The Shields Painting Difference: Perfection with Every Brush Stroke
Many painting companies in Florida rely on flashy marketing and big promises to try and attract new clients. But when it comes time to work, they fall short of their promises. This is often due to a lack of experience, qualified painters, and a drive to overachieve. At Shields Painting, we do things a little differently than other painting companies in Citrus County. We believe that a professional paint job should be as close to perfect as possible. Our goal is to leave you 100% satisfied, whether we're touching up an old residential paint job or performing a complex commercial project. It might sound simple, but we achieve that goal through honesty, hard work, beautiful results, and reasonable pricing.
As a family-owned and operated painting company in Lake Lindsey, FL, we strive to provide personalized, professional, and friendly service. Shields Painting has been in business since 1968 for a good reason. Whenever possible, we go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. Unlike some of our competition, we want to know all about your house or business painting project: your vision, your preferences, your challenges, and your goals. When we understand your needs, we can present you with a fantastic final product - one that you're proud to show off to friends and neighbors.
At Shields Painting, we combine our extensive experience with time-tested, meticulous painting processes, resulting in the highest quality painting results around. As a painting contractor in Citrus County, we can take on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Florida.
A few of our most popular painting services include:
- Interior Painting
- Exterior Painting
- Residential Painting
- Commercial Painting
- Cabinet Painting
- Ceiling Painting
- Fence Painting
- Sign Painting
- MUCH More!
Our commercial, industrial, and residential painting contractors take the proper steps to protect your property and belongings while we work. Our team will clean up after ourselves, so your property is left clean and free of debris when we're done. After all, we think there's only one way to do a job, and that's the right way.
Painting Services

Eco-friendly & clean work area.

PDCA Certified Member.

Your Go-To House Painting Company in Lake Lindsey, FL
Your home is a haven of relaxation and solitude. It is uniquely you - a place where you can express who you are through style and design. Whether you need interior touch-ups for your crown molding or a new exterior coat of paint, hiring a reliable painting contractor is the best way to get quality results.
At Shields Painting, we know how important it is to have a home that highlights your tastes and personality. That's why we offer an extensive array of residential painting services in Citrus County. As tempting as it might be to try a DIY paint job, without the proper skills and experience, there is a good chance that the results will turn out less than satisfactory.
High-quality painting requires skill, experience, and patience. If you're a homeowner who needs residential painting services but doesn't have the time, patience, or skills to handle the job, look no further than Shields Painting. We offer accuracy, precision, and longevity with each paint job we perform. Our customers choose Shields Painting for their home because they receive:
- Free Quotes with Detailed Project Breakdowns
- Affordable Pricing
- Expert Painting Contractors
- High-Quality Paint Products
- Combo of Traditional and Modern Techniques
- Well-Maintained Tools
- Unmatched Craftsmanship
- Friendly, Personalized Service
- Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work!
The majority of our house painting services come in two forms: interior and exterior.
Interior Residential Painting
As an interior painting contractor with decades of experience, our expert technicians have developed an interior painting process that maximizes quality and emphasizes customer satisfaction. We understand that interior painting goes beyond aesthetics. It protects your ceilings and walls and helps you sustain a healthier place to live for your family. When only the finest craftsmanship will do inside your home, Shields Painting is here for you.
Our seasoned team of painting experts and craftsmen is dedicated to respecting your space and providing you with the look and feel you're craving inside your home. Whether you bought a new house and want to make it your own or need minor touch-ups but have no time, Shields Painting is ready to tackle the job, no matter how small or large.
Unlike some painting companies, our interior house painters take the time to get the details right, every time. For instance, color is only one aspect of your interior paint job. The paint sheen or finish is just as important. Certain finishes are better for living rooms and bedrooms than in kitchens and bathrooms. We'll help you find the right finish and paint colors for your home, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups or repainting.
Some of our most popular interior house painting services include:
- Ceiling Painting
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Living Room Painting
- Bathroom Painting
- Basement Painting
- Color Consultations
- More

Cabinet Painting
Citrus County cabinet painting deserves its own section on this page because it requires more time, skill, and quality paint than most sections of your home. If your home's cabinets are built into its woodwork, replacing them can be obnoxiously expensive. Compared to the cost of installing new cabinets, painting your kitchen cabinets is much more affordable.
At Shields Painting, we specialize in transforming old cabinets into new, gorgeous features that are just as usable as they are beautiful. Each step of our cabinet painting process is meticulous and thorough. And we'll take care of the entire job, from cleaning, prep, and sanding to priming, painting, and reassembly. This unique service lets you enjoy a brand-new look in your kitchen without having to go into debt by replacing your cabinets.
Whether your cabinets are new, but you want to change their color or you'd like to transition wood cabinets to a painted finish, Shields Painting has the expertise and experience to give you a new look you'll love.

Exterior Residential Painting
Your home - it's a place that not only keeps your belongings safe. It protects your family and loved ones, too. It's one of your largest investments, and like anything else of value, it should be protected. However, Florida weather can take a toll on your home's structure and paint, lowering your home's value and even putting your family at risk.
While it's true that a beautiful exterior affects your house's value, it shouldn't take thousands of remodeling dollars to make a positive change to your home. There's a fine line between reasonable pricing and top-quality painting, and that sweet spot is what Shields Painting aims for. If you want to transform how your friends and neighbors see your home, never underestimate the power of a professional paint job.
Our exterior residential painting services are designed to boost curb appeal, give your home a fresh look, and help it stand up to Florida's unique weather. But we provide more than that. When you hire Shields Painting for your outdoor painting project, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your home is in truly capable hands. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help bring out the best in your property, whether you need to re-stain your deck or remove old, peeling paint from your siding.
If you're on the hunt for the very best exterior painting contractor in Lake Lindsey, FL, look no further than Shields Painting.
Some of our most popular exterior house painting services include:
- Vinyl Siding Painting
- Deck Painting and Staining
- Stucco Exterior Painting
- Wood Exterior Painting
- Porch Painting and Staining
- Soffit Painting
- Fascia Painting
- Window Painting
- Front Door Painting
- Thorough Painting Prep
- More

The Premier Commercial Painting Company in Lake Lindsey, FL
When it comes to first impressions, your businesses' appearance plays an important role. Your commercial property's paint job factors into its overall aesthetics. A great-looking, well-maintained paint job can mean the difference between a customer walking in your storefront and passing by. Conversely, an old, worn-out commercial paint job can send the wrong message to prospective customers. If you can't take the time to keep up your property's appearance, why would a customer spend their hard-earned money on your products?
The same goes for your businesses' interior paint. Would you want to do business with a company that has peeling paint or unsightly crown molding? At Shield's Painting, our goal is to create a beautiful environment that your customers and employees will love inside and out. When you work with our business painters, you can rest easy knowing we treat your business like it were our own. We always clean up after ourselves and know that operations cannot come to a halt just because we're painting. As such, we'll work with your busy schedule to ensure the job gets done right the first time without disrupting your day-to-day commitments.
With decades of commercial painting experience, we know the demands of a commercial painting project necessitate a disciplined and focused approach from the start. Our team of business painters is committed to delivering quality, on-time results on every project, every time - no excuses

We offer professional business painting services to a variety of building types, including:

01
Industrial Painting
A high level of care and finesse are required to effectively paint an industrial property. At Shields Painting, we know that industrial paint jobs involve much more than aesthetics. That's why our industrial services are customized to your specifications, using industrial-grade materials that stand up to heavy-duty operations.
02
Retail Store Painting
Our commercial painters apply effective, yet appealing interior and exterior paint that stand up to the daily rigors of busy retail environments.


03
Small Business Painting
Do you own a restaurant franchise? Have a small "mom and pop" location that needs a fresh coat of paint? Shields Painting has the resources and reliability to efficiently get the job done the first time. That way, you can focus on serving your customers, not having your business repainted.
04
Healthcare Location Painting
From walk-in clinics to long-term care facilities, Shields Painting is sensitive to your patients' needs. We know you must protect your patient's privacy while maintaining productivity. Our approach to healthcare location painting centers around your schedule to avoid disruptions in care.


05
Apartment Complex Painting
Erase signs of wear and make your apartment complex or multi-family building a more desirable place to live with a stunning, professional paint job.
Florida's Most Trusted Painting Contractor
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Latest News in Lake Lindsey, FL
The lost forts of Hernando County
Matt Vandenburghhttps://www.hernandosun.com/2018/04/28/lost-forts-hernando-county/
Hernando County is the home of several forgotten forts: Fort Cross, Fort Annutteliga, and Fort De Soto. The purpose of these forts was to protect the early settlers from Indian attacks and to provide a base from which the army could operate.Fort CrossFort Cross was established around 1839 and closed in 1840. It was reopened a short while later to provide supplies to the settlers. The fort was said to be made of logs laid on an earthen embankment. The fort was maintained by a detachment of soldiers from “C...
Hernando County is the home of several forgotten forts: Fort Cross, Fort Annutteliga, and Fort De Soto. The purpose of these forts was to protect the early settlers from Indian attacks and to provide a base from which the army could operate.
Fort Cross
Fort Cross was established around 1839 and closed in 1840. It was reopened a short while later to provide supplies to the settlers. The fort was said to be made of logs laid on an earthen embankment. The fort was maintained by a detachment of soldiers from “Company F, 4th Infantry.” There does not appear to be an agreed upon location of where the fort resided. Different historians have suggested locations for the fort along State Road 50. Roger Landers suggested it was located near the present day Bayfront Hospital. Other historians place its location near the Suncoast Expressway or a couple miles to east of the Suncoast Expressway. The General Land Office (GLO) map of the area from 1847 shows a road notated as the “Road from Clear Water Harbor to Fort Cross.”
It is important to locate the exact location of Fort Cross, it may be in the area set for the Cemex mine expansion and if its location is known it can be preserved.
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Fort Annutteliga
Fort Annutteliga was situated near Stafford Lake according to maps of the time. Stafford Lake is located Northwest of the intersection of US 98 and Lake Lindsey Rd.
The Fort Annutteliga is mentioned in a letter to Major Belknap in Camp McCall on March 1st 1842 near the end of the Second Seminole War:
“Major: The Setlers [sic] who are to take post at the Annutaliga have reached there in safety and the troops are assisting them in the erection of two block houses, about forty of their numbers carry arms. This is an important move and will answer a better purpose towards closing the war than the quartering of two companies at Fort Cross.”
Fort De Soto
The best known of the these forts is Fort De Soto. It was a military settlement named after Hernando De Soto, and established in 1840. Its purpose was to protect settlers from the Seminole Indians, but it grew to a small community that housed a trading post and became a regular stagecoach stop on the way to Tampa. The community moved south because the limestone around the fort made it difficult to get water. This community eventually became Brooksville.
This area isn’t marked with any historical site plaque, and there aren’t any remains of settlement to visit, but it did exist all the same. Fort De Soto was located in the North East corner of present day Brooksville, on Croom Road about one-half mile east of U.S. Highway 41. The property is currently owned by Edwin House. Historian Frasier Mountain recalls a wood sign over the entrance to the House property marked Desoto.The approximate coordinates of the old De Soto stage stop are 28.56795,-82.3863694. Mr. Mountain also mentioned that the stage stop was rumored to have been a place that Hernando De Soto camped as he explored Florida.
Fort De Soto is the oldest settlement in Hernando County. On February 27, 1843 two years prior to Florida joining the Union, Hernando County was deemed a county. Fort De Soto was named the county seat. N.G. Rowe was one of the early settlers and served as postmaster for the fort. Other early settlers included D.F. Thresher, and W.R. Mills.
Camps and Blockhouses
In addition to the forts there were also Camps or Blockhouses for defense in many of the local communities. Often these blockhouses also doubled as a church and community center. According to James Covington “Military camps were established between 1836 and 1837 at Camp Lindsay, Camp Allen, and Camp Broadnax. Civilian forts or blockhouses also were constructed to shelter the pioneer settlers.”
UPDATE: According to a long time Brooksville resident across Cortez Blvd from Bayfront Hospital in the proposed mining site there used to be signs that this was the site of Fort Cross and an Indian village. The signs have long since disappeared.
In Lake Worth Beach, she gives 'little libraries' a big presence
Jorge Milianhttps://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/local/lakeworth/2021/01/16/lake-worth-beach-has-100-little-free-library-locations-city/6598273002/
Lake Worth Beach has more of the books-in-a-box locations per capita than anywhere else in the worldLAKE WORTH BEACH — Andrew Carnegie is credited with building 1,700 public libraries during his life.Mary Lindsey isn't quite there yet, but the 68-year-old Lake Worth Beach resident is gaining on the steel tycoon and philanthropist.Since 2015, Lindsey has overseen the creation ...
Lake Worth Beach has more of the books-in-a-box locations per capita than anywhere else in the world
LAKE WORTH BEACH — Andrew Carnegie is credited with building 1,700 public libraries during his life.
Mary Lindsey isn't quite there yet, but the 68-year-old Lake Worth Beach resident is gaining on the steel tycoon and philanthropist.
Since 2015, Lindsey has overseen the creation of about 100 Little Free Libraries around the city. The neighborhood book exchange program was created to promote literacy.
The little libraries are housed in colorful, mailbox-like wooden structures with a sliding plastic panel that allows patrons to take or donate books. In Lake Worth Beach, there's a Little Free Library at every school, in each of its 16 neighborhoods, plus dozens of private residences. Lindsey has one in front of her home.
More:Wellington library closing for $4 million makeover
"People are crazy about them," said Cindy Ansell, director of the Lake Worth Public Library. "There are people that come into town just to look at them."
In Lake Worth Beach, the little libraries are more than just nice to look at.
The program recently passed a milestone of 500,000 books distributed, Lindsey said. It's also served as a lifeline for the community after the COVID-19 epidemic shut down the city's library for months.
There are Little Free Library branches all over Palm Beach County, but no city has a setup as extensive as the one in Lake Worth Beach.
That's due primarily to the tireless volunteer work of Lindsey, a former fashion designer who worked around the world before retiring to Florida in 1995.
Five years ago, Lindsey discovered an online mention of Little Free Library, a program that began in Wisconsin in 2009.
"I thought it was the coolest thing I ever saw," Lindsey said.
After getting city officials to back the project, Lindsey worked toward placing a Little Free Library within "safe walking distance" of every city resident. She says the program reached that goal within a year and a half.
Lindsey oversees nearly 170 "stewards" who are tasked with maintaining the little libraries by keeping them free of garbage, well-stocked with books and devoid of objectionable material. Some locations are so popular that two stewards are assigned as caretakers.
More:Downtown library lands $100,000 grant for mobile van for outreach during pandemic
Books are donated by private individuals but also through relationships with the Palm Beach County School District, Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County, and others.
Lindsey estimates that she averages 30 to 40 hours a week running the program and said she's "unbelievably fortunate" to have the leisure time to devote "to something I love so much."
"It just doesn't work without her passion," Ansell said. "She's the visionary and also the muscle that keeps it going."
The Florida Library Association named Lindsey its "outstanding citizen" in 2020 for her work with the little libraries project. According to a blurb on the library association's website, Lake Worth Beach has more Little Free Library locations "per capita than any community in the world."
More:Love and roti: Takeout shop brings flavors of Trinidad to Lake Worth Beach
That's especially important in a city where around 25% of residents live below the poverty line, according to the US Census.
"The average children's book is out of reach for many kids in Lake Worth Beach," said Lindsey, who estimates that 75% of Little Free Library patrons are 16 and younger. "They've come to truly rely on" the little libraries.
Ansell said the community's reliance on the program became apparent when the coronavirus pandemic caused the city library to close from March to June. For some residents, the 3,500 to 5,000 books circulating among the city's 100 little libraries were their only access to reading material.
Lindsey can relate. As a kid raised in southern Ohio in a family with limited financial means, she said she often found "respite" in libraries.
"It was my go-to place growing up," she said. "That's where the books were."
In Lake Worth Beach, they're now all over town, thanks to Lindsey.
jmilian@pbpost.com
@caneswatch
“This Is So Sad”: Legendary Lindsey Vonn Left Devastated as Her Favourite Ski Land Where She Won 18 World Cups Announces Upsetting News
Ishani Yadavhttps://www.essentiallysports.com/us-sports-news-alpine-skiing-news-this-is-so-sad-legendary-lindsey-vonn-left-devastated-as-her-favourite-ski-land-where-she-won-18-world-cups-announces-upsetting-news/
...
The Alpine Ski racer Lindsey Vonn is considered one of the best in the world. She has a long list of accomplishments and a long history of success. She made her debut in Salt Lake City in 2002 and has won around 82 World Cup races since then. Out of all the venues she has skied in, Lake Louise is her favorite. This is the place where she created history with 18 World Cup victories. However, the last edition of the World Cup will take place in the picturesque mountain resort, Lake Louise.
Lake is located in the Banff National Park in Canada and has been voted Canada’s best ski resort three times. The exoctic place provided a spectacular backdrop for Vonn’s 14 downhill titles. It could have been renamed ‘Lake Lindsey’ in light of Lindsey’s major victories.
The reaction of Lindsey Vonn on Lake Louise last World Cup
Despite Vonn’s retirement three years ago, Lake Louise brought back many memories for her. The World Cup event has been held at this beautiful location since 1980. In addition, there is a long history of Alpine skiing rooted in the grounds of this resort.
via Getty
In the closing pages of the World Cup book, Lindsey appears to be in a state of shock. Vonn reacted in sorrow when a Twitter user shared the news tagging her. The user wrote, “Last World Cup season for #LakeLouise? (Where @lindseyvonn earned 18 of her 82 wins, and @MikaelaShiffrin got her 1st DH & 1st SG win.) After 4+ decades, @AlpineSkiWC will no longer host WC races as of 2023-24, @TTNachrichten reports #FISAlpine.”
Oh my gosh!!! This is so sad!! I hope the World Cup will continue in Lake Louise! https://t.co/JCbwBCURna
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) August 12, 2022
Reacting to this, Vonn wrote, “Oh my gosh!!! This is so sad!! I hope the World Cup will continue in Lake Louise!” For many decades, this place has been the site of great races. Unfortunately, the Alpine ski committee will replace the spot with another. All skiers will feel the loss of Lake Louise.
Watch: Lindsey Vonn Crushes Abs Work Out With Her Newest Family Member
The resort featured luxurious accommodations as part of its massive size. Undoubtedly, it is a wonderful place that every skier adores. Currently, the committee is waiting for information regarding the proposed venue for the replacement of Lake.
What makes Lake Louise a favorite for skiers around the globe?
The Lake is located approximately 112 miles west of Calgary, Canada. The nearest airport to the city is Calgary International Airport, which is around two hours by car. The famous ski resort was constructed in 1931 and had the breathtaking Bow Valley, which has a boundary connecting it to British Columbia. This place offers low slopes for beginners and tree-lined glades for intermediate skiers, in addition to the perfect view.
via Getty
The resort has three sections: the front side near Mount Whitehorn, the small wooded larch forest, and the steep back bowls. It also has 11 restaurants in the mountain range, including Whiskey Jack Lodge and Whitehorn Bistro. Despite the closure of this place, its history will still be enriched by the gold victories of skiing legends.
WATCH THIS STORY: When Lindsey Vonn Adorably Tried to Mess Around With Ex-Beau Tiger Woods
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GOPHER TORTOISE BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION IN FLORIDA
Matt Vandenburghhttps://www.hernandosun.com/2018/05/16/gopher-tortoise-biology-and-conservation-florida/
FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2018 10 AM TO 11 AMEvery Florida resident has the ability to impact the conservation of gopher tortoises. Join regional gopher tortoise biologist Kelly O’Connor for a detailed look at the life history of gopher tortoises and information on how you can help protect this unique species. The gopher tortoise is seen as a keystone species because it digs burrows that provide shelter for at least 360 other animal species. They are threatened by predation and habitat destruction. The gopher tortoise is a representative ...
FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2018 10 AM TO 11 AM
Every Florida resident has the ability to impact the conservation of gopher tortoises. Join regional gopher tortoise biologist Kelly O’Connor for a detailed look at the life history of gopher tortoises and information on how you can help protect this unique species. The gopher tortoise is seen as a keystone species because it digs burrows that provide shelter for at least 360 other animal species. They are threatened by predation and habitat destruction. The gopher tortoise is a representative of the genus Gopherus, which contains the only tortoises native to North America. Gopher tortoises are a federally protected species. Current Florida state regulations clearly indicate that it is illegal to handle or disturb gopher tortoises or to bother their burrows.
Chinsegut Conservation Center is located at 23212 Lake Lindsey Rd, Brooksville, Florida 34601
Recently the county sent out information on a proposed garbage rate change to bring added service. The press release states,
“The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on May 22, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. in the Hernando County Government Center located at 20 N. Main Street in Brooksville to consider changing the billing method and rate for solid waste collection. If approved, solid waste collection for residents living in the mandatory area will no longer be billed on their water bill; instead, they would be billed annually on their property tax bill. In addition, the rate would increase from $8.18 to $13.27 monthly. The total billed on the property tax would be $172.80.”
The following figures were included in the notice:
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Contract Collection Rate: $13.27
Property Appraiser and Tax Collector Expense (4% gross-up): $0.55
Early Prepayment Discount Gross-up (4% gross-up): $0.58
Total: $14.40
The annualized assessment = $14.40 x 12 months = $172.80
The notice continued,
“The rates for the non-mandatory areas of the County (everything except the City of Brooksville and the mandatory area in Spring Hill) would increase to $13.49 per month and would continue to be billed directly with Republic Services.
“As part of this proposed change, residents would receive one new 96-gallon, two-wheeled cart that will be used for collection. The carts will be picked up with a new, specialty side-loader truck to provide a better level of service.”
Chairman Champion clarified during the Board of County Commissioners meeting, “There was no reference to the fact that we already have a signed contract. We already had a meeting a year ago- that this was already decided as far as the rates go.”
“So now we’ve got citizens in an uproar out there because they don’t know what’s going on.”
Deputy Administrator Jeff Rogers explained that the contract was amended with Republic on July 25, 2017 , which extended the contract for a seven year period, establishes new rates and places the fees on the tax bill for the mandatory area of the county (Spring Hill).
Chairman Champion stated that the city of Brooksville pays $20 per month and surrounding counties are around $17-$18 per month.
“The negotiated contract was a very good deal. Whether Republic is delivering or not, that’s a whole other argument. That’s why we fined them the $150,000 and we’re working towards resolving that. From the latest report it looks like it is improving- of course it’s not perfect yet,” commented Champion.
Rogers stated that the letter that went out was meant to inform of another public hearing on the matter. He said the hearing is a procedural step to change how it’s being billed from a monthly water bill to being placed on your tax bill. If you’re in a non-mandatory area- you’ll continue billing with Republic, but the rate will be increasing.
The county is now monitoring Republic’s performance on a monthly basis. Rogers stated that they are improving and the county is working with them to ensure that they get to a satisfactory point for the county’s citizens.
He apologized for the letter’s miscommunication.
“The communication on this was pretty horrific,” said Holcomb, “everyone thought they were getting double taxed for their trash.”
“The reason we’re going from the water bill to the tax rolls is basically because our citizens have been cheating this company to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars,” explained Holcomb.
He said the system still won’t be perfect, because now snowbirds won’t be able to only pay for when they are here, but the rates are still well below other areas.
Lindsey Mills of Surfer Blood – COVID-19 Quarantine Artist Check In
Mark Redfernhttps://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/lindsey_mills_of_surfer_blood_covid-19_quarantine_artist_check_in
“It’s my hope that this crisis inspires our world to begin choosing people over profits.”We are checking in with musicians during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic to see how they are dealing with everything. What has their home quarantine experience been like so far and how is the crisis impacting both their career and art? Here we check in with Lindsey Mills of Florida’s Surfer Blood.We’re living...
“It’s my hope that this crisis inspires our world to begin choosing people over profits.”
We are checking in with musicians during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic to see how they are dealing with everything. What has their home quarantine experience been like so far and how is the crisis impacting both their career and art? Here we check in with Lindsey Mills of Florida’s Surfer Blood.
We’re living in future history right now, unprecedented times that will define our era. At some point we will be living in a forever-changed post-COVID-19 timeline, but right now we’re deep in it. Many have had their livelihood interrupted by the pandemic and included are most musicians, who make a lot of their money by touring and performing, two things they can’t do right now. Most record stores are closed and vinyl factories are shut down, so album sales are depressed too. Our intention with this series is to highlight the challenges musicians are going through right now to hopefully encourage our readers and their fans to rally around and support each musician (financially if you can, but we know it’s tough out there for many people).
We’re all in this together, a whole planet united in this fight, and we hope these interviews will help illustrate that. We put together the same set of questions about the current crisis and emailed them to several musicians and will be posting their responses as they come in.
Surfer Blood were releasing a new album, Carefree Theatre, on May 1 via Kanine, but they have pushed it back to July 17 because of COVID-19. Carefree Theatre is the follow-up to 2017’s Snowdonia and 2019’s covers record Covers. The band also features John Paul Pitts, Tyler Schwarz, and Mike McCleary. Former guitarist Thomas Fekete passed away in 2016 after battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Previously the band shared Carefree Theatre’s first single, “Parkland (Into the Silence),” via a lyric video for the new song. As its title suggests, “Parkland (Into the Silence)” was about the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, in the band’s native Florida, two years ago this Friday. “Parkland (Into the Silence)” was one of our Songs of the Week. Then they shared another song from it, “Karen,” via a video for the track.
Read on as Mills reflects on her COVID-19 experience so far. Mills also submitted the following self-portrait photo displaying her life in quarantine. She had this to say about the photo: “Here I am about to roll out on my evening skate. Fun fact: The vagina bandanna I’m wearing as a face mask is signed by the legendary intersectional feminist bell hooks. xo”
Where are you spending the quarantine and who are you spending it with? If you’re spending it with other people, have you found that the quarantine has brought you closer together or caused tension?
I’m fortunate to be quarantined at home in Lake Worth, FL with my dear friend and her two cool, smart kids. We have really bonded through this experience! I take her kids in my studio for an hour of “creativity time” each day so she can get some things done. We craft, write songs, and
record random stuff. It’s keeping my imagination limber.
Is everyone in your family safe and healthy so far?
Yes, so far band members and our families have remained healthy and avoided contracting COVID.
What’s your daily routine been like? Have you spent much time outdoors? And since musicians spend so much time on the road, have you found it hard adjusting to so much time at home?
As much as I love the utter chaos of tour, I’m a creature of habit. In the last few years, I’ve started to feel like I only reach optimal health when I’m super consistent with my routine. In fact, I didn’t really learn how to love the touring lifestyle and cope with the reality of being in a new bed every night until I locked in my morning ritual. I think it sets the tone for my entire day:
– Drink a big glass of water with high quality CBD and a probiotic
– Meditate for 20 minutes
– Oil pulling
– Dry brushing
– Drink MUDWTR
I also wouldn’t be functioning without a daily grounding practice. I go outside and sit on the grass each morning while I drink my mud. I’m into quad roller-skating, so around sunset I’ll go for a skate and listen to my latest playlist.
What financial impact has COVID-19 had on you and your band? Have you had to cancel or postpone any tours or festival appearances or postpone an album release because of COVID-19 and how will that affect you in the long term?
For Surfer Blood, COVID-19 has definitely dashed some hopes. In a way, I’m incredibly grateful that SXSW was one of the first large events to fold because it made me take the situation much more seriously and I started social distancing on March 10. In light of the crisis, we decided to push back the release of our new album, Carefree Theatre, from May 1 to July 17. We have officially called off two months of touring, but are braced for more cancellations.
If you also have a day job outside of music, how has that been impacted by COVID-19? What do you think will be the lasting effects on society of all this isolated time at home?
I teach music to children, and the schools, libraries, and special events where I did my work have all closed for the foreseeable future. Yet even as an artist whose income has been compromised by this crisis, I am a white, cis-gendered, able-bodied person with a strong immune system and the ability to pivot my work online. In my privilege, I find myself pretty insulated from the graver impacts of the virus. But every day I think of how many people in underserved and minority communities were already living hand-to-mouth, who are now more vulnerable than ever. I truly believe that capitalism is the real virus here, and COVID-19 is merely a symptom of a much more insidious systemic imbalance. It’s my hope that this crisis inspires our world to begin choosing people over profits.
Is there something you’ve been putting off for a long time, but are now doing with this time at home? Has the quarantine been a fertile creative time (are you writing or recording new music, for example) or have you found it hard to focus on creative endeavors?
The quarantine has actually given me the free time I needed to launch Milly Marzipan, a purple-haired, non-binary alien alter ego I created for young kids. It’s been a lot of fun! I’m now producing a weekly live stream sing-along via Patreon and hosting virtual birthday parties.
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