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The album is out. What have you been doing?
Lina- Doing
shows, listening parties, events and you know still
recording. Every chance I get I'm recording.
I visit your website often I was surprised to notice
that one of my reviews was posted in the submit your
review section. I was like wow they picked me. I noticed
that the fan of the month was chosen because they started
the Free Lina petition. I wasn't familiar with that,
what was that all about?
Lina- I heard about
the Free Lina petition from a guy I did a interview
with. I think he started it. His name is uhh…I think
the magazine is called Mamaz and I think he started
the petition. I didn't get to see it but I heard about
it from him and my manager told me about it.
It was a petition to get the label to release the
album?
Lina- Yes.
So your first album came out in 2002?
Lina- Uh huh.
So in between 2002 and now what have you been doing?
Lina- I've been
in the studio recording. I have a record label I started
and I released a compilation. Also I do movie soundtracks.
I did that before I got signed. Writing for these artists
and developing artists. Launching my label that's what
I have been doing in between and a lot of shows-from
the UK to the Bay.
I wanted to ask about your style. Its so unique.
I kind of get this feeling that you were influenced
by the 30's and the 40's style?
Lina- Yep. That's
where I 'm at. That's my era. I don't know why I'm attracted
to it. It gives me chills. I love it and it was the
only music I could listen to for a long time. So I believe
the spirit , The Inner Beauty Movement is all
about the spirit. I believe those people who were in
a different struggle than we are in right now lived
through that music and I'm empathetic enough to connect
with them and feel it. The reason I do music is the
same reason. It was like therapy a way of expressing
yourself back then. It wasn't so much about money but
love and passion about things. The times were different,
people were more passionate.
I know you said you did soundtracks for movies
have you ever considered doing any acting?
Lina- Yeah I did.
I auditioned for the Matrix and I had a few call
backs. Actually, I was doing acting before music. Music
kept finding me. I'm thinking about it now. My agent
is pushing me that way. Now that I am doing music it's
a really hectic schedule.
You also look like you could be a model have you
done any modeling.
Lina- Oh you're
so sweet thank you. That's something I won't do.
Where are you from?
Lina-Dallas, Texas.
I have interviewed a couple of artists from Texas
in the past few months.Slim Thug.
Lina-Oh really.
Have you been there?
Yeah I have been there a few times. My family lives
in Illinois, California and Colorado so we always traveled
a lot. I've been to Texas a few times. It's a beautiful
state.
Lina-I was born
in Colorado. We could be cousins. I have family in California
too.
Being from Texas did you find it harder to break
into the entertainment industry?
Lina-It was people
in New York and LA they think about industry stuff a
lot. Being from Texas you don't really. I was aspiring
to be a journalist. I think because of the mentality
I didn't think about it. I even sang in church at 4.
I wasn't seeking to do music professionally. I moved
to the LA area because my cousin from Texas was there
and he demanded I come here. So I came but my interest
was writing. I've been singing in church my whole life
but my interest was writing. So I think it is harder
because it's not as much opportunity. You have to leave.
Its growing though.
I really enjoy your album. Did you have a lot of
freedom to just go your own direction with the album?
Lina-Yes I did.
The first album I wrote as a creative project not knowing
anyone would ever hear that album. This album I expected
it to be out but nobody told me what to do or how to
do it.
So um you are working on your label now. What's
the name?
Lina-Blue Star Recording
What kind of artists are on your label?
Lina-I have A-Z.
I have an alternative group. A couple of rappers. Female
R&B singer. An alternative guy. He's like vintage soul.
Are there any remixes to any songs on the new album?
Lina-I have some
incredible remixes coming up. I think they went through
a process of getting all the remixes out. I heard a
couple last week. There is one of "Come To Mama" I think
is incredible. I can't wait.
Do you ever get online and check out what the fans
are saying.
Lina-I don't go
online that much. I used to work for property management
and I had to be on the computer a lot. It takes so much
of your time. Sometimes I like to go on there or would
like to but I don't have time like that. I have friends
that will sit at a desk in front of a computer all day
long. So I kind of have a pet peeve about sitting still
like that. I don't go online a lot at all. My email
is probably full, people get mad at me because I don't
hit them back and I even have a Sidekick I never ever
use it.
I know you mentioned being on the computer a lot
but you mention writing do you write freehand?
Lina-I usually dont
write my lyrics even when writing for others. I demo
it first. I can sing. If I dont remember it, it wasn't
powerful enough. I dont write lyrics. I started writing
but never finished it. I turned in lyrics to the label
like once.
 Lina
interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, and Thabiz.com
2005
Visit Dorrie on the web at www.sparkledoll.com.
Dorrie is the webmaster for thabiz.com and the author
of Be My
Sorority Sister-Under Pressure.
May not be reprinted, copied or distributed.
Interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, thabiz.com
June 2005
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