Lindsay Ell Still Believes In Magic
- Josh Kitchen
- 38 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Lindsay ell Announces 2026 Headlining Tour And Talks New EP Fence Sitter
By: Josh Kitchen / October 17, 2025
With just a week until her new EP fence sitter drops, guitar virtuoso and singer-songwriter Lindsay Ell has announced a headlining tour set to kick off in January in London, before making her way through her native Canada, New York, and wrapping up at the iconic Troubadour in Los Angeles this March.
Ell has been making dynamic, genre-blending music for nearly two decades. She first picked up a guitar at age ten and was discovered at fifteen by Randy Bachman, founder of Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Her rise through the Canadian charts quickly caught the attention of legends like Buddy Guy and Keith Urban, and after opening for Shania Twain, she was personally invited by Twain to become her lead guitarist—a role she still holds today.
On fence sitter, Ell sheds some of her country twang in favor of pop and dance textures, while keeping her trademark confessional and emotionally open songwriting intact. The EP’s title was inspired by a subreddit for “fence sitters,” a community where people discuss whether they want to be parents—something Ell herself has wrestled with. It’s a perfect reflection of her gift for honesty and relatability: music that makes people feel seen, and as always, makes them want to move. I caught up with Ell to talk about fence sitter, touring with legends like Buddy Guy and Shania Twain, what she’s reading, and the magic of music.
Ahead of your headlining tour that kicks off January 24 in London, you are dropping your new EP next week - fence sitter. I’ve heard it and love it. I think your fans will really respond to it because on these songs, it feels like you’re breaking new ground, but it still feels very you. Talk to me about that.
Thank you! Yeah, I feel like writing this EP, I really wanted to jump into subject areas that I’ve never written about before — topics that are more vulnerable. In this new era of my career and chapter of my life, I’m really trying to write songs that feel incredibly honest. Coming from the country world and evolving my sound over the past few years, it’s most important that my music still feels like me — that it represents what’s revolving around my mind and what’s going on in my life. At the end of the day, that’s what connects us through music. You listen to a song and think, “I know what that feels like.” I’m just trying to write songs that feel real.
There’s some pretty heady material on this record, but it’s also incredibly fun to listen to. Songs like “good guy” are such infectious pop moments — it feels like a natural evolution in your sound.
Thank you! Fingers crossed. I’m just over here trying to keep my little John Mayer–1975 heart happy, and it feels like we’ve achieved that on this EP. The music I’m writing now — hopefully for a project coming next year — will evolve things even further.
The coolest thing in this evolution of my sound and artistry has been realizing that fans don’t even feel it’s that different. I’ve always loved watching artists evolve. Even as a little girl, I’d watch Justin Timberlake and John Mayer grow through their eras, and artists like Sheryl Crow who defy strict genres. A project may lean one way or another, but the songwriting carries it forward. I’m really hoping this project brings fans along for the journey.
You’ve already lived a long musical life. You started out playing with Randy Bachman, of Bachman-Turner-Overdrive, you've toured with Buddy Guy, and now you’re playing guitar on tour with Shania Twain. Walk me through that journey.
I started touring when I was ten years old, and because of that, I’ve been able to see some amazing places. If I had to pick a place that feels most like home, it’s the stage — I’ve been doing that the longest. I’m so grateful for everything touring has given me, like meeting and learning from Randy Bachman. He was the first to plant that songwriting seed in me and really nurture it. I still write with him — we were in Nashville together a few weeks ago.
Touring with Buddy Guy was another wild experience. I was this little blonde girl playing blues songs in a trio, and the first time Buddy invited me on stage, I thought, “What is my life?” Since then, I’ve gotten to tour with Keith Urban, Maren Morris, OneRepublic — it’s been incredible.
Opening for Shania a few years ago was already a dream, but when she called and asked me to be her lead guitarist, I couldn’t say no. Being a sideman was never something I envisioned, but when your childhood hero calls, you say yes. These past couple of years have been amazing. I know I’m a better artist because of Shania — seeing how she commands the stage, how she plans every moment, every word. It’s been such a gift.
She's such an icon. It must be surreal to call her a friend now.
It’s wild. At first, I had to think about it because I’m an artist first, but I believe that when your heart leaps toward something, you say yes and figure the rest out later. The people I’ve met through this experience and the creative inspiration — it’s been incredible. You never know where it’ll take you. I always want to surround myself with people I admire and can learn from. It’s been so rewarding.
I always like to ask — are you reading anything right now?
Yes! I’m such an avid reader. I always have a few books going at once. I just finished We Can Do Hard Things by Glennon Doyle and Manifest by Roxie Nafousi. I’m in the middle of Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss — it’s thick, but I love it. I read a lot of nonfiction — maybe it’s the Type Three in me, always trying to grow and learn. Next on my list is Radical Acceptance — I’ve heard amazing things.
You’re part of an amazing lineage of Canadian musicians — from Joni Mitchell to Neil Young to The Band. Who are some unsung Canadian artists you wish more people knew about?
Great question. The first person that comes to mind is Donovan Woods. He’s a phenomenal songwriter and artist — one of those people I think should be massive. I also love Valley — they’re such a cool Canadian band and deserve way more attention.
Back to the EP - did you intend to release a shorter collection of songs?
It’s such an interesting time in music right now — with all the talk about singles versus albums versus EPs. For me, EPs felt like perfect stepping stones while I evolved my sound. They’re like little gateways: “Here’s what this next chapter might sound like.” Working with my label has been so fulfilling — they really believe in me and let the music lead, which is rare. We did an EP last year, one this year, and next year we’re working toward a full-length. I’m an album artist at heart. The artists I admire most make albums — cohesive, thematic bodies of work that mark where they are in life.
Which song are you most excited for people to hear?
“magic” is such a cool track — I love playing it live. “good guy” makes you want to dance. But I had to name the EP fence sitter. The day we wrote that song, I told my co-writers I wanted to write about not knowing if I want to be a parent. It’s a question a lot of people ask themselves, especially women, who have a limited window to decide. In my twenties it was loud, but when I turned 30, it became deafening. All my friends were getting married, having kids, and I was still like, “I don’t know.” My producer showed me a SubReddit called r/fencesitter with 80,000 people discussing whether or not they want to be parents — I was fascinated. I hope they all find this song! It felt right to write from that space, and that’s how the EP got its name. It represents everything I’m feeling right now.
That's so powerful. I think a lot of people will connect deeply with that.
That’s my hope. When I make music, I just want it to connect with someone — to make someone feel seen.
Pre-save fence sitter here and catch Lindsay Ell on her 2026 tour at the dates below! Pre-Sale: Monday, October 20th @ 10 am LOCAL
On-Sale: Friday October 24th @10AM LOCAL
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