A Dirty Dozen with LYDIA SAINT GEORGE – September 2026

Photo credit: Elena Cornwell

According to a recent press release: “North Carolina-based singer-songwriter Lydia Saint George has released her new single, “Lungs,” via Gold Ship Records. The track offers the first glimpse of a new collection of music that Lydia will reveal through a series of singles over the coming months. Blending atmospheric indie pop and alternative music with folk-rooted storytelling and a haunting gothic undercurrent, Lydia writes songs that feel like quiet confessions unfolding in slow motion. Her introspective songwriting transforms deep emotion and lived experience into slow-burning stories carried by intimate vocals, shadowy textures, and reflective lyricism. “Lungs” captures the emotional exhaustion of giving everything to a relationship while receiving little in return. Gradually building around an evocative keyboard loop, the song turns resignation and disappointment into something intimate, atmospheric, and quietly devastating.” We get Lydia to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

“Lungs” is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever made. It was born from trying to branch out stylistically. I wanted to take a step away from folk and lean more pop with my production. There’s a little Easter egg in the last chorus when it all goes quiet after the bridge, you can hear me quietly singing another take with slightly different lyrics in the background. It wasn’t added intentionally – my mixing engineer Chris must’ve uncovered it in my project and I loved it so much I asked him to make it more prominent.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I don’t know what got me into music as a whole; I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t all I ever thought about. We lived in upstate New York when I was a kid, winters were long and my favorite way to pass the time was playing the keyboard. It had hundreds of sounds and pre-set instrumentals. I would spend hours clicking through them and playing them on full blast for the whole house to hear. I think I knew I wanted to be a musician when I watched anyone perform on TV. ( America’s Got Talent, or the 2003 Freaky Friday movie where Lindsay Lohan’s character plays guitar with her band, or the scene in Ella Enchanted where Anne Hathaway sings “Somebody To Love.”)  Those were very formative for me.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

“Total Eclipse of the Heart” came on the radio one day when I was like 10 and I thought it was the most beautiful song I’d ever heard. That was the start of the 80’s music rabbit hole. I remember my mom showing me the music video for “Straight Up” by Paula Abdul around the same time. I thought she was so cool. I always find myself circling back to stuff from that era. Recently I keep coming back to “Come Undone” by Duran Duran, and “I’m Not In Love” by 10cc.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Definitely Lana Del Rey. She’s my all time favorite, her music inspires me every day. Her songs are deeply immersive, and I feel like whatever style she tries, she goes all in. Seeing her musical process would be fascinating- I would love nothing more than to write a song with her.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

I feel like there’s never a time I’m not working on music in some capacity, but when I can step away for a few hours, I love going on car rides with my sisters where we blast whatever five songs we’re obsessed with at the time and then we usually end up at Target, Dunkin, or our local thrift shops. When it’s time to unwind, I like to light a candle, turn on some music and scroll on pinterest. Or read a good mystery novel, or watch a youtube video (usually some kind of aesthetic vlog or my favorite artist’s live performances.)

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I would describe my music as cinematic alternative pop / rock. As a general, I don’t like being compared to country artists. But I play a lot of solo acoustic sets and I live in the South so it happens:)

7. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I honestly don’t know.

8. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I really just love that I get to listen to music all day. But If I wasn’t a musician, I’d want to be a model or fashion designer, or an interior decorator.

9. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I always enjoy being asked about my visuals. I think planning the outfits and photos is sometimes just as fun as making music, and sometimes it takes just as much of my brainpower. I’m kind of tired of answering “What kind of music do you make?” I feel like I’m bad at describing it.

10. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I would like to go back and fight harder to never let anyone change my sound or put me and my music into a box of what they wanted it to be, and absolutely never sacrifice creative freedom.

11. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I would choose Ultraviolence by Lana Del Rey. This record means everything to me and has greatly impacted my production for my own music. It never gets old. “West Coast” is my most listened to song of all time on Spotify. The record perfectly encapsulates female melancholia, while having fun lighthearted songs to dance to. I related to it as a 16 year old and I still do, and probably always will. I need a three hour documentary of Lana and her team in that studio.

LYDIA SAINT GEORGE LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

Category: Interviews