Interview: Handle With Care With Lindsey Lomis

Interview by Lindsey V. Britt / photo by Caity Krone

Nashville-raised singer-songwriter Lindsey Lomis who is best known for her songs “Simple Love”, “call me when you get home”, and “Slow Motion (feat. JoJo)” has just released her third EP Handle With Care. Lomis has also written songs such as “We Go Down Together” for Dove Cameron & Khalid, along with being featured on Jacob Collier’s new album Djesse Vol. 4.

What made you choose “Handle With Care” as the main song/EP Title?

I knew I wanted the title to be one of the song titles because in my head this EP is kind of like a part two of Universe and I did that with the Universe EP I had it as the title track, I knew I wanted to do that with this and I was going through the meaning of this EP and just the constant singular thing that goes throughout all of the songs and I was like I think this EP is about being vulnerable and honestly the realization that you deserve to be treated well, that relationships are scary and it’s intense jumping into things. But I feel like Handle With Care was like this statement that I was just like no matter what I can stand by that, no matter what I think everyone deserves to be treated with care and handled with care and it just really jumped out at me. Also, this past year of touring seeing how so many of the audiences resonated with that song made me like that song a million times more, it made it so much more special because it was a vulnerable and intense song to write so it was so cool to see how everyone felt it and related to it. 

What was the most challenging part of writing this EP?

Well, I wrote this EP most of last year, I was coming to L.A., and I had just started touring and getting into the live aspect and I kind of had this new perspective of writing because of the touring experience, I saw what a song could be and the life of a song and the step after writing it. As far as how challenging, it honestly came so naturally I don’t think any part of this EP in any way was forced, nothing felt challenging, even the topics as far as like when I am getting vulnerable or open in my music, because of the atmosphere that is created in the room with Ariza and KOLE, my collaborators, it never feels scary. If I was writing this music with random people and I was spilling my guts out, I would be a little more nervous about it maybe, but because of that safe environment didn’t really feel challenging honestly. I know that might sound weird to say but it was very smooth and natural, I feel like everything fell into place and that’s why it’s so magical creating with Ariza and KOLE because it isn’t challenging, it feels so easy every time somehow.

My friend Lauren is a huge fan of yours and she was wondering, over the years you have written so many different songs, all telling a different story. Where does the inspiration for the stories come from?

I love that, it’s so interesting to observe now that I’ve gotten older to see my past with writing when I was younger, I was just pulling from random things, I hadn't had too much life experience myself so I would draw inspiration from books, movies, and other peoples stories and at the same time I would take like this tiny little seed of a thing that happened to me and just explode it and make it way more dramatic than it actually was. Now I’m at a phase of my life where there is a lot of newness and scariness, I’m experiencing a lot of different things on such a regular basis, that a majority in a lot of my songs are so personal and all about my life and my experiences and everything I’ve been through. I think it is cool. I love writing from random perspectives too. I love taking a situation that I lived through and writing it from the other person’s perspective or whatever it may be. Especially with Universe and Handle With Care these two EPs, they’re all about me.

Is there an artist that inspired you to start songwriting?

Oh my gosh, so many artists inspire me. A big one was Tori Kelly growing up, I think she inspired me in so many different ways musically, and vocally, she plays amazing guitar, I think she inspired me just as a young girl because now looking back I’m sure around the time I discovered her she was around my age now, which is crazy to think about, she taught me so much just from me observing and listening. I think what was so cool was hearing that she did most things herself when she started out, all of her early songs were written by her, and produced by her, so I think that showed me that I can tell my own stories and do it however I want to do it. And I think a lot of her messages were important to hear at a young age, she spoke so much on not letting fame get to you and so many humble, wise, knowledgeable perspectives that I was eager to hear and at the same time my parents were relieved I was looking up to an artist singing that kind of stuff.

Recently you moved to Los Angeles from Nashville, how has it been moving from one major music city to another? 

I love Nashville so much and it was hard to leave because it is such an incredible city. I had the privilege of growing up there and had been there my entire twenty years of life before this, I think it is an incredible music city and to have been raised in that music scene because it is so songwriting focus and musicianship-focused, I learn so much from that and I saw so much incredible live music, rather it was big shows or these tiny little acoustic sets at random cafes. I pulled from all of that, and I also had so many opportunities to play live. Now I’ve switched over to an entirely different type of music scene, that has a lot of crossovers honestly in the people who are working here. I was visiting L.A. to work for years before I moved, I feel like there are a lot of people who do that. It is super different in a good way; I’m excited to be out of my comfort zone a little bit to be doing something new. I think L.A. is the most comfortable move from Nashville because it is also such a huge music scene. L.A. has been great for me as far as sessions go and writing, I feel like there are so many producers and writers here that I admire so much, it’s been fun to test the waters here and try something new. I love both, though I have to love Nashville more because it’s the city that raised me, but I’m so happy to be living in L.A. right now.

Did the move have any impact on the EP or how you pursue your songwriting and career now?

Totally, I wrote this EP prior to moving, I wrote all the songs just on trips out here, so I did write them in L.A., but I wasn’t living here yet. I think being here full-time is so incredibly convenient. I was flying out here to work with people all the time because KOLE and Ariza are my favorite people to work with and they are both based out of here, now I have them and a sea of more people who are just incredibly amazing and talented. So, I feel like I’m just starting to really insert myself into that scene. Even just as far as the switch that a move has on my career it’s the same thing as in my personal life, it’s a crazy thing to just pick up your life and move, so I’m learning so much from that and all of that gets into my creativity. 

How would you describe this era of your music?

I feel like these past two EPs, I’ve really honed in my sound, and almost unintentionally too. In this era of music of mine I’m starting to kind of create with no boundaries. I’m going to sessions with less walls up. Obviously, I know what I like and I know what I don’t like; I think it’s so incredible to push those boundaries as often as you can and just find out more little facets of yourself in the creative process. That’s been this phase of music, just very experimental and free in my creativity.

Recently you started releasing music as an independent artist, what has that experience been like?

It’s been awesome, I feel so free and excited, I think no matter what in life when you have a new phase to get into and explore it’s really exciting. I haven’t been independent since I was sixteen years old, it feels like this new fresh start in a sense. I’m so honored to be working with the team that I do have, they’re incredible people, and I just feel very motivated.

You also recently released a song with Jacob Collier called “Cinnamon Crush”, what about that collaboration did you enjoy the most?

I enjoyed every second of that experience! I’m first and foremost such a fan of Jacob and it’s the biggest honor of my life to have a song with him and to be on his incredible album. This album is so iconic, and I just truly don’t believe it, even now that the song is out, I’m like there’s no way, you’re lying to me. The creative process was so fun for this one too, I mean I was so nervous going into it because in my head Jacob Collier is this insane musician who knows everything about everything, and like there’s no way I can live up to that, I was like we’ll be speaking different languages, we won’t even be able to converse, he’s going to be like so quick, that’s just not my way of doing it, and I got there and we just hung out for a while, he was so nice and so calm, creating with him was so natural and easy, he makes you feel so comfortable. I feel like so many people put him on this planet, like oh, Jacob Collier he’s a genius, he’s not from this world, but he's really just a person who is so interested in discovering more about his passion and so many different things, he just really dives into everything that he does, and so I think him having that wonder and excitement around music has been such an inspiration for me, to reinstill that in me because sometimes it’s easy to forget that part of it, about how this is just a hobby and a passion and it’s so fun, that’s what working with Jacob felt like, it was just so fun, he just loves to do it and I think that’s just so important to be around.

You toured last year with Joshua Bassett, and Bruno Major, you even had your own solo tour, and just played at the Hotel Cafe, are you planning on touring again this year?

I’m touring for the next entire year with Jacob and his band. That starts in April to June, Europe/UK is November and December, so I’m doing a lot of touring this year, obviously, it’s a very different way of touring, I’ve only ever toured for my own artist projects and music, this time I’ll be in Jacob’s band backing him up with this incredible team of musicians that I cannot even believe I get to be In the same room with. I’m really excited for this new chapter, it’s going to be such a learning experience, and I’m just going to soak up every second of it, it’s going to be lot bigger rooms than I’m used to, we’re going on a bus tour and everything. Even though I do have experience touring it feels like every time there’s a new element to it that I get to learn, it’s going to be really, really fun.

Speaking of concerts, what was a memorable concert you attended?

I went to concerts all the time growing up because my parents, although they aren’t in music they do really appreciate it, so they took me to concerts all the time and I lived in Nashville so you can’t go anywhere without stumbling upon a concert. But the first one I remember going to without my parents was with my babysitter who was like my best friend was a Colbie Caillat show back in the day, that was a big one for me, I remember being really excited and the youngest one in the crowd by far, it was at a bar and I was like what is this?

You have an incredible taste in fashion. How did you become so stylish with all your looks?

Thank you so much, I honestly really got into fashion during Covid, because I think so much of my brain growing up in fashion was how can I just fit in, how can I not be too overdressed, not be too underdressed, just look like everybody. I remember when I was super young going to school and like all my friends would text in a group chat and be like “Are we wearing Nike shorts today or leggings?” and everyone would wear the same thing. I’m so glad I escaped that mentality, especially in life in general, I think that’s a horrible way of living but also in fashion. I kind of like found my own identity with it and it happened during Covid because I wasn’t seeing anybody, I could dress however I wanted, I can try anything, it can be so weird and so ugly, and it didn’t even matter cause no one is going to see it. So I started doing that a little bit, and then when I kind of discovered thrifting I got really excited cause I could sift through tons of things and pick out my favorites and it’ll be $0.50 and if I didn’t like it I’d just donate it back, it’s not that big of a sacrifice, so I started trying stuff like that and that’s what kind of got me into fashion and I pull inspiration from so many different people, not even just music artist but fashion creators on social media. I love watching fashion videos, I love all of that so I’m so happy that you mentioned that because I used to not have a fashion sense whatsoever. And creating looks for tours, it’s been so fun. I usually have an album on my phone with pictures before I leave for the tour of every single outfit so that night I can be like this is what I’m wearing in Houston or New York. I also love the way fashion makes me feel, If I’m wearing a solid outfit that I love and makes me feel cool and awesome, it changes my entire day, especially on stage for tour, you can’t perform like that if you don’t have some sort of confidence, and for me, fashion does that a lot of the time. 

My favorite question to ask I save for last. Do you have anything you’d like to recommend? It can be anything, Song, restaurant, product, literally anything.

I love this, let’s see. I was talking about this the other day; I’m going to recommend the “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend” podcast. I love it, they post cut-downs of it on YouTube and it’s all I watch when I’m getting ready is Conan O’Brien talking to some celebrity about anything, I just love it. I also love The Colin and Samir Show” I was actually just watching Jacob’s episode with them. When I’m getting ready I can’t sit with myself in silence I need something in the background so I love watching stuff like that.

Don’t forget to check out Lomis’s new EP Handle With Care out now, and catch Lomis on Jacob Collier’s Djesse World Tour this year.

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