Combine the raw energy of early rockers like Little Richard with New Orleans soul icons The Neville Brothers and the retro-modern styles of Nick Curran and you’ve got a glimpse into the world of Lindsay Beaver. This dynamic vocalist-drummer originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia currently resides in Austin, TX. The 33-year-old Beaver studied classical voice and jazz drumming in college and began her performing career touring globally with the 24th Street Wailers. During her tenure with that band Beaver independently released five albums, initially attracting the attention of prominent blues-rocker Jimmie Vaughan (Fabulous Thunderbirds). “We were playing in Canada and opened for Jimmie,” says Beaver. “We got to know each other really well through the festival circuit. He recommended I check out Austin and he’s been a good mentor, for sure.”
Concurrently Beaver was also cultivating a relationship with Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer. “I met Bruce about six or seven years ago when we first started,” she says. “He actually was very complimentary about the band, but didn’t think we were ready at the time. And he was right (laughs)!”
But perseverance paid off in the ensuing years when Beaver recorded some follow-up demos. “I honestly didn’t think Bruce would be interested in what I currently was doing, because it’s not exactly straight-up blues,” she says. “But my guitar player Brad (Stivers) suggested I give it to him anyway because the music still had some blues and swing to it. Bruce heard the demos, liked it and we’ve gone from there.”
Beaver’s Alligator Records debut will be released the first week in October along with a series of select live appearances. It will feature a number of guests, as well, including The Fabulous Thunderbirds’ guitarist Mike Keller and rootsy R&B horn man “Sax” Gordon.
“At the core of what we do is entertainment, and people should be able to dance to it,” emphasizes the Texas-based musician. “I want the audience to be engaged with the band and not just be played at. There’s a feeling to that New Orleans style of rock & roll that we play that really has some bounce to it and gets people involved.”
Date Signed: May 2, 2018
Label: Alligator Records
Type of Music: Blues/Rock & Roll
Management: Self
Booking: Lindsay Beaver Booking
Legal: Bobby Blunt
Publicity: Marc Lipkin, [email protected]
Web: lindsaybeaver.com
