These days, it's a good thing Lindsay Ell likes to write on the road. "I kind of write everywhere," the country up-and-comer told The Boot in a recent interview. "On the road, I gather ideas by myself. I'm kind of writing by myself, and starting songs."

Ell has had ample opportunity to multi-task as a songwriter and touring artist over the past couple of months. In October, she launched her headlining Monster Energy Outbreak Tour, a run that will extend through the new year and wrap in January. Although it's her first time headlining a tour, Ell brings hefty experience and an impressive roster of former tour bosses to the string of dates.

"We've had such an amazing year out on the road, being able to tour with Brad Paisley, and Sugarland and Keith Urban," Ell explains. "It was one of my favorite things to watch some of my favorite artists getting to do what they do."

Out on the road with some of her idols and mentors, the "Criminal" singer took every opportunity she could to learn more about what goes into running a tour. "To be able to watch them in their element, it was like a master class, honestly," she goes on to say. "I wouldn't wanna miss a minute of their show, because I feel like I would pick up something new every evening, being able to watch how they interact with the crowd and how they sing their songs. They're just so good at what they do. I was like a sponge every night."

Even in the middle of a busy touring schedule, Ell still has her upcoming new album -- the followup to her studio debut, The Project -- at the forefront of her mind. Once she's off the road, and whenever she's back in Nashville in between tour dates, the country singer is busy writing new material.

"Usually every day that I'm in Nashville, I'm writing," Ell says. "Whether it's an evening on a weekend, if I'm in Nashville, you can pretty much guarantee that I've written a song that day."

Whether on the road taking notes from some of country's best established musicians, honing her skills on her own headlining tour or in Nashville, hard at work on her next project, Ell constantly sharpens and develops her craft. "I keep my calendar pretty stacked," she adds. "I'm just always creating."

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