“Music has and always will be an escape for me. Even when I’m singing or writing about the hard things, it still allows me to let go.”
“Growing up I would listen to whatever my mom had on the turntable. Music was the one ‘normal’ thing in our home and both she and I clung to the joy that listening brought us (even though I was too young to know it). Singing to each other Four Jacks and A Jill’s “I Looked Back,” dancing around the kitchen listening to Sgt. Pepper’s, or playing the most rad game of peek a boo to Tommy James and the Shondells “I Think We’re Alone Now.”
Those were the brief moments of escape from an otherwise chaotic life. I used to play, ad nauseam, my 45 of the Mickey Mouse Club theme song (with great pride I might add) on my vintage orange and white Fisher Price record player that my mom got me at a yard sale. Also in my collection, at the ripe ole age of 3 or 4, was a 45 of Peter Paul and Mary’s “Puff the Magic Dragon” and Burl Ives’ “Big Rock Candy Mountain.”
As I got older and the market moved away from vinyl, I followed suit (not that I had much of a choice) on to cassettes and CDs. The first CD I purchased was NSYNC’s “No Strings Attached.” Yes, I had a poster of the band on the ceiling above my bed because that was a thing, but also because I shared a room with my mom and my two brothers and that was my space. When I was younger I never really cared what medium I used to listen to music. As long as I could access it, all was right with the world.
I didn’t get back into vinyl until my husband purchased a turntable as a gift for my 23rd birthday. Unfortunately, my collection from when I was a kid wasn’t around anymore so I had to start from scratch. The ‘first’ record I owned was Barton Hollow by the Civil Wars. We were relatively new to the city and I found listening to vinyl was the exhale I craved at the end of the day.
Needless to say, I was hooked. When the needle hits the record with that little scratch, I’m all in. I just feel like I’ve been given access to something sacred. Some of my favorites include The Beatles, Bleachers, Brandi Carlile, Drew Holcomb, Joseph, Lucius, and Fleetwood Mac.
I will never forget when I heard my own album on vinyl for the first time. I had just received the test pressings for approval. It was incredibly surreal. I think, for the first time since I had finished the record, I connected with it again. I was dancing around my apartment and feeling every moment like I had never felt it before. It was magical.”
—Lindsey Luff
Lindsey Luff’s self titled debut release is in stores now.
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PHOTO: DUSTIN COHEN
