By Lauren Means | Photos Provided by Lindsey Hinkle
In the vibrant world of music, where self-expression is paramount, singer-songwriters often serve as storytellers, weaving personal narratives into melodies that resonate with audiences worldwide. For Lindsey Hinkle, a multifaceted musician, crafting her own songs since the age of 13 has been more than a passion — it’s been a lifeline. Hailing from Piedmont, Alabama, her journey from a small town to the bustling music scene of Nashville, Tennessee, has been marked by challenges, growth, and unwavering determination.
At 13, while browsing a music store for saxophone reeds, Lindsey’s eyes fell upon a Lake Placid Blue Fender Stratocaster, and in that moment, a love affair with music was born. “I was in band, but not passionate about music. I had been saving to buy a car, but my parents told me that would never happen,” she recalled.
So she invested in a guitar that ended up being life-changing. What started as a simple purchase evolved into a passion for songwriting — a cathartic outlet in a world where expressing one’s true self wasn’t always safe or encouraged. “It was only [after] a few months of non-stop practice that I was able to write my first song. It was for a book report assignment and one of the options was to write a song. Songwriting came natural to me,” said Lindsey.
Drawing Inspiration from Life
Growing up in rural Alabama, where conformity often overshadowed individuality, Lindsey found solace in music. “At a time when therapy was not an option for me… songwriting was a coping mechanism,” she shared. It was through music that she could articulate emotions, grapple with identity, and transcend the limitations of her environment.
When asked about her sources of inspiration, Lindsey responded, “Anything and everything.” From the angst of youth to the wisdom of experience, each song is a reflection of personal journeys and universal truths. Her early works served as a vessel for venting frustrations and exploring unrequited love. “I never felt safe expressing my emotions and it was like the songs were a mask,” said Lindsey. “Now, I use it more to tell stories of lessons I’ve learned. Maybe it will help someone or comfort someone to know they aren’t alone in these feelings.”
For Lindsey, every song is imbued with personal significance — a testament to lived experiences and emotional truths. From the heartbreak of “Shades of Gray” to the resilience of “Honey,” each composition serves as a mirror reflecting the complexities of human existence. “I don’t know any other way to write. Guaranteed it happened and I had something to say about it or I wouldn’t have written it,” she said.
Navigating Identity
Transitioning from Alabama to Tennessee wasn’t just a geographical shift — it was a transformative journey toward self-discovery and sobriety. Wrestling with social anxiety and the pressures of performance, Lindsey found herself confronting deeply ingrained fears and traumas. “I struggled with a religious upbringing and a family that raised me feeling like they had to choose between their faith and me,” she revealed.
Growing up in a small, Southern town can create another level of stress and anxiety for someone who is trying to strike out on their own and live their full truth. Lindsey was no exception. She said during the time she was growing up in Piedmont, there were roughly 5,000 people, 30 churches and one bar. “I go home to visit family, but I am not what you would call a ‘Hometown Hero.’ I think that is reserved for the straight, white boys. That is also the music scene there. You won’t see female headliners. It’s mostly good ol’ boys playing guitars and singing about dirt roads,” she recalled. After marrying her wife, Lindsey met a lot more people through her own family which changed her views of Alabama. “I let go of my childhood trauma and embraced a new community there where I feel loved and accepted.”
With each chord and lyric, she challenges norms and expands perceptions, carving out a space for herself and others like her. While obstacles undoubtedly exist, she approaches them with grace and determination, focusing on the journey rather than the destination.
Despite the challenges, Lindsey persevered, leaning on her newfound community and embracing her truth. Through introspection and acceptance, she found liberation from past demons and a renewed sense of purpose. Today, she stands as a testament to the power of resilience and the transformative potential of self-love.
Navigating Sobriety
“I moved to Nashville in 2019,” she reminisced, “to a halfway house with less than 24 hours of sobriety.” Reflecting on her tumultuous journey, she admitted, “I had come off opiates, but immediately went into alcohol withdrawals.”
“To say it was easy is kind of a joke now, but honestly… it wasn’t as hard as you’d think.” Recalling her priorities at the time, she stated, “I focused on my sobriety first, and music didn’t come into play until 2020.”
“Despite the challenges of that year I still managed to grow.” She pondered the silver lining of hitting rock bottom: “I guess when you’re at your bottom, there’s nowhere to go but up.”
“I am a stubborn person,” she admitted, reflecting on her journey to long-term sobriety. “It took quite a few tries for me to get here.” She paused, considering the irony of her struggles with social anxiety, especially in relation to her performances. “It’s not the stage that makes you want to drink,” she mused. “It’s the small talk before and after that gets you.”
“I don’t want to disappoint anyone,” she confessed, “or forget a name — which I most certainly will.” She acknowledged that these anxieties often led to her relapses. “I struggled to let go of my demons and forgive myself,” she continued, delving into the complexities of her religious upbringing and family dynamics.
Recalling her time in a religious outpatient rehab in Alabama, she revealed the scars on her legs from the guilt and the razor blade she used as a coping mechanism. “I knew I was gay,” she admitted, “but I thought I could just be alone instead of living in sin.”
“For anyone struggling with addiction,” she noted, “my advice is to take as much time as you need to learn yourself and your fears.” She emphasized the importance of identifying and addressing the root causes of fear, finding solace in a higher power, and accepting one’s powerlessness.
“When you conquer your fears,” she explained, “it’s like you have a superpower.” She described the newfound ability to navigate social situations without feeling the need to drink or use drugs. “The itch is always there,” she acknowledged, “but now I have friends and family now that are my army and a healthy, REAL relationship with God. I’m not afraid anymore and I might be one of the happiest people you know.”
It’s evident that for Lindsey Hinkle, music isn’t just a career — it’s a calling, a means of navigating the complexities of identity, sobriety, and self-expression. With unwavering honesty and unbridled passion, she continues to chart her own path, inspiring others to do the same. In a world that often seeks to confine, she remains resolutely free.
To learn more about Lindsey Hinkle and her music, visit https://www.lindseyhinklemusic.com/.
