Lindsay Aline has dreamed of performing since she was 13 years old, writing in her pink journal before the night of her first big performance. That night she fell in love with sharing her heart through music.
Aline dedicated herself to music — she took voice and piano lessons and performed at weddings, football games and hospitals. After years of intense training and mastering vocal techniques, she experienced a vocal burnout that triggered some serious reflection.
"There was a night when, after a frustrating and eventually tearful attempt to practice singing, I slouched at the piano, not ever wanting to open my mouth again," she said. "I was stuck. I stared at the black and white piano keys and wondered if I would ever see my dreams come true. Where had that happy, easy singing voice gone? Where was that pure, confident joy in performing my 13-year-old self had known?
"Finally, I had to sweep the sheet music away and allow my soul its longed-for freedom," Aline continued. "All of the inspiring sounds I had soaked in throughout my life collided and something uniquely my own began to take shape."
Aline's music is a conglomeration of styles. She wants to "bridge the gap between genres." She combines pop, classical, jazz, lyrical and acoustic influences into a genre uniquely her own.
After rediscovering her passion for music, songs just started to flow. Miracle after miracle helped her find the right people to work with her on album, including Tyler Castleton (producer) and Scott Wiley (sound engineer). Aline worked hard putting her heart and soul into writing and recording her album "Illusions."
"We were in the studio over a three-month period working up to six hours per day," Aline said. "It was the most emotionally exhilarating and exhausting experience of my life. It was certainly a dream come true."
Her lyrics and song ideas are refreshing. Aline shared the story behind one of the songs off her album called "Risks."
"I have always wondered why the success of one person is a threat to another. I grew up in a family where everyone supported everyone else's dreams. Risk-taking was just part of our lives — we all had wins and we all had disappointments. Love and encouragement were the constants in our life. As I grew up I noticed that others would see me as a threat when all I tried to do was have fun and share joy.
"The purpose of 'Risks' was to inspire others to soar high and follow their dreams, and to ignore the noise from the crowd. You won't always succeed the first time — but dig deep and follow your passion. Don't hang around people who constantly tell you that you aren't good enough. Recording this album was a good example. Some said I couldn't do it. I have so many positive people in my life that I just don't worry about the skeptics.
"I've learned that dream-chasing is simply old-fashioned hard work. ... It's funny, but I'm sure most 'dreams' don't happen unless we are wide awake and aware of what needs to be done."
For more information, visit LindsayAline.com.