Draft:Lindsay Lou

Lindsay Lou (born Lindsay Rachel Petroff) in Butler, Missouri to Greg Urho Petroff and Cherie Lynn Petroff (Timbrook), her father was employed in the coal mines as a machinist and her mother as a receptionist. At age three, her family moved back to Michigan where she grew up and was influenced by a large, musical extended family. Her maternal grandmother, Nancy Anne Timbrook, was a healer at Rainbow Gatherings and has been noted as an influence on the ethos of Lou's writing and music, even being included speaking on one of her albums.

After a divorce from musician and former Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys founder, Joshua Rilko, Lou adopted her artist name as her legal name.

Career
Lindsay Lou is a versatile musician known for her boundary-pushing approach to various genres including bluegrass, folk, and adult alternative pop. Born in Missouri and raised in Michigan, Lindsay Lou's musical journey began with the release of her self-issued debut album, A Different Tune, in September 2010. Drawing influences from folk, blues, bluegrass, and swing, her early work showcased a diverse range of styles.

In the early 2010s, Lindsay Lou gained recognition as the front-woman of Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys, a bluegrass group that released albums such as Release Your Shrouds and Ionia. The band's dynamic performances and fusion of bluegrass with acoustic pop garnered acclaim, leading to nominations and awards in the music industry.

Alongside her work with the Flatbellys, Lindsay Lou co-founded the harmony-rich folk trio, the Sweet Water Warblers, with Rachel Davis and May Erlewine in 2014. Their debut album, The Dream That Holds This Child, released in 2020, showcased their intricate vocal harmonies and instrumental performances.

In 2018, Lindsay Lou embarked on a solo career with the release of her album Southland, which incorporated elements of pop, rock, and roots music. Continuing her exploration of different styles, Lindsay Lou's solo work evolved towards a more personal and adult alternative sound.

Her 2023 album, Queen of Time, marked her debut on label Kill Rock Stars and further showcased her versatility as a musician. Inspired by personal experiences including loss and divorce, the album received critical acclaim for its emotional depth and stylistic nuance. Produced by Dave O'Donnell (James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Heart) and featuring GRAMMY® Award winners Jerry Douglas and Billy Strings among others, the album was regarded by Rolling Stones as "a confident 11-song document that combines Americana, folk, indie-soul, and Lou’s brand of progressive bluegrass," and forecasts her as the next queen of bluegrass.

Named among NPR’s “12 Best Live Performances” in 2015, Lou has long been beloved as a live performer, from Telluride Bluegrass Festival to Stagecoach, Celtic Connections to Australia’s National Folk Festival, and a “Can’t Miss Act” at AmericanaFest — not to mention acclaim from PBS, No Depression , NPR , Billboard, Holler , Paste, and The Bluegrass Situation , among other outlets. Her discography includes a diverse range of albums and singles, reflecting her multifaceted musical journey. Throughout her career, Lindsay Lou has collaborated with various artists including Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, and Yonder Mountain String Band. Her discography includes a diverse range of albums and singles, reflecting her multifaceted musical journey.

Selected Discography

 * Queen of Time (2023)
 * Southland (2018)
 * The Dream That Holds This Child (2020) - The Sweet Water Warblers
 * Release Your Shrouds (2012) - Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys
 * A Different Tune (2010) - Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys

Notable Collaborations

 * Billy Strings
 * Molly Tuttle
 * Yonder Mountain String Band
 * Greensky Bluegrass
 * The Lone Bellow
 * Sierra Hull
 * Sierra Ferrell
 * Railroad Earth
 * Wood Brothers