Meet singer/songwriter/social justice activist Lindsay White of San Diego, CA. This Bob Dylan, Ani DiFranco influenced artist has earned writing recognition from Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Kerrville Folk Festival, and American Songwriter. Her most recent album, Lights Out, debuted at #2 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter charts, was named #1 Album of the Year by Global Texan Chronicles, and earned her a San Diego Music Award for Best Singer-Songwriter. 

Lindsay started the Lady Brain Collective, a supportive and collaborative group of local women pursuing careers in the arts. More recently, she began volunteering with a local mutual aid organization concerned with food and social justice called We All We Got SD.

In Episode 23 of the Pandemic-Proof Singer Series, we talked about how songwriting, support, and social justice are related to each other. Here are the takeaways from our conversation.

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How the pandemic and quarantine have affected her

Like many artists, Lindsay has been using quarantine to do some soul searching, specifically on what’s important in life, like her relationships with people she loves and helping the community. In her opinion, quarantine has given people an opportunity to think about the systemic problems bedeviling society and has shone a glaring a light on all the cracks in the system. 

What Lindsay’s learned from other community activists

“Learning about food justice has been transformative, radicalizing and heart-breaking,” she says of her experience working with other community activists in We All We Got SD. She says she’s happy being able to take a back seat and draw lessons from her experience with the local mutual aid organization that she can apply to the Lady Brain Collective project. 

Lindsay draws parallels between the needs of deprived people and independent artists, saying that creating a support network made up of those who are affected the most means something is done to solve the problem, instead of waiting for someone from outside to come fix things for you, saying, “You have to be the one to show up for your community.” 

Balancing music, activism, community work, and personal life

Paying attention to your own needs and those of your family is also important while doing community work. It’s easy to fall into the trap of developing a tunnel vision centered on others’ need for social justice to the point that you don’t have the time to savor the important moments in your own life. 

With this in mind, Lindsay says she’s considering taking a break from Lady Brain Collective during the pandemic. As much as community work is still needed, she feels she needs to facilitate it in a way that still brings her joy, rather than just phoning it in. 

How volunteering has impacted Lindsay’s singing and songwriting

Lindsay uses songwriting as a channel for expressing her frustration at social injustices. She says, “I’ve never held myself to any kind of schedule, I just strike when the iron is hot based on whatever I’m feeling,” adding, “Sometimes it’s simply about observing the world and writing about that.” 

Lindsay views music as a tool to reach out and help people who are hurting as a way of helping them heal. She says music has been therapeutic in her own personal circumstances too. 

Your Next Step

If you know you’ve got what it takes but don’t know where to start, I’d love to help. In my vocal coaching practice, we work on both your strategy and your craft. Contact me here to work with me.

We’re living through an experience like non-other before. Don’t let it stop you. Begin by pandemic-proofing your singing career with self-reliance, resiliency, and a strong spirit. It’ll take hard work and a bit of smart innovation. Set yourself up for success. Wouldn’t it be a shame to finally get a gig only never to get called back and be left wondering why? Try my new digital course, I’m With the Band: Do’s and Dont’s from a Lead Singer. Learn the professional and social habits that lead to a long, fruitful, and well-respected singing career.

Your opportunity is coming. Be ready for it. Pandemic-proof your singing career.

For more Pandemic-Proof Singer Series, click here.

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Hi! I’m Danielle Tucker – singer, vocal coach, and lead vocalist of The Mighty Untouchables band.

Throughout my 20-year career, I’ve equally enjoyed singing country, rock, pop, gospel, and jazz. Today, I’m a professional singer/songwriter available for solo performances, studio recording, and lead vocalist of San Diego-based band The Mighty Untouchables. I also offer vocal coaching to both solo artists and groups through my own studio. I’ve crafted a rewarding vocal career, and it’s my great pleasure to bring music to others through private bookings, performing with my band, or helping others to grow more confident in their own vocal gifts. Thanks for visiting my site I’m honored that you’d like to get to know me!

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