Western Mass country rocker Lindsey LaBelle knew early on what she wanted to do. Real early on.
When she was three her father, Kenny LaBelle, had her singing in his home studio. At 13, she became a backup singer in his band The Silent Partner Project. Two years later found her singing in his Neil Diamond tribute band, The Diamond Collection.
Mom Sandra LaCaresse has been in bands pretty much her entire life as well. She currently rocks out as singer of local group Out of the Blue. LaBelle sings a few songs with them, too.
LaBelle’s main project these days is the eponymous Lindsey LaBelle, in which she stars alongside guitarist Benjamin Jon, bassist Rocko, and the curiously named Matt 9 on drums. Inspired by the likes of country superstar Miranda Lambert and Staind cofounder and local legend Aaron Lewis, LaBelle strives to marry the best of her two favorite genres.
“I love country music and rock music, so I’m trying to combine them in my songs,” she says. “Country with a little bit of an edge to it.”
There are a couple of things to know about the Lindsey LaBelle live experience. For starters, she eschews footwear.
“I hate wearing shoes on stage because I’m so clumsy, I don’t want to have to worry about falling and singing at the same time,” she says.
Second, she’s created her own patented “neener neener” country dance.
“Your arms go straight down, keeping elbows straight, as you bend your knees up one at a time,” says LaBelle. “It’s becoming quite popular.”
Lindsey LaBelle is busily promoting the recently released full-length, Who’s Drinkin’ With Me Tonight? [Stillwork Records]. It includes her take on “Without You,” one of the first songs her father ever wrote.
“I—along with most people that have heard it—just love it. It’s different,” she says of dad’s tune. “So I went in to record it but made it a little more acoustic feeling.”
Just busy keeping the family tradition alive.”
For songs, shows and more information, visit www.lindseylabelle.com.
