Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: Music has always been a big part of my life. My mom was in a gospel choir and would always bring me to their rehearsals, and music was always sung and played in the house I grew up in. One of my earliest memories is of my mom practicing her harmonies to gospel standard “Oh, Happy Day” urging me to sing a long. My parents has always had this massive admiration for music, which I think they passed on to me.
I began singing in a gigging choir at the age of 3, and we did our first tv performance about a year later. I did a short stint on violin before diving into classical guitar, and a few years later began studying at this conservatory-esque music school at the age of 9. From there, it just kind of kept going – I was studying everything from classical, jazz, blues and rock. I just loved it. I started my first band with my best friends – a band named Spiridoula – and we began playing gigs all around Stockholm. We were just so inspired by all these 70s bands that we fell completely in love with, we began writing songs feverishly and were just itching to perform.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Linn Holmes”?
A: I really hope to keep being able to share my music with people and to get to whisk people away into my little vintage daydream even for just a minute. If I can make someones day a just a little bit better or make someone feel a little less alone in the world, I would be so happy.
Currently I am playing shows around Los Angeles and there may be some more exciting releases on the horizon, keep an eye out!
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: Really the musicians around me – friends, collaborators artists, the bands I sing with – they inspire me so much. Seeing their work ethic and how much heart and soul they put into their work really inspires me to try my hardest to do the same. It is amazing in so many ways to be a part of such a fantastic community of creatives. I thank my lucky stars for it every day.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the EP, “Introducing Linn Holmes.”?
A: I like to think of the different songs as different seasons of my life, – each drawing the listener into this little vintage daydream portraying different emotions and specific scenarios that are just a part of what life has to offer. Each song is a little bit like a chapter of my life and I like to think of one complementing each to make create a story!
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Soulful
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Introducing Linn Holmes”?
A: It was definitely a little nerve-racking releasing my first solo pieces and putting them out into world. It becomes very existential – who am I as an artist and what can I contribute? What do I want to say? But I strongly believe the best answer lies within pure honesty and it’s been quite the journey in self-discovery in that sense!
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: I want to take my listeners on a journey and a sort of a little escape from reality – to take them with me in my vintage little daydream. I want people to feel heard and perhaps that my music could make their day even so slightly more joyful, If I could make someone move, smile, or just feel a little bit more as ease – I’d be so thrilled.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Ooh there’s so many! I adore Susan Tedeschi, Bonnie Raitt, Erykah Badu, Brittany Howard, The Lemon Twigs – there’s so many!
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Work hard and really learn your craft to the core, it truly sets the great apart from the good. Always be respectful and listen to the people you work with, but also don’t be afraid to hold your ground and know your worth!
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: To trust that things are going to be good and not to worry. Breathe.
