Five Records That Changed My Life, Part 28: Lindsay Schoolcraft
Canadian artist Lindsay Schoolcraft is best known as a former member of the British extreme metal band Cradle of Filth. From 2013 until 2020 she played keyboards and sang backing vocals for them. But Lindsay has many sides to her artistry. She’s a harpist, pianist, singer and composer. She’s a gothic metal solo artist and a founding member of chamber black metal band Antiqva. Roppongi Rocks’ Stefan Nilsson had a chat with Lindsay about the five albums that changed her life.
Evanescence “The Open Door” (2006)
“I’m sure a lot of people reading this right now are shocked over the fact that I didn’t put ‘Fallen’ here. While that album was heavily influential on me, nothing lit a fire under my ass more than ‘The Open Door’ in regards to taking my musical education seriously. I could probably sing and play this album on piano backwards and forwards in my sleep. I feel like Amy really got to show us the darkling inside of her on this one. She boldly took us to different keys signatures and chords that made what I feel is their darkest album to date. And while this album wasn’t fully embraced by the general fan base, I know it really touched the hearts of a lot of the fan base’s musician fans like myself. You can’t deny that the string, piano, organ and choir work on this album are some of the most well thought out and crafted pieces in their discography. Not over the top, but straight forward, dramatic, and vulnerable.”
Björk “Vespertine” (2001)
“This was the first Björk album I discovered and I’m so glad I did! Björk taught me all the things singing and music could be. How raw expression is so much more powerful than perfect and polished. As she has stated and how I interpreted it, it’s very much a winter album. It’s a very magical experience and one that I revisit every winter holiday. This album inspired me to take up the harp and incorporate it into my own music. I don’t think I’d be the musician I was if it wasn’t for discovering this album when I did. It’s absolutely a listen I recommend to musicians and music lovers everywhere! This one stands the test of time and is so very unique.”
VAST “Music for People” (2000)
“I think Jon Crosby is one of the most honest songwriters there is out there. This album really pulled at my heartstrings and I think I’ve listened to it for almost two years straight in my early twenties. There is something other worldly and heavenly about his music and on this album it’s such a magical escape. The songs almost paint a fairy-tale storybook play-through for you with each song. Any of his albums are a soundscape that you can get lost in. It was hard to choose between this album and his other great piece, ‘Video Audio Sensory Theater’, which I feel is the more angsty sibling to ‘Music for People’. But ‘Music for People’ was my first love on his discography and truly left an impact on me as a listener and as a musician.”
A Perfect Circle “Thirteenth Step” (2003)
“I feel like I just missed the Tool train when I was in high school. I wasn’t mature enough to appreciate them. But when I found A Perfect Circle, they really had a long-lasting impact on me. I had no idea this album was a concept around the twelve steps of recovery, but I knew I loved it because it was a journey from beginning to end that I could go on and I carefully listened to the story in each one. I’m just a really emotional person who likes to process things slowly and really feel my experiences through and this was the perfect album to do that to, especially during the pains of my twenties. I also really love Maynard’s voice and all the gorgeous soundscapes and production this album has to offer.”
Leah “The Quest” (2018)
“This has been a newer gem that I haven’t been able to stop listening to since it was released in 2018. Leah is well known for her Celtic-folk-fantasy style being put to metal and brings it to an epic level of being ‘Lord of the Rings’ soundtrack worthy. I’ve always been extremely impressed on how she can make things majorly heavy or ease off and throughout there are multiple worldly instruments adding texture or taking the lead. She has really shown me how to compose for the harp when adding it to metal and I appreciate how genuine and true she stays to her vision and sound from album for album. This album is such a magical journey that really takes you to another world. Each song stands alone with its own personality and story. I high recommend it to anyone who is a fan of metal and folk music alike.”
