Lindsay Schoolcraft

Lindsay Schoolcraft Opens Up About Harrowing, Creative Evolution, and What Is Next

By Devious Dayna

With her new album Harrowing out June 19th Lindsay Schoolcraft is stepping into a new creative chapter shaped by emotional honesty, artistic independence, and a renewed sense of direction.

In a recent conversation with This Day In Metal, Schoolcraft spoke about the origins of the record, her evolving creative process, and the deeply personal experiences that shaped the album. Recorded in a studio environment that reflected the collaborative energy behind the project, the discussion offered a look into the mindset behind one of her most emotionally layered releases to date.

The Origins of Harrowing

The album first began taking shape in 2022 when she felt the need to return to heavier music after a creative gap.

“I decided I need to make another heavy album. I just hit up Rocky Gray and was like, ‘Do you got any riffs?’ And that is where we started.”

What began as a simple reconnection with heavier sounds quickly evolved into something more emotionally driven than she initially expected.

“I did not realize how angry I was, but once I got started, it felt good to be back.”

Emotional Processing Through Music

Throughout the interview, Schoolcraft emphasized how closely her songwriting is tied to emotional processing, describing music as something she fully “alchemizes” in order to move forward.

“I can go through everything in therapy, but until I have alchemized it into music, I have not really gotten over it.”

That emotional intensity became a defining force on Harrowing, with themes of loss, reflection, and personal transformation woven throughout the record.

A Shift in Creative Approach

While earlier work often came from sudden bursts of inspiration, parts of Harrowing were built more collaboratively through demos provided by her bandmates.

“Anything that you hear on this album was something I really felt attached to. If it made me feel something, I worked on it.”

She also reflected on how her creative outlook has shifted with time, noting that future work may take on a more self-directed approach rooted in identity and personal history.

Songs and Personal Moments

Some of the most emotionally charged moments on the album come through in tracks like “Vague,” which explores feelings of entrapment and uncertainty.

She described it as one of the most difficult songs to sit with emotionally, touching on themes of hopelessness and reclaiming personal agency.

Elsewhere, “Chase the Dark” stands out as one of the most personal moments on the record.

“I will chase the dark, I will not lose my spark. It is like a goodbye love letter to something that was not really love.”

Life Outside of Music

Beyond her work as a musician, Schoolcraft also shared a grounded perspective on life outside of the industry, focusing on health, rest, and balance.

From hiking in Hamilton and caring for her cat to maintaining a quiet home life, she described simplicity as essential to her creative reset.

“Sleeping. My home. My cat. That is my reset.”

She also noted her work in directing and producing music videos, calling it “like doing an album in its own way.”

What Comes Next

While Harrowing is only just arriving, Schoolcraft revealed that new material is already in motion, this time leaning toward a more aggressive, emotionally charged direction.

“Pure feminine rage.”

She also expressed interest in expanding further into trip hop and electronic influences while continuing to explore orchestral and Celtic elements in her sound.

As Harrowing approaches release, Schoolcraft appears to be entering a phase defined by creative freedom and emotional clarity, one that embraces both vulnerability and strength in equal measure.