Songwriters Monthly Presents:

Photo: Justine Ungaro, Makeup: Jennifer Shelton

L I N D S A RUSH Y

Stepping Back To Stand Out

Originally, Lindsay Rush wanted to be an artist. I wanted to be a Pop star, not unlike a lot of young girls. I began writing music when I was 7, and at 13, I started going into the studio, experimenting with my sound and what my brand would look like would I have dancers, would I play the guitar, would I front a band? Sounds like the typical beginnings of just about every music hopeful, doesnt it? Dont think for a single moment you have any clue of where this interview is headed. Lindsay Rush is anything but typical. But wait, lets add a little more story before she throws the curve. At 16, I started playing the guitar and everything changed. I had this new freedom to make music whenever and wherever I wanted. That eventually led to playing live gigs. In 2008, I landed the opportunity to open for Pat Benatar on four consecutive national tours. After that lifechanging, INCREDIBLE experience of playing for hundreds of thousands of people, gaining independence, and seeing basically every inch of the U.S., I decided that I loved to play live . . . So, just to reiterate and let it really sink in, weve got an exceptionally talented young girl who snags a coveted spot as the opener for FOUR national tours! She is living the dream. However, its what happens next that is the pivotal point in Rushs career, the aspect that defines not only her integrity, but her own knowledge of who she really is. I decided that I loved to play live . . . but I didnt NEED it in order to live like I do Songwriting and the BUSINESS of music. Those two things are more important to me than water or air. Performing will always be there if its a special event that means something to me

Lindsay Rush

Lindsay at a middle school in Maryland on behalf of Bully Prevention.

[Lindsay does a lot of Bully Prevention Awareness shows and appearances]. And, I still get to be in the studio all the time because I often record the demo vocals on songs that Im writing for other artists. I do miss the touring, sometimes, but when youre on the road for that long, your crew and fellow artists become like family and family is family, forever. At some point in life, nearly every girl or boy dreams about being a star. I promise you, the strength of character needed to be able to walk away from such a situation as it is in the process of unfolding is not easy. Lindsay had experienced the onstage rush the thing that turns performers into addicts. For her to be able to make the choice to step off the stage and go behind the curtain to let others shine because of her hard work is what I find so utterly intriguing about Lindsay Rush. For me, stepping back makes her stand out. Currently, Lindsay is working with some of the biggest names in the music business and shes starting her own company [Pop in a Snap!]. When I asked if shed have time to answer a few questions, I was half

With my second mama, Pat Benatar out . . .

expecting no response at all. To the contrary, Lindsay replied promptly and we worked out the details of the Q&A. Within days, I was sitting here looking at some of the most fascinating answers I had seen in my many, many years of doing this the girl knows how to tell a story! Check it

Songwriters Monthly: How did you meet Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo? How did the relationship grow, did you just hit it off? Lindsay Rush: I had been wanting to play at the House of Blues in Atlantic City (Im from Philly, originally) very badly. So, I emailed the venue . . . and emailed the venue . . . and emailed the venue, and eventually got an opening slot on Pat Benatars show there. A combo of creativity, perseverance, and very-well aligned stars, led to the tour manager offering me the opening spot on that entire summer tour . . . and a bunk on the tour bus (which was my life-long dream). It worked out great for everyone, and three more tours followed. My relationship with Pat and Neil grew quickly. Theyre like a second set of parents to me. Neil (whom we call Spyder) and I hit it off pretty-much right away. At first with Pat, I was super shy and just focused on trying not to be in anyones way. But one night at the hotel in Little Rock, the whole tour group had dinner together, and Pat and I started talking. They have a daughter who is a year older than me, so we took to each other in that sort of way initially talking about

things that her daughter, Haley, and I both loved during our childhoods (like cheesy little-known straight-to-video movies), and ultimately, talking about EVERYTHING! Pat is the worlds best advice-giver. We have a joke that her catchphrase with me is, Heres why, because she always has the answers and she always makes a point to explain it full-out to truly educate me on the subject, instead of just giving me the fish. A funny side note is that they nicknamed me Avatar (way before the movie came out) because early on, we started working on projects together, and I always wore lots of different hats, so they decided that I was more like some kind of machine than a person. They havent actually called me Lindsay in about five years, its always, Hey Avatar! I love them very, very much. SM: Desmond Child? Desmond Child!!! LR: YES. :-) My mentor, my friend, and the writer of songs like Livin on a Prayer, You Give Love a Bad Name, and Waking Up in Vegas. He only knows how to write hits. Its amazing. SM: How do you write with such insight and depth? Do you write from personal experience or can you role-play when you write? LR: Im a peoplewatcher and a journal-keeper. So, both. Sometimes separately, but My mentor, Desmond Child.

usually both at once. To make a song universally-appealing, it needs to be personal enough to be honest, but broad enough to be relatable. SM: What is your dream collaboration? LR: Thats really hard. First of all, I have to say that Im blessed to have already collaborated with several of my goal co-writers Michelle Branch [Everywhere, All You Wanted, The Game of Love, etc.] and Desmond Child are highlights for me so far. But definitely Hillary Lindsey [Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, Lady Antebellum, Faith Hill, etc.], as far as songwriting goes. Ben Franklin would be my dream business collaborator. I probably have a better shot at the first one. :-) Id also really like to write books with Wayne Dyer and young adult novelist, Lisi Harrison. SM: How many different branches of the music industry are you involved in (writing, performing, publishing, managing, producing, etc.)? Which would be THE one thing youd do if you could only do one thing? LR: Im involved in all that you mentioned, but A&R and Artist Development shouldnt be left out. Theyre both super important parts of the Music Industry and true loves of mine. Songwriting, Artist Development, and A&R are my air, water, and food. How could I pick just one? Id die. SM: What drove you to start Pop in a Snap!? LR: There are so many songs and so many writers that I come across and immediately connect with. The songs themselves are what drove me to start Pop in a Snap! The company is about pitching songs for projects (artists, film, TV) and basically playing match-maker. I do only single-song, non-exclusive deals, which allow the writers and songs the freedom to take advantage of any and every opportunity to get

placements and cuts not just the ones that come by way of my own personal butt-kicking. As a songwriter myself, I know its appreciated. Our songs are our babies AND our livelihoods. Its imperative that they find good homes. SM: Where does your confidence come from? LR: I only pursue what my gut tells me is right. Im also a very spiritual person and I believe that NOTHING can ever be wrong because even if the outcome isnt ideal or even pleasant, its part of my journey and it has a purpose. So, if nothing is ever wrong, then your only job is to find the purpose for the things that occur on your path, and make good use of them. How else will we do better next time? Nothing is a waste, nothing is a mistake, and nothing is an accident.

Im most at home when Im surrounded with people or in an environment that makes me feel the most like myself.

Photo: Justine Ungaro, Makeup: Jennifer Shelton

SM: A day has been named after you, how does something like that affect you? LR: Its pretty cool. Its an honor, really. The City of Gaithersburg, MD will always have a special place in my heart, and so will October 5th! SM: Are you ever not working? Do you ever allow yourself downtime? If so, what do you do when you are not doing something related to music? LR: I do ALLOW myself some downtime, but my brain doesnt necessarily always get the memo. I do Yoga. Still havent gotten the hang of that whole shutting the mind off, focusing on your breathing thing though. Oh well.

I only pursue what my gut tells me is right.

Photo: Justine Ungaro, Makeup: Jennifer Shelton

SM: Where do you feel the most at home? Why? LR: Its not as much where, as it is with whom. Im most at home when Im surrounded with people or in an environment that makes me feel the most like myself. SM: Many times, when artists tweak their image, they are visually signaling a new phase in their career. What did the blonde photos signify for you?

Do blondes have more fun?

LR: Blondes have more fun, supposedly. I wanted to find out for myself. Ive never been one for taking someones word. SM: Do Blondes have more fun? LR: Blondes apparently go to Trapeze School, so I guess, yeah, sure. SM: What is the most important thing in your life right now? LR: Happiness. To be so comfortably happy that I am able to effortlessly bring that with me into every room I enter. Its an ongoing project, but regardless of my values at any given time in my life, the point is to be happy. SM: Are you gearing up for something? Your Facebook page has gone crazy busy! LR: Of course!

Photo: Barrie Blau

SM: I guess youre going tight-lipped on whats coming up? No hints? Lindsay remained quiet on the details of her current project. She did, however, post the following: This project I'm working on right now . . . Summing it up by using the word passion doesn't work for me - it's more like FIRE! Talk about a teaser! I guess well all just have to wait to see whats got this girl on fire! Meanwhile, if youre even half as impressed with Lindsay Rush as I am, youll like, friend, and follow her on every site you can find. Heres a couple to get you started . . .

https://twitter.com/LindsayRush www.facebook.com/lindsayrush

Photo: Justine Ungaro, Makeup: Jennifer Shelton