Jon Lindsay (musician)
{{short description|American recording artist}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Jon Lindsay
| image = Jon Lindsay 1.jpg
| caption = Lindsay in 2009
| birth_name = Jonathan Lindsay Phillips
| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|29|2010|08|25}}
| origin = Portland, Oregon, United States
| genre = Pop, rock, alternative, powerpop, indie, experimental, protest music
| occupation = singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, music director
| instrument = vocals, piano, organ, synthesizer, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, percussion, drums
| years_active = 2007—present
| label = File 13, Bear Hearts Fox, Chocolate Lab, No More Fake Labels, North Star Media (Publisher), Heron Bay, Redeye Distribution, Love Army Records
| website = {{URL|jonlindsaymusic.com}}
}}
Jonathan Lindsay Phillips is an American recording artist. Lindsay made his full-length debut in 2010 with the LP Escape From Plaza-Midwood. In 2013, he cofounded the arts collective North Carolina Music Love Army with Caitlin Cary.
Early life
Lindsay is from Portland, Oregon. He moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in the early 1990s. His father is an Episcopalian minister and transferred to a church in Charlotte.{{cite web |last=Devores |first=Courtney |date=October 1, 2010 |title=Jon Lindsay Charlotte Observer Sunday Arts Feature |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/latest-news/article9041570.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131055108/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/latest-news/article9041570.html |archive-date=January 31, 2016 |accessdate=January 17, 2012 |publisher=The Charlotte Observer}} Lindsay attended West Charlotte High School. He then studied English at Queens University of Charlotte, and received an MFA in fiction writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Music career
His music has been used in Haven and MTV Cribs, Employee of the Month, and various commercials.{{Cite news |date=August 7, 2015 |title=Charlotte songwriter 'obsessed' with teen death case |work=The Charlotte Observer |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article30409689.html |url-status=dead |access-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012712/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article30409689.html |archive-date=September 24, 2015}}
Lindsay began his career playing and singing in Benji Hughes, as well as fronting his own rock bands The Catch Fire and The Young Sons.{{Cite web|url=https://bigtakeover.com/news/video-premiere-little-queen-drum-machine-by-jon-lindsay|title=Video premiere: "Little Queen Drum Machine" by Jon Lindsay|website=The Big Takeover}} Lindsay produced the debut album "Hearts Inc" for The Young Sons in 2007; the group disbanded in 2008.{{cite web |last=Hahne |first=Jeff |url=http://charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/young_sons_songs_see_light_of_day_despite_group_s_breakup/Content?oid=582682 |title=Creative Loafing: Young Sons Songs See Light of Day |publisher=Charlotte.creativeloafing.com |date=March 3, 2009 |accessdate=January 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708202231/http://charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/young_sons_songs_see_light_of_day_despite_group_s_breakup/Content?oid=582682 |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=dead }}
= ''Escape From Plaza-Midwood'' =
Lindsay signed to Chicago-based label Chocolate Lab Records in May 2010.{{cite web |last=Hahne |first=Jeff |date=May 17, 2010 |title=Creative Loafing: Jon Lindsay Signs to Chocolate Lab Records (May 2010) |url=http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/vibes/2010/05/17/jon-lindsay-signs-to-chocolate-lab-records/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410172807/http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/vibes/2010/05/17/jon-lindsay-signs-to-chocolate-lab-records/ |archive-date=April 10, 2013 |access-date=January 17, 2012 |publisher=Blogs.creativeloafing.com}} He made his solo debut with the release of his 15-song LP record Escape From Plaza-Midwood on August 17, 2010.{{Cite web |date=2010-08-05 |title=MP3 At 3PM: Jon Lindsay |url=https://magnetmagazine.com/2010/08/05/mp3-at-3pm-jon-lindsay/ |access-date=2022-09-05 |website=Magnet Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Oeur |first=Freeden |date=2011-05-18 |title=Technicolor Revelations: A Conversation with Jon Lindsay, PopMatters |url=https://www.popmatters.com/138050-technicolor-revelations-a-conversation-with-jon-lindsay-2496067950.html |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=PopMatters |language=en-US}} The title is a reference to the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood where Lindsay lived and a failed suburb by University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he grew up.{{cite magazine |last=Parker |first=Chris |date=July 9, 2010 |title=Jon Lindsay's Escape From Plaza-Midwood |url=http://issuu.com/shuffle/docs/shuffle8/ |magazine=Shuffle Magazine |publisher= |issue=8 |page=7 |access-date=January 17, 2012}}{{cite web |title=Blurt review of Escape From Plaza-Midwood |url=http://blurt-online.com/reviews/view/2540/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006122538/http://blurt-online.com/reviews/view/2540/ |archive-date=October 6, 2011 |access-date=January 17, 2012 |website=Blurt-online.com}} Concurrent with the album release was the 7-inch EP Coping Strategies, which features four songs from Escape From Plaza-Midwood.{{Cite web|url=https://magnetmagazine.com/2010/08/05/mp3-at-3pm-jon-lindsay/|title=MP3 At 3PM: Jon Lindsay|website=Magnetmagazine.com|date=August 5, 2010}}
Shawn Haney for Performer wrote, "One of the best records to come out of the Southeast over the course of the decade, it’s full of life, bleeding with happiness and melancholy at the same time."{{Cite web |last=Haney |first=Shawn |date=December 1, 2010 |title=Record Review: Jon Lindsay {{!}} Performer Mag |url=https://performermag.com/new-music-and-video/reviews/record-review-jon-lindsay/ |access-date=2022-09-05 |website=Performer |language=en-US}} Spencer Griffith for Indy Week wrote that the album is "a sprawling opus of pop rock splendor."{{Cite web |last=Griffith |first=Spencer |date=2010-08-25 |title=Jon Lindsay's Escape From Plaza-Midwood |url=https://indyweek.com/api/content/03306794-0658-577d-8994-1fb829fd2fd2/ |access-date=2022-09-05 |website=Indyweek.com |language=en-us }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Freeden Oeur of PopMatters gave the album an 8.{{Cite web |last=Oeur |first=Freeden |date=2011-02-17 |title=Jon Lindsay: Escape From Plaza-Midwood, PopMatters |url=https://www.popmatters.com/136550-jon-lindsay-escape-from-plaza-midwood-2496083125.html |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=PopMatters.com |language=en-US}}
Justin Gerber for Consequence Of Sound wrote, "The opening track is terrific. Lindsay released an EP in 2009, but “End Times” plays as an honest-to-goodness introduction. Nostalgic without being sticky-sweet or reaching “sad bastard” status, Lindsay connects with his audience very well. “My Blue Angels” is power-pop at its finest, with driving percussion anchoring the catchy chorus."{{Cite web |date=2010-10-11 |title=Album Review: Jon Lindsay. Escape from Plaza-Midwood |url=https://consequence.net/2010/10/album-review-jon-lindsay-escape-from-plaza-midwood/ |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=Consequence.net |language=en-US}}
= Other works =
Following Escape, Lindsay toured the US for most of 2011, both solo and with his backing band. He also signed a music publishing deal with North Star Media, performed at several festivals, and began preparations for his next releases: the EP Could It Be Christmas?, which has a loose holiday theme (November 29, 2011); Rumormill, the debut LP of Lindsay's side project The Catch Fire (No More Fake Labels, December 6, 2011).{{cite web|last=Parker |first=Chris |url=https://charlestoncitypaper.com/jon-lindsay-rides-a-classic-pop-winning-streak/ |title=Jon Lindsay live at Tin Roof show preview (staff pick) and new album feature story |publisher=Charleston City Paper |date=November 23, 2011 |access-date=January 17, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Hahne |first=Jeff |url=http://clclt.com/charlotte/cd-review-the-catch-fires-rumormill/Content?oid=2569707 |title=Creative Loafing Rumormill Review |website=Clclt.com |date=January 3, 2012 |access-date=January 17, 2012}}{{Cite web|url=https://charlotteviewpoint.org/article/2672/Charlottes-Best-Albums-of-2011|title=Charlotte’s Best Albums of 2011|website=Charlotteviewpoint.org}}{{cite web |url=http://www.shufflemag.com/now-hear-this-bombadil-bitch-magnet-and-more/ |title=Rumormill by The Catch Fire: Editor's Pick, Shuffle Magazine |website=Shufflemag.com |date=January 13, 2012 |access-date=January 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109033047/http://www.shufflemag.com/now-hear-this-bombadil-bitch-magnet-and-more/ |archive-date=January 9, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last=Devores |first=Courtney |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/12/27/2872482/2011s-best-music-from-charlotte.html |title=Rumormill by The Catch Fire: Best of 2011, The Charlotte Observer |website=Charlotteobserver.com |date=December 27, 2011 |access-date=January 17, 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ninertimes.com/q-a-with-jon-lindsay-summer-wilderness-program/article_86133565-ec1d-515f-b328-6e1e997232a1.html|title=Q&A with Jon Lindsay: 'Summer Wilderness Program'|first=Barry Falls|last=Jr|date=June 29, 2012|website=Ninertimes.com}}
Lindsay's LP Summer Wilderness Program was released on June 26, 2012. The music video for the album's third single “Oceans More” used 3-D information captured through the Microsoft Kinect.{{Cite web |last=Dubovoy |first=Emily |date=October 12, 2012 |title=A New Video Using The RBG+D Kinect Hack To Distort Actual Footage Into Geometric Animations |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-new-video-using-the-rbgd-kinect-hack-to-distort-actual-footage-into-geometric-animations/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Vice |language=en}}
Lindsay performed a Daytrotter Session on January 27, 2012,{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/noisetrade/music/jon-lindsay/jan-27-2012-daytrotter-studio-rock-island-il|title=Paste Music: Guides to the Best Albums, Reviews and Live Music Video|website=Pastemagazine.com}} and a second Daytrotter Session on November 15, 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/noisetrade/music/jon-lindsay/nov-15-2013-daytrotter-studio-rock-island-il|title=Paste Music: Guides to the Best Albums, Reviews and Live Music Video|website=Pastemagazine.com}}
On October 26, 2015, The Indy Weekly premiered "All Them Houses", the first single from Lindsay's Cities & Schools LP.{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=David |date=2015-10-26 |title=Hear "All Them Houses," a new track from Jon Lindsay |url=https://indyweek.com/api/content/bb28dff3-98d8-591f-9f2c-b1a3395ad35d/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Indyweek.com|language=en-us }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The track was released digitally on November 6, 2015. On November 24, 2015, Paste Magazine premiered "Lifer", the second single from the Cities LP.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/11/jon-lindsay.html |title=Song Premiere: Jon Lindsay's "Lifer" :: Music :: Audio :: Paste |access-date=2015-11-25 |archive-date=2015-11-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125165914/http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/11/jon-lindsay.html |url-status=dead }} The Cities & Schools LP was released on June 10, 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://indyweek.com/music/record-review-jon-lindsay-s-cities-schools-puts-pop-beneath-polish/|title=Record Review: Jon Lindsay's Cities & Schools Puts Pop Beneath the Polish|first=David|last=Klein|date=June 8, 2016|website=Indyweek.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://ghettoblastermagazine.com/features/jon-lindsay-readies-cities-schools-for-file-13-records/|title=Jon Lindsay readies Cities & Schools for File 13 Records|first=Timothy|last=Anderl|website=Ghettoblastmagazine.com|date=June 8, 2016}} The record received the support of both full-band and solo US and European tour dates.{{Cite web|url=https://clclt.com/vibes/archives/2016/08/24/jon-lindsays-nc-music-love-army-battles-bigotry-with-new-cd|title=Jon Lindsay's NC Music Love Army Battles Bigotry with New CD|first=Pat|last=Moran|website=Clclt.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://blog.reverbnation.com/2016/07/18/on-tour-jon-lindsay/ |title=On Tour: Jon Lindsay | ReverbNation Blog |access-date=2022-09-06 |archive-date=2022-09-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906003748/https://blog.reverbnation.com/2016/07/18/on-tour-jon-lindsay/ |url-status=dead }} Big Takeover premiered the video for "Little Queen Drum Machine" on June 26, 2016.
On December 22, 2017, File 13 released "Zebulon", a single from Lindsay which features a horn arrangement written and performed by Matt Douglas of The Mountain Goats. The song's narrative is delivered from the point-of-view of a racist southern farmer. Lindsay described the song as "psychedelic gospel pop".{{Cite web|url=https://clclt.com/vibes/archives/2017/12/22/premiere-jon-lindsay-confronts-racism-and-homophobia-in-zebulon|title=PREMIERE: Jon Lindsay Confronts Racism and Homophobia in "Zebulon"|first=Mark|last=Kemp|website=Clclt.com}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.charlottemagazine.com/Charlotte-Magazine/February-2018/4-Charlotte-Songs-We-Cant-Stop-Playing-January-2018 |title=4 Charlotte Songs We Can't Stop Playing: January 2018 - Charlotte Magazine - February 2018 - Charlotte, NC |access-date=2018-08-11 |archive-date=2018-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811230913/http://www.charlottemagazine.com/Charlotte-Magazine/February-2018/4-Charlotte-Songs-We-Cant-Stop-Playing-January-2018/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|date=2017-12-19|title=SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: JON LINDSAY - "ZEBULON"|url=https://spillmagazine.com/spill-music-premiere-jon-lindsay-zebulon/|access-date=2020-11-09|website=Spillmagazine.com|language=en-US}}
In 2024, Lindsay and Benji Hughes toured as a duo, with Lindsay opening for, then accompanying Hughes. In related interviews, Lindsay shared details about his forthcoming fourth full-length album, "Big Stage", recorded in Hollywood at Barefoot Studios, set for release in 2025.[https://portcitydaily.com/arts-and-culture/2024/09/25/jon-lindsay-talks-new-lp-performing-again-with-benji-hughes/] Port City Daily Jon Lindsay Interview[https://www.savannahnow.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/03/06/high-school-friends-musicians-jon-lindsay-benji-hughes-reunite-for-savannah-concert/72841845007/] Savannah Morning News Jon Lindsay feature
Political activism
Lindsay is known for his political work, having released various songs in response to different political and social events.{{Cite web |last=Workmon |first=Bob |date=July 26, 2016 |title=Musicians take the fight to HB2 |url=https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/entertainment/local/2016/07/26/nc-musicians-take-fight-to-hb2/27425750007/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Wilmington Star-News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=http://indyweek.com/music/archives-music/watch-new-nc-music-love-army-video-jon-lindsay-dear-mr-mccrory/|title=Watch a new NC Music Love Army video from Jon Lindsay, "Dear Mr. McCrory"|first=Allison|last=Hussey|date=July 28, 2015|website=Indyweek.com}}
Lindsay and Caitlin Cary of Whiskeytown co-founded the North Carolina Music Love Army, a non-profit music collective, in late June 2013 in support of the Moral Mondays protests.{{Cite web |date=2013-07-24 |title=Local Spotlight: The North Carolina Music Love Army |url=https://wknc.org/2013/07/24/local-spotlight-the-north-carolina-music-love/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Wknc.org|language=en-US}}[https://indyweek.com/api/content/1704a592-928f-5815-abd9-4929f1de7610/]
{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Caitlin Cary reached out to Lindsay to form the group after watching the video for his song "NC GOP Just Don't Know Me" on YouTube. Lindsay was inspired to create the song after viewing Django Haskins's song "We Are Not for Sale".{{Cite web |date=2013-11-22 |title=NC Music Love Army releases Moral Monday benefit album |url=https://www.facingsouth.org/2013/11/nc-music-love-army-releases-moral-monday-benefit-a.html |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Facingsouth.org |language=en}} The group recruited 40 members by July.{{Cite web |date=2013-07-12 |title=Love Army Fights NC General Assembly With Music |url=https://www.wunc.org/arts-culture/2013-07-12/love-army-fights-nc-general-assembly-with-music |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Wunc.org |language=en}} They released the 10-track vinyl "We Are Not for Sale: Songs of Protest" on November 26, 2013, with proceeds being donated to progressive groups in North Carolina. Lindsay produced the album; Forbes wrote, "Phillips – then 5 releases into a solo career with momentum, publishing deals, recognition from Ad Age for TV commercial composition, and Vice's “Best of 2012” – decided in 2013 to devote the next 4 years to political music, taking the helm directing public relations for the NC Music Love Army- the 50+ member 501c3 he co-founded with Caitlin Cary (of Whiskeytown), in addition to serving as the group’s co-founder and music producer. The group included musical luminaries like Rhiannon Giddens, American Aquarium, Hiss Golden Messenger, The Love Language, Chris Stamey, Pierce Freelon, and members of the Mountain Goats and Black Crowes."[https://www.forbes.com/sites/zengernews/2023/07/03/jon-lindsay-phillips-pioneers-novel-public-relations-agency-phillcomm/] Jon Lindsay Forbes feature profile. {{Cite web |last=Bellamy |first=Cliff |date=July 4, 2013 |title=Songs of protest |url=http://www.heraldsun.com/lifestyles/entertainment/x177808435/Songs-of-protest |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712141300/http://www.heraldsun.com/lifestyles/entertainment/x177808435/Songs-of-protest |archive-date=July 12, 2013 |access-date=July 25, 2013 |website=The Herald Sun}} The NC Music Love Army also released a song in response to the death of Lennon Lacy.
Lindsay was part of a group of 24 artists who performed in protest of the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act.{{Cite web |last=Moran |first=Pat |title=Jon Lindsay's NC Music Love Army Battles Bigotry with New CD |url=https://clclt.com/vibes/archives/2016/08/24/jon-lindsays-nc-music-love-army-battles-bigotry-with-new-cd |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Clclt.com |language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/encorepub/docs/july27_issuu|title=July 27, 2016 by Wilmington Media - Issuu|date=July 27, 2016|website=Issuu.com}} In December 2016, Lindsay organized and performed at "Hate Free By The Sea" in Wilmington, NC, a benefit concert in support of a UNCW student who received threats after being bullied by a faculty member because of her race, religion, and sexual orientation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/entertainment/local/2016/12/14/controversial-case-of-former-uncw-student-nada-merghani-professor-mike-adams-sparks-concert/24259719007/|title=Rockin' for a cause|author=John Staton|website=Wilmington Star-News}}
Discography
- Magic Winter & the Dirty South EP (released in 2009; re-issued February 2011 on Chocolate Lab Records)
- Escape From Plaza-Midwood LP (August 17, 2010, Chocolate Lab Records)
- Coping Strategies 7-inch EP (August 17, 2010, Chocolate Lab Records)
- Could It Be Christmas? EP (November 29, 2011, Bear Hearts Fox)
- Summer Wilderness Program LP (June 26, 2012, Bear Hearts Fox)
- Cities & Schools LP (June 10, 2016, File 13 Records)
- Happy Old Pictures EP (2016) — with NC Music Love Army
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://wknc.org/2016/08/25/nc-music-love-army/ Interview with] WKNC-FM
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lindsay, Jon}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:American male singer-songwriters
Category:American multi-instrumentalists
Category:American male pop singers
Category:Record producers from Oregon
Category:American indie rock musicians
Category:Singer-songwriters from Oregon
Category:Singer-songwriters from North Carolina
Category:Musicians from Portland, Oregon
Category:Queens University of Charlotte alumni