around and do the things that I love, seeing the landscape and the people and community.”
Walker will be playing a mix of new songs she has written for her a future album with songs from her last album – both completely different sounding from each other.
“I’ve taken on a different style of writing and arranging songs – more along the lines of indie boots rock,” Walker said.
The singer’s last 2013 album, Our Glory, was an ode to Walker’s late aunt, Gloria, one of the suspected victims of infamous serial killer Robert Pickton. The album came out 20 years after the disappearance of her aunt – it was then Walker realized she wanted to make a difference with her music, turning the album into heartfelt songs as a commemoration to the missing women of East Vancouver and Walker’s own journey of learning about her aunt’s disappearance.
“All of my songs I write come from a deeply personal place – I try not to be that open about myself in person,” Walker said. “But there will be a lot more happy songs [on this tour].”
While Walker does admit her songs can be darker – she promises she is not like that in person.
“I write songs that affect me in a dark or positive or loving way,” Walker explains. “When something darker happens, I write. But I’m generally a pretty happy person; my music doesn’t always show it.”
One of the ways Walker does show her lighter side is through stand-up comedy and improv shows on the side.
“I still do [comedy] from time to time and I love being able to incorporate that way of interacting with people during my shows,” Walker said.
“[But] with my music I can be more honest about things and it’s a more introspective look at my life.”
Originating from Winnipeg, Walker said she took a roundabout way to get to where she is now. The singer first started out in theatre and musicals as a teenager, singing classical music as she grew up before moving to Edmonton almost 10 years ago and joining bands and singing in concerts.
“My first album was very friendly in a way that was radio friendly – a safe first album to release, and I am super happy with the way it went, but I have certainly grown as a musician and writer,” Walker explained.
After the last album with the definite theme, Walker said she played around with the new songs and the lyrics will not be as personal.
“The theme I’m gathering [for the new album] is ‘fear’ – it sounds negative, but there are always two things that drive us and it is fear or love, depending on what we do or don’t do,” Walker said.
“If I write all happy songs then I feel like I’m shoving my happiness in people’s faces – people don’t always want to hear about it.”
Lindsey Walker will be play at Legacy Oct. 3. For more information and for tickets visit legacyguitar.com.
