Ivey Leighton

What can happen in three years? For Chattanooga singer-songwriter Ivey Leighton, the answer is… quite a lot.

Ivey played her first open mic at 21, and since then, her music career has picked up some serious momentum. She’s gone from performing locally and landing a residency to releasing her debut single, “Good Girl”.

On this episode of The Proximity Playlist with Gino D, Ivey talks about that whirlwind journey and what it’s been like watching something she’s always wanted to do finally become a real career.

Ivey describes her sound as “confessional pop rock,” blending alternative pop and pop rock with strong hooks, storytelling, and songs that can be playful while still being emotionally honest.

We also dig into her songwriting process, which often starts with a guitar or piano. Her inspiration often comes from everyday moments and the little thoughts or experiences that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Her debut single, “Good Girl,” is a sarcastic take on the toxic expectations placed on women, while two unreleased songs—“Nice Girl” and “Stupid Genius”—show some of the different directions her music can take.

Ivey also opens up about performing, connecting with listeners, the growing Chattanooga music scene, the challenges of social media, and her hopes for the future—including releasing music consistently, playing bigger venues, touring, collaborating with artists, and eventually making music full-time.

Most of all, this conversation is about what it feels like to watch a lifelong interest suddenly start turning into a career—and why Ivey is just getting started.

Listen to the latest episode of The Proximity Playlist featuring Ivey Leighton, and get to know one of Chattanooga’s emerging singer-songwriters.

The Proximity Playlist is brought to by WanderLinger… Where Local Flavor Meets Community. Located right in the heart of Downtown on Station Street. Get their menu, beer selection, events, and more at WANDERLINGER.COM. 

Follow Ivey Leighton at IVEYLEIGHTON.COM, Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, Spotify, and Apple Music. 

The Proximity Playlist is a local Chattanooga podcast dedicated to shining a spotlight on the vibrant music scene of Chattanooga and its surrounding areas. Each episode invites listeners on a journey through the heart and soul of the local music community, featuring talented musicians and bands who call this region home.

Through in-depth interviews, captivating storytelling, and plenty of tunes of all genres, Gino D helps tell the stories of the up and coming artists from Chattanooga.

The Proximity Playlist is brought to by WanderLinger… Where Local Flavor Meets Community. Located right in the heart of Downtown on Station Street. Get their menu, beer selection, events, and more at WANDERLINGER.COM

Please subscribe to The Proximity Playlist, support local music in the Chattanooga area, and make sure to follow along!

 If you are a local musician and you would like to be featured on The Proximity Playlist… please send mp3 or wav files of your songs as well as any and all social media and video links you’d like to share, to Gino D at gino@wdodradio.com

Submissions DO NOT have to be clean edits, however if selected you will need to provide a clean version for radio airplay.

If you get selected for a spot, Gino D will be in contact with further instruction. All genres of music are welcome, but please understand Hits 96 is a Top 40 radio station so we are looking for music that will appease a mainstream audience. Any further questions, please do not hesitate to send them to Gino D. Thank you!