Atlanta’s Lindsay Rakers Band makes folk rock music with the rough edges of alt country, the yearning soul of blues, and the wandering spirit of Americana. She is no stranger to the music scene, and is still one of the coolest chicks in town. She joined us for our 5GB series before her show tonight at Vinyl.
What’s the first gig you ever attended?
The first gig I remember going to was John Prine, when I was a little kid, throwing a Frisbee to my big sister and wearing green corduroy pants with an elastic waistband. I loved the song Dear Abbey (“You have no complaint; you are what you are and you ain’t what you ain’t!”). I just saw John Prine in Atlanta at the Fox last year with my sister and my friend and I snuck up to where she and her husband had some swank seats. We swayed back and forth and sang the words to all the songs.
The first gig I *chose* to go to was Billy Bragg at the Metropol in Pittsburgh, with my dad and my sister. How’s that for obscure? Effin love that guy. I remember I got so into singing “Great Leap Forward” that I was like yelling the lyrics with abandon, and then I hit a sour note and I got all shy and embarrassed and self-conscious like middle schoolers are prone to do, looking around to see if anyone caught me. Little did I know some people make a proud life’s work out of singing loud and off-key at live shows.
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?
I have a tie for first place. One was playing Mr. Smalls, a beautiful, cavernous converted cathedral venue in Pittsburgh, to an audience of family, family friends, high school and college friends. It was our fourth gig in 3 days, starting with New York City, we were totally exhausted, and I was completely on top of the world. My voice died, I mean cut out like there was nothing left, on the last note of the last song.
Two was opening solo for Colin Hay (Men at Work) at the Variety Playhouse. The crowd was so big that it had that glorious constant roar sound of hundreds of conversations. Before I walked out, when they turned the house music down and dimmed the lights, everyone went totally silent… then they burst into deafening applause when I came into view. People in the front rows yelled out nice things between every song. (My favorite was: “You’re a lot prettier than Colin Hay!”) A beautifully kind and receptive audience. And possibly a bit drunk. High fives to all of you!
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
Oh my god, this is like the “what is your favorite book/song/band question…” I can’t just say one thing because it’s comparing apples and oranges. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes at Variety. Kathleen Edwards at Eddie’s Attic. Annie Difranco at Penn State. Phish at the Gorge. Sound Tribe Sector 9 at Spirit of the Suwannee, Florida. Grace Potter in my backyard by the fire. Moonshine Still at the Brandyhouse. Ha!!!
What is the gig you would most like to play?
Having been to the Gorge, I don’t know if I could imagine a more perfect venue.
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
Hell, since we’re dreaming, how ‘bout the Beatles, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, Eliza Gilkyson, Avett Brothers, My Morning Jacket, and Adele.
Catch Lindsay Rakers Band at Vinyl, Saturday July 14th
