gt.com: your songs have a 1930s and 40s feel. did you grow up listening to
the artists of this era?
LINA: My mother sang jazz and she played a lot of
Billie Holiday and Sarah Lawrence's music. You know, she played a lot of the standards.
gt.com: pretend we're walking through the record store and stumble across
your album, "Stranger on Earth." why should we buy it?
LINA:
I feel like it's a history lesson -- such a different vocal style, if you're an aspiring
singer. It's where we came from in music and where we are going in the future of music.
gt.com: you're already a hit in
Europe. do you think it will be more challenging to remake that success in the U.S.?
LINA:
I think it shouldn't be-- a lot of the messages that I have in my songs are for my peers
and the sounds in the music are from producers who are connected to what's hot right now.
It's what's going on in music!
gt.com: what's the biggest
struggle you've had to overcome to break into this business?
LINA:
It would have to be accepting myself and who I am and not trying to be another Brandy or
Mariah Carey. Just accepting myself and being original; accepting the fact that I am
different.
gt.com: did management ever
attempt to lead you in a different direction with your look or sound?
LINA:
Yeah, always the safe route and what people would think was best. I always wore flowers in
my hair, but two years ago, I stopped, and I don't think people supported that when I wore
them. Then, it became so trendy and it was like, "I told you!" But, they did try
to make me look more "normal" or whatever. It's been a fight from day one about
who I am.
gt.com: in honor of your
album, when was the last time you felt like a "stranger on earth?"
LINA:
Just yesterday -- I was around a lot of people I'm normally around for a show. I was in a
room with all these people and everyone was conversing about something, and I was kind of
like the one in the corner. I had drifted away in my own head somewhere. You know how that
goes!
gt.com: definitely! craig david is just breaking into the U.S.
market. what was it like touring with him?
LINA: It was great touring with him! I enjoyed his shows and listening to him
sing. There were a lot of girls at the concerts! At first, I was like, "Oh, they're
not going to want to see me!" But, then I realized girl power always works. I talked
to them about an ex-boyfriend, so they could relate.
gt.com: any interesting experiences from that tour?
LINA:
I started my set about how I kicked my boyfriend to the curb, because that's what I was
going through at the time. There was a girl who got backstage and she wanted to talk to me
about how she did the same thing. Then, she started to cry, and told me that today was his
birthday. It felt good to talk to her and say, "Well, just call him and say happy
birthday, but if he's not going to step up, then kick him to the curb!"
gt.com: tell us about the day you heard you were signed to Atlantic
Records.
LINA:
The day I heard, I didn't tell anyone right away, because I had to absorb it. Then, I
called my sister, and she screamed on the telephone! I didn't tell the rest of my family
until a week later.
gt.com: what's your take on the pop phenomenon?
LINA:
From being in the industry now, working behind the scenes, and seeing everything that you
have to go through in order to make a project successful, I give them respect. It's a lot
of hard work, and they are all talented. I think that pop music, no matter what people
call it, like bubblegum or whatever, is always going to have a place in the industry.
gt.com: did you ever meet anyone that was a true inspiration to you?
LINA:
I met Whitney Houston in a hotel in Vegas! People were being really critical about how she
looked. A lot of people were saying she didn't look her best or whatever. And, finally
when I got to see her, she didn't have makeup on. I don't wear makeup when I'm not doing a
photo shoot. Once people see you so beautiful and glamorous all the time, they think
that's how you are all the time. But, she looked comfortable in her down clothes and
jeans, and she didn't have any makeup on -- she looked beautiful! I spoke to her and told
her how much she inspired me. She held a conversation with me: when my record was coming
out, what label I was signed to, and what kind of music I did.
gt.com: you worked with Tyrese on his debut album. How was that
experience?
LINA:
Tyrese is a real serious musician, so he had great work ethics. When I met him, it pretty
much stayed to the music. I'd met him once before in Los Angeles and saw him in the studio
when he was listening to his music. So, when I met him this time, it was the same. He was
indulged in his music, making sure it sounded right and that he represented. It was a real
serious situation.
gt.com: did he give you any advice on the business?
LINA:
No, I think at the time he was pretty new himself!
gt.com: what do you want to say to all your fans out there?
LINA: I want to thank them so much! An MTV producer
told me about this girl from England who set up a fan club in honor of me. I don't know
her name, and we're researching to find her name, but I can't express enough how much it
means to me when people actually get my music. I was insecure about it at first, I thought
it was just something that I had to learn from. I want to say to them to just be yourself,
a hundred percent love you for what you have and what you are, no matter what.
gt.com: what's next for Lina?
LINA: I am auditioning for some movie roles right now. Acting is something I
really wanted to do. Getting the record deal was the next step for me. I love writing
songs for people and poetry.
gt.com: good luck with everything, Lina!
 Lina is a vocal genius! Keep track of her amazing
career at her official website: www.lina-music.com!
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