LINDSAY PERRY
SEA STØRIES NO. 6 / JAN 2023
Lindsay Perry is a true renaissance woman. From surfing, modeling, singing and songwriting to being a content creator for global brands like Billabong, RVCA and Sony, Lindsay is a creative force. We had the opportunity to catch up with her and talk about life as a musician and creative director along with her latest endeavor and design studio called Distinctive Noise. Photos by Rick Mellen and MIke Blabac
Where did you grow up and what is you first recollection of your many creative talents?
I grew up in Florida! Safe to say, it’s never a dull moment down here. My brother and I lived with our mom, out in the country, but we would visit his dad often, who lived on the beach. So we got a good mix of both lifestyles. I wouldn’t say we grew up in a “creative household”, but I was always big into creative writing and mostly playing outside.
Are there any artists or musicians who inspired you early on?
I was really into classic rock and country as a kid. I remember the very first time I heard Pink Floyd, my stepdad and his buddies were all drinking beer in a circle (think King of The Hill), and I rode up on my Mongoose BMX bike and asked my stepdad, “who is this?”, he looked down and with the most southern draw you’ve ever heard, said, “this is Pink Floyd”. Their music and album art has always been a big influence on me. As I look back, I have always loved and found inspiration in album cover artwork.
How did you find surfing and become a surf ambassador for Billabong?
I didn’t start surfing until I moved to the East Coast when I was 16. I got super into it really quickly. Especially given the talent around here, it seems easier to pick it up when you watch so many talented people in the water every day.
Have you always helped curate content for the brands you are an ambassador for? What brands have you collaborated with?
Yeah! So I started blogging when I was 18 or so (2007). I saw an opportunity to create something that I hadn’t seen a million times. I bought my first domain, Lindsea.com and would film or shoot photo and curate modeling shoots on any travels I was able to go on and it just snowballed from there. That’s actually how I was picked up by Billabong. The team manager at the time, Megan Villa, came across my editorial style blog from an interview with Surf Collective NYC, and that kicked off our 9-year relationship! It’s been awesome to work with brands I studied and loved for so long. Some brands I have worked with are Billabong, Nixon, Spy, RVCA, Sunbum, Richer-Poorer, Von-Zipper, Brixton and Taylor Guitars.
When did you become a musician, singer and songwriter?
I started out in the 6th-grade band. Played the clarinet in state competitions and stuff. Did that until 8th grade then got into the angsty teen phase. Needless to say, Avril Lavigne and Ashlee Simpson were topping the charts and I wanted to be an emo punk kid or at least what we thought that was back then. I started playing guitar at 14. I would get grounded a lot and my adoptive parents would take our entertainment privileges away, except my guitar. So I’d sit in my room and teach myself how to play, without books and before youtube. I wrote probably 100 shitty emo songs about boys. Those were the days….
What was the vibe and inspiration living in Nashville as a musician and artist?
Nashville is great and such an inspiring place! I still spend quite a bit of time up there. Unfortunately, I moved over from CA, just before the pandemic, so it wasn’t fully doing its “Nashville thing”, for the first year or two I was there. It really is a special and unique place. Kind of like that southern cousin to LA that you never know what they’re going to say at the family dinner. It is such a unique place to create and be around all the energy of so many talented artists both past and present.
Distinctive Noise website showcasing all of Lindsay’s video, photo and design work.
What is Distinctive Noise all about?
Distinctive Noise is my creative hub I started during the pandemic, as a way to showcase my work and explain what it is that I do creatively. I like to think of it as a one-stop-shop for folks to see a collection of ideas I’ve had and work I have been able to execute.
How would you describe your approach as a creative director?
That’s a really good question — I’d say, it differs based on each project and how I want to approach it. Sometimes it jumps off the page and other times, I like to go a bit rogue and find inspiration my own way. If it’s a photoshoot or campaign, I’ll take a few days to find a storyline concept that the collection or product makes me think and feel, then I’ll start boarding out visuals to go along with the story. I don’t think you can truly have a good campaign without a story. For graphic design, I’ll sit down at my computer or with a notepad and start making a big mess to come up with lots of little ideas to bounce off of until I narrow my vision down and run with that.
Pirette Spring / Summer 2020 Zine style lookbook.
How would you describe your style as a designer and creative?
My style of design and creative work is gritty and honest. I feel like we’re swimming in a constant sea of the same nowadays, so it’s all about finding something that is genuine and authentic. I know we can’t reinvent the wheel every time, but I surely like to try.
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
There’s one project in particular that I think is my favorite, hands down. I was in a really big phase of the NYC punk scene back in the day and how the flyers looked. Also was in a big Andy Warhol phase at the time. It’s a zine I did for Pirette Fragrance, a brand I was the Creative Director for, for a few years.
Where is your studio based?
I’m splitting my time between New Smyrna Beach, FL and Nashville, at the moment.
Any words of wisdom for young creatives starting out?
Do exactly what makes you tick. If you always put a cap on who you are and what you’re about, you’ll be miserable in any job or career path you take, so just do what makes you happy.
What’s next for you?
Finishing the never-ending third record! We started it in San Diego during the pandemic, and as life goes, it had to get shelved for a bit, but I’m very eager to get back to it and release new tunes! Aside from the new album I am working on various Distinctive Noise creative projects and look forward to taking on more this coming year!
To learn more about Lindsay Perry’s creative projects and studio visit: