Smooth sounds of sophmore singer: Libby Linton

By her own admission, it doesn’t take much to make Libbie Linton feel awkward.

She compiled plenty of half-finished songs over the course of four years before a good friend pushed her onstage about eight months ago, forcing her to get passed her stage fright. Since then, Linton has become a local favorite in some circles, filling cafes and house parties with perfect guitar melodies and seamless vocals.

In between shows and classes at Utah State University, Linton has found time to release a solid debut album.

The seven songs on “The Shackleton EP,” were recorded inside the foam-lined walls of Linton’s storage room with a couple of microphones and a personal computer. Linton pressed the record button herself. But don’t let that deter you from this disc. The simplistic and lo-fi approach works to Linton’s advantage, adding emphasis to her intricate picking patterns and distinct voice.

Linton wears some of her influences on her sleeve, drawing comparisons to Sub Pop artist Iron and Wine, but Linton’s vocals give the EP its own sound.

At only 19 years of age, Linton’s lyrics are surprisingly smart (she’s a biological engineering major), but sometimes muddled – the album’s only real downfall. The songs are as slow and smooth as the life in her hometown.

The album’s bookends are its best songs, starting powerfully with “What’s Left” and fading out beautifully with “TR.” In between, the five solid tracks are icing on the cake.

While it may be unfair to compare Linton’s debut EP to indie-label releases, it just wouldn’t be right to compare it to the local releases it stands head and shoulders above.

Check out Libbie Linton’s music for free at www.libbielinton.com or at www.myspace.com/libbielinton.

Q&A with Libbie Linton:

19-year-old sophomore, biological engineering

Q: How does your song-writing process work?

A: Most of my song writing happens when I’m really busy. I’ll need a break from studying, so I’ll write and it flows a lot better. If I sit down to write a song, it doesn’t work. I write the music first. If I write the lyrics first, nothing ever fits quite right.

Q: Where do you get your lyric ideas from?

A: Whatever is going on in my life – my relationships with other people.

Q: When did you start performing?

A: Eight months ago. I was too shy, but I had a really good friend who sort of forced me to deal with it.

Q: Do you still get nervous?

A: No. I love performing, even though initially it scared me.

Q: Where did you get your first guitar?

A: I stole it from my brother. It was an old classical guitar. I sort of grew up in a house of guitars, they were just lying around.

Q: Where did you record your EP?

A: At my home. I had this old storage room full of crap. Last fall, I cleaned it out, painted it and put up some cheap foam. It’s just me, a guitar and a couple of mics. I pressed record myself.

Q: Do you plan on touring anytime soon?

A: I’ll probably go on some trips with friends and schedule a few shows. I’ll nudge it, but I won’t push [a music career] … Although it would be nice to do something other than [my major] biological engineering.

-afc@cc.usu.edu

Libbie Linton recently recorded her first EP. Linton is a sophmore at USU.