Blessed with a commanding, blast-it-to-the-back-of-theroom voice, the 21-year-old Lydia Loveless was raised on a family farm in Coshocton, Ohio—a small weird town with nothing to do but make music. With a dad who owned a country music bar, Loveless often woke up with a house full of touring musicians scattered on couches and floors.
When she got older, in the time-honored traditions of teenage rebellion, she turned her back on these roots, moved to the city (Columbus, OH) and immersed herself in the punk scene, soaking up the musical and attitudinal influences of everyone from Charles Bukowski to Richard Hell to Hank III.
“An old soul in a 21 year-old’s body, Lydia Loveless sings about the kind of heartache usually reserved for someone working on her third marriage.” – The Charleston Gazette
What’s the first gig you ever attended?
My first “real show” was Bob Dylan in Pittsburgh. I thought it was 2001, but someone recently corrected me and I guess it was earlier than that so I must’ve been about 10. It’s a pretty vague memory but I remember having a good time and writing lots of bad poetry afterwards.
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?
That’s tough but I guess I would say Comfest in Columbus in 2011. The crowd was huge and excited. I think it was when people really started to pay attention to me in my hometown.
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
I’ve been to see GWAR about 4 or 5 times now. I went with my little brother in 2005 and it was his first show so that was really special. I took my husband to see them at SXSW too and he’d never seen them before. I guess I think everyone should see them at least once. (Except maybe my grandma or something)
What is the gig you would most like to play?
Opening for Ke$ha and Billy Idol
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
I would get in my magical time machine for a Generation X and Richard Hell and the Voidoids show with a 1970 or so Keith Richards as my date.
Catch Lydia Loveless tonight at Smith’s Olde Bar.
