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Lindsay explained that the songwriting process she and Bachman have worked
out involves concentrating first on the music.
“I’ve been playing guitar for 10 years now so normally I get that done and
then I build on it with lyrics after that. Randy has such a creative
approach to songwriting. He’s told me that simple is usually better, but
also that the words you choose make a huge difference. It’s amazing how
much you can get with less words rather than more.
“When I just started writing with him I would bring them a song I’d
started on and didn’t really know what to do with and then the three of us
would get together and finish it. But now we start with a clean palette
and see what comes of it.”
Once she has the music worked out, she usually turns to the melody and
then to the words, she said.
“It get the chord progression and then I sing something in my head or I
start playing guitar licks over it, and then a melody comes. And
sometimes, the words come at the exact same time as the melody.”
She uses six string acoustic and electric guitars to write the music. She
uses a Bose BR to record her music during the songwriting process.
As far as lyrics, she says she isn’t allowing the fact she’s only
17-year-old to limit what she writes about.
“I get that a lot, but I don’t really think it’s much of a problem because
I think there’s a different perspective any way you look at things, and
regardless if you’ve had experiences or whether you are looking at
somebody else’s experiences.
“When I started writing songs, when I was 10 years old, I was writing
about life and how it’s important to take it slow and appreciate it. But
now as I’m listening to Randy’s coaching, I’m starting to write about love
and life and basically anything. I don’t really try to limit myself.”
She says she writes her songs on an ongoing basis, throughout the week and
whenever the desire strikes her.
“I like to write as much as I can. Life is crazy busy, but I can never get
enough writing. Usually I love writing when I have the house to myself. I
usually just sit down for an hour and see is anything comes, and if
nothing is coming, I don’t force it and I come back to it the next day.”
Lindsay explained she has expanded her musical interests in the past few
years, creating more songwriting opportunities in the process.
“When I first starting writing, when I was 10 years old, I was into the
country and I started writing from that style. But ever since I met Randy,
he’s taking me into the pop mainstream, with a lot of blues and jazz,
which is cool. So I’m writing a lot more in that direction and I love it.”
Bachman has also given her a number of good tips on singing, she said.
“He really has shown me to sing the story. It’s interesting that when you
look at what a song is actually about how different you sing it. I’m
putting myself into the lyrics.”
As work continues on her new CDs, Lindsay says she has become more and
more comfortable working the Bachman.
“At first I was scared out of my mind, but as I got to know him, he’s such
a genuine guy and he’s so cool. He’s like another dad to me and he’s
really down to earth. It’s not stressful at all and he makes it really
relaxing and enjoyable and exciting.
“My parents were huge fans of the Guess Who and BTO, so we all grew up
listening to them.”
Lindsay has signed to RanBach Music, Bachman’s publishing company.
She continues to take guitar and voice lessons, and performs with the
Lindsay Ell Band and as a solo artist.
“It’s been a pretty cool experience. I love songwriting so much and I
couldn’t see me stopping it anytime soon,” she said.
Randy Bachman was not immediately available for comment. However, in a
recent interview with a Calgary newspaper, he reportedly said he was
impressed with Ell’s musical maturity very early on.
“I just thought she was a rare gem,” said Bachman. “She’s not doing this
because it’s a great party out there or to become famous. She’s doing it
because she loves music and she’s talented.
“She bounces around from different soundscapes, from country to pop. She’s
taken every little hint and suggestion I’ve given her and really built on
it.”
Dan Singleton is a member of Calgary folk band Full Circle.
Thanks, Dan.
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