A Few Things I've Learned

Libby Linton seized me. Not literally. The quiet singer/songwriter seems to be the type that’s uncomfortable with any rough physicality. The folky twenty-something fiercely grabbed me by the ears when I heard “Shackleton, I’m Solid”, a sweet, tall song that blends the line between acoustic powered folk and glittery sea shanty. I was shocked to see that such a shy seeming individual delivered the soaring, warbling vocals that seemed to me a confection cut from a block of soap: clean and pleasantly worn around the edges. The self-proclaimed “mild-mannered type” who enjoys “math and limeade” was kind enough to speak to me, an English-centric, pink lemonade fan. We had a lot to discuss.





How did you enter into the folk scene?

Starting at a young age, I've been surrounded by guitars and banjos and so on. It was only a matter of time before I learned how to play. Along with that, my parents were big fans of artists like Cat Stevens, Simon and Garfunkel, Nick Drake and Jethro Tull, so that definitely had an effect on my musical taste. As far as playing shows and writing songs, it was just something that I've always had an inclination to do. When I got to college and found myself surrounded by brave people who weren't afraid to get up in front of a crowd and sing, it was a natural step to throw myself in front of a mic.


What are your main influences (musical and nonmusical)?

Musically, I'm influenced by any artist that seems like they mean what they are singing. Whether its upbeat or melancholy, I find that I have a short attention span for anything that feels contrived. Specifically, I like Nick Drake, The Shins, Iron & Wine, Fleet Foxes, Sufjan Stevens, and many many others. More than anything, I think I'm influenced by live performances from musicians that really sing like they mean it. Outside of music, I am influenced pretty significantly by certain writers, like Billy Collins and Flannery O'Connor.


Who are your favorite contemporaries?

Despite having significant leanings to the indie folk genre and artists that I've mentioned like Sufjan Stevens and Iron & Wine, I like a fairly diverse range of contemporary music. To name a few, I like the Bowerbirds, Fleet Foxes, Faded Paper Figures, Bon Iver, Jolie Holland, Sean Hayes, and many more. There are a lot of really good musicians and bands out there, and this is just a small list of music that I listen to a lot.


What is the strangest thing a fan has done for you?

I wish I had an amazingly strange story about crazy fan behavior, but I tend to attract a pretty mentally stable crowd. I can't say that a fan has ever done anything for me that was too unbelievable. I've had more than my fair share of bizarre conversations and a few marriage proposals, but that's as extreme a response as I have seen.


How did you come up with "Shackleton, I'm Solid"? Can you explain in your words exactly what it's about?

This is an interesting question. It's not the first time I've been asked this, and I will say that this probably won't be the best response. "Shackleton, I'm Solid", believe it or not, means something very specific that can be broken down into very plain English, but it's also a phrase that I think deserves to maintain a degree of ambiguity. In all of my songs, there is a bit of vagueness in the lyrics. Every line represents something and means something, but I don't like to make everything too cut and dry. I'm not the type to say everything in straightforward, plain terms. The reason for that comes down to a desire to leave things open to individual interpretation. I think that helps to get an emotional point across, even though the literal point might not be as transparent.

That being said, here are a few more details about what that phrase means without spelling it out too much. I get asked a lot if the song is directly about Ernest Shackleton, who was an Antarctic explorer. The song is most definitely not about Ernest Shackleton, but rather, the name is a representation of a bigger idea and time period. The "I'm Solid" half of that statement is a reminder of knowing where you stand. When it comes down to it, it is more or less an apology song and a song of reassurance. Terribly vague answer, I know.


Are you working on an album/playing any shows soon? If not, what are you working on?

Well my first full-length album called "Bird Wings in the Bleak" was released April 23. It consists of 12 songs, mostly brand-new tracks as well as a more complete version of Shackleton, I'm Solid. That album will most assuredly be available online on www.libbielinton.com and eventually on iTunes, and I'll be playing many shows in support of that release this Summer and Fall.