songs of lament & renewal
Words by Leif Utne
Photo: Jacob Rosen
Much art has been inspired by the collective pain of the pandemic. One local artist whose recent work is gaining national acclaim is Indianola-based singer-songwriter Lydia Ramsey. The folk/Americana songs on Ramsey’s third solo album, Like A Dream (released in September), are a series of wistful lamentations on the state of the world and prayers for personal and collective renewal.
The opening track, “Revival,” perfectly captures the sense of loneliness and isolation many felt during the lockdowns in the early months of 2020. In it, Ramsey croons: “My country was dyin’ in front of me... / Months felt like years and put lines on my face.”
Looking back, Ramsey reflects, “I felt like I was watching 2020 unfold from behind a veil, like these monumental moments in human history were happening all around us and we were being told to stay home and not see each other. There was this one thing affecting the entire world, and instead of it bringing people together, we seemed to get further divided.”
Ramsey began writing the album with the hope “of letting people know they didn’t have to feel sad and lonely. That someone out there cares for you, even if you don’t feel that in the given moment.” Also, she says, it was “an offering that perhaps we need pauses in life to stop and look at what’s working and what changes we need to make.”
Like A Dream was recorded at Brickyard Studio on Bainbridge Island with engineer Johnny Bregar and a long list of musician friends, including drummer Faustine Hudson, bassist Micah Simler, keyboardist Jack Ramsey and guitarist Jason Kardong.
Like A Dream is available online at lydiaramseymusic.com.
