Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
By Tamara McClaran, Shorelines correspondent Wed. January 25, 2006
Her name may sound tough, but singer-songwriter Lyndsey Battle is peaceful and friendly unless someone tries to get her to compromise about her art. The 22-year-old musician who calls Pensacola home insists she does not and will not play any Jimmy Buffett tunes.
"I've lost gigs because of it," Battle said during a telephone interview. "I like him alright and I've heard him a lot. I don't want to do what everyone else is doing. I'm not willing to compromise. It's not my thing. I don't fit in there."
What Battle does play is a blues-infused mix of jazz, folk and funk. Battle's original music has a soft, soulful sound and has drawn comparison to Ani DiFranco and Joni Mitchell. She's scheduled to perform at 11 p.m. Friday at the Atlantic Theatres with her trio, completed by Sean Peterson on upright bass and Brandon Warren on drums.
"I incorporate different styles into my sound," Battle said. "I don't want every song to sound the same. That's boring. I don't want to be monotonous.
Battle has been performing for about 1 1/2 years. Originally from the Tampa area, she moved to Pensacola to attend the University of Western Florida as an art major. Battle started playing the club scene, which led to appearances at Pensacola's Springfest and a live appearance as the featured artist on a Pensacola radio station's Blue Plate Special program.
Battle has also opened shows for Col. Bruce Hampton and the Codetalkers. She enlisted his rhythm section, Ted Pecchio on upright bass and Tyler Greenwell on drums and percussion, to back her on her debut album, The Prototype. The CD contains the single Assez Dit, which reached No.3 on MP3unsigned.com's official charts.
"It wasn't going to be anything more than a live recording with Ted and Tyler for people who wanted my music around town," she said. "But we started selling it and it started taking off."
Now Battle is working on a second album and preparing to embark on a tour outside of the North Florida region. She supplements her original works with obscure cover songs by a wide range of artists, including Gillian Welch and Denise LaSalle. She says other musicians have inspired her to write original music and develop her unique style.
"Dread Clampitt is my favorite band on the scene," she said. "They offer something completely fresh and unique and they have a special energy that comes through music. Ultimately, that's what I like to do."
In addition to performing, Battle works as a freelance artist and runs a promotion company that books other bands. - Jacksonville Times-Union
Her aggressive-sounding name may be appropriate for the way acoustic singer and songwriter Lyndsey Battle is tackling modern radio sludge. Battle is relatively new to her art but has already drawn comparison to Joni Mitchell and Ani DiFranco. See her perform this and every Wednesday night. Olde Town Tavern, 710 N. Palafox St. - Pensacola Independent News
Discography
The Prototype:
featuring Ted Pecchio (upright bass), Tyler Greenwell (drums/ handpercussion), and Sean Peterson (fretless bass)
Assez Dit:
single that hit #3 on MP3unsigned.com's official charts
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
If you are looking for someone with the raw talent, energy, and charisma to command even the toughest crowd, then you are looking for Lyndsey Battle.
This 22 year old singer/songwriter has been dazzling audiences across the South with her infectious folk-funk style. While residing in the Pensacola area, Lyndsey has accomplished many feats usually reserved for more seasoned veterans including landing opportunities opening for the national touring group "Col. Bruce and the Codetalkers," an esteemed spot in Pensacola's Springfest 2005 line-up, and being the first featured artist to perform live on 88.1FM's "Blue Plate Special" program. Her recent television debut helped Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Northwest Florida to raise over $10,000 during their Gulf Coast telethon. Lyndsey's songwriting skills have earned her play time on radio stations across the United States, Ireland, Great Britain and a spot at the top of MP3unsigned.com's official charts.
Although Lyndsey has drawn comparison to Ani DiFranco, Joni Mitchel, and other amazing female vocalists; to put a label on her music would be unfair. Accompanying Battle on her debut album, "The Prototype," are the national touring pros Tyler Greenwell (drums/hand percussion), Ted Pecchio (upright bass), and Sean Peterson (fretless bass). The album offers a refreshing break from the glossy, soulless music that has invaded our pop culture and drifts smoothly amidst styles of blues-funk, tasteful country, and a dark, soft, soulful sound all her own. From the first note Lyndsey Battle sings, listeners realize they have discovered something special and entirely unique.
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