INTERVIEW: Lindsay Schoolcraft from Cradle Of Filth

Lindsay Schoolcraft is a Canadian national, and the operatic vocalist and keyboard player in Cradle Of Filth. She has curated a loyal following courtesy of her solo material which can be found here on her Bandcamp page. It must be said that Lindsay is one gracious lady who is an excellent interview subject (listen to audio of the full interview here). The reason we were able to chat is due to her December and January solo shows in Australia, she is performing in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

There are many non-metal fans who make assumptions about metal musicians that are far-fetched and often, ridiculous. Internationally acclaimed artists such as Lindsay are imbued with a strong work ethic, loads of talent and Lindsay herself has been smart enough to take advantage of an opportunity when it has been presented.

Tales are legion of how difficult it is to get a start in the music industry, so in a slight departure from the usual ‘feature article’ The A List offers, we thought it would be a treat for an interview subject to be given the opportunity to share their thoughts on this part of their journey.

Here she is ladies and gentlemen; Lindsay Schoolcraft, on how she got her start in the music industry!

“I was raised on Disney, definitely, so that’s kind of where my singing came from, but my dad is a very talented guitarist and singer. He had a pretty short-lived music career, instead he met my mom and had me and my sister. He showed me a guitar at a very young age (and) started teaching me guitar at eight, I could play some country and sing, and a slight country twang still comes out in my voice, sometimes I can’t help it. I took some piano lessons when I was younger. I definitely forgot it all until I took it up again at 21. But, you know, things change, you grow up, you go through these phases. When I was 15 I decided I really want to do music, I got a bass guitar for my birthday and (started) an all-girl punk band, (that’s) when I really started writing music; learning Bass Guitar. That was really my introduction to music.

At 21 I just had this crazy like, I don’t know, I’m like, I’m going to learn opera and learn classical piano… I think it was like Evanescence’s The Open Door (’06) that really pushed me in that direction. That’s a very (important) album in my life, but there’s a lot of other outside influences. Then I decided I’m going to go to the Conservatory, and I ended up in university for only one semester… then Cradle Of Filth snatched me up. But that’s okay, I’m still learning now. In my free time I’m pursuing vocal teaching on the side, different vocal techniques, communication and vocal health… that’s a huge thing for me. So yeah, I’ve just been slowly learning that side. I’ve had about six students this year, (they) have come every other week and it’s been…  it doesn’t feel like work. It’s just been a very rewarding job when people are passionate about what they do, and you can give that back to them.

I’m teaching myself the Harp and that’s been interesting, I probably should get lessons. I’m probably developing a lot of bad habits I don’t even know about, but here we are. So yeah, you know, I love music. I’ll definitely keep going (and) keep pursuing it and educating myself.

I’m 32 now, I’m sure by the time I’m 40… I have this joke, I was just joking with my boyfriend and I’m just like, yeah, when I’m a silver-fox I’m going to go back to university and become a professor and he’s like, ‘Babe, you do you!’ So, I don’t know, we’ll see. Music’s always going to be in my life, but there’s also the thing… the more I know, the more I realise I don’t know, but also the more I know, the more jaded I get! So, I’m trying to like find the happy balance.”

There it is! Interesting insight from a very talented artist and performer!