GoGirls Interview With Linq
In reviewing our candidates for our GG's monthly interview feature - we try to really connect you with artists that have great insight into the needs of musicians and their dreams as well as the business of music. Linq provides us with a simple, and brief common sense approaches in her words, about maintaining excitement as artists beginning work on your projects. As Linq relates; pushing ourselves away from our comfort zones, is actually necessary to our budding careers, if we ever hope for it to fully blossom - and Linq confirms that passion is first and foremost - the fuel to get wherever it is you want to be. Enjoy! And make sure to write her and thank her for appearing here, your GoGirlsMusic.com. ~ Annette Warner - Editor
GoGirls: What drives your music. When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?
I started my music career very late in life. Music had always been important to me, and I had always dabbled, but recently I entered a hugely creative space and realized that I didn’t want all these songs that were channeling through me to die unheard. The wonderful audience response to my first stage appearance confirmed that I was meant to do this, and I realized that I might actually be able to make a positive difference in the world through my stories.
GoGirls: What kind of advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don’t give up?
Recognize that your greatest passions in life are what fuel your soul.
GoGirls: Describe your ideal venue.
I love a space with great acoustics, a good sound engineer, and an attentive, open-minded audience. It’s not the size, it’s the ambiance.
GoGirls: Describe your music's evolvement since you first started performing?
I constantly push myself out of my comfort zone, and that moves me forward into new musical territory and opens me to the creation of unique, genre-blurring tracks.
GoGirls: Tell us about the inspiration for your 2007 release "Change the Picture, George!" ... what inspired the name and how has your music evolved from the first release to the latest.
CTPG is a 2-song EP that includes a CDr version of my first music video. The title is a combination of the tracks, “Change the Picture” and “George Orwell Where Are You”. Coincidentally there seems to be a consensus that the “other” George needs to make some changes. The songs are actually part of my next project called LIFE GOES ON, which is due for an early 2009 release. However, I felt an urgency to release them right away to spread their messages rather than wait for the entire project to be finished.
My first full-length CD, JOURNEY (2004), is somewhat of a “break-up” album with some political statements thrown in, and it embodies my actual journey onto a musical path. FAST MOVING DREAM (2006) is really just that. It reflects the whirlwind of creativity that I have experienced. I’m quite excited about the upcoming release of LIFE GOES ON. I’m still growing as an artist, and I hope that the songs will encourage conversations and evoke thought. I am also close to finishing my first intentionally-themed CD. I was a pharmacist and independent pharmacy owner until recently, and I’m using that life experience to create a healthcare/business CD that won’t necessarily be popular in corporate boardrooms. It’s called RX and the SIDE EFFECTS, and it will be released later in 2009.
GoGirls: What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project - and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?
I think that it’s important that the artist is truly excited about the material before bringing it forward as a CD project. A great way to save time in the studio is to be prepared for the session. Using experienced studio musicians and having charts available for their use speeds things up, too.
GoGirls: What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?
If you enter the music industry because you love what you do, are willing to stay true to your musical vision, and are able to just keep working hard and moving forward, I think that you will reap rewards. A musician friend of mine once said to me that he knew that if he didn’t play that he would just wither up and die. On the other hand, if the intent is to just jump in and make lots of money and be famous, I think that disappointment is usually in order.
GoGirls: Describe your toughest moment in your quest for a pro music career so far?
I don’t know that I’ve had a single “toughest moment” because I’ve allowed myself to move forward organically without unrealistic expectations. Perhaps my biggest challenge has been to become totally comfortable on stage.
GoGirls: Are you planning a tour and if so... where do you plan to take your music?
It has never been a goal of mine to spend a lot of time living out of a suitcase, so I’m rather atypical in that sense. I do perform fairly often in the New England area and will continue to do so in support of my new release.
GoGirls: Tell us something you want the independent music world to know about you.
I was able to successfully make a total life change in my middle fifties onto a musical path, so I hope that any of you out there who might be hesitant to try it because you think that you’re too old will use me as an inspiration to follow your heart.
GoGirls: What can your fans expect at a show?
A performance by Linq is an electric-folk/rebellion-rock experience. They can expect an edgy collection of stories and songs drawn from personal experience and issues of social justice.
GoGirls: On gogirls music...
My GoGirls membership has provided me with networking, educational, and performing opportunities, contacts within and exposure to the music industry, and support when needed. Now how cool is that???
More about Linq at http://www.linqmusic.com.
In addition to being the Founder, and Editor of CoffeeHouseTour.com, Annette Warner is a freelance sales Copywriter and Web Resource Developer with her own business; Awesome Webs. She also enjoys duties as a part time event planner and booking and music entertainment manager for several local festivals. She holds the position of Editor with the oldest and largest online community for Women in Music, http://www.gogirlsmusic.com/ and is the SC and NC Chapter Coordinator for the organization. She organizes and promotes the Wilmington, NC based and successful AWEsome 'Live Performance' Songwriting Competition now in it's 11th year. She is the owner of A. Warner Entertainment, a Live Entertainment Publicity Planning Agency. In short..."Some serious A'netteworking since 1995." Annette resides in Wilmington, NC with her tiny Chihuahuas, Kirby and Sofe. You can reach Annette at Awarner at coffeehousetour dot com.
Labels: gogirls interview, Linq