Psycho analysis:
Linka Moja’s excellent new single Psycho is out now
LINKA MOJA
The indie rock singer-songwriter from Lake Tahoe muses on her love for raw lyricism, creating a label with her dad and how a break-up led to a life-changing surprise encounter with Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder...
You wrote your new single Psycho years ago, before becoming ‘Linka Moja’ the artist – what made you release it now? “With my career, it’s been hard to get the funds to record and the confidence to drop something – I’ve been trying to find my voice and be true to my artistry. I wrote Psycho in college, before I had anyone else’s expectations on me, so it feels very representative of who I am; I wasn’t even thinking about ‘Linka Moja’. Feeling confident in this industry is hard and I get imposter syndrome. But I have something to say, I’ve improved a lot, and for me it’s about the energy I have, so I hold onto that. The feedback I’m getting now is just making me believe in it more and more, and I’m excited to keep evolving!”
What inspired you to first start writing music? “I started music when I was young, like 10, with classical piano, but I hated it – I don’t think it’s always a great way to get kids into music because it’s so strict and structured. So I took a break, from about 12 to 16, then I started to teach myself guitar. I always felt like I wasn’t good enough at music; I was in the school band and I felt like everyone else was more technically skilled than me so I didn’t want to be in the spotlight, even though it was still a beautiful experience in many ways. But after high school, I realised I really liked writing. Music has always been about the message and lyrics for me; I love language. That’s how I reconnected with it; for me it’s like poetry.”
You were discovered by Eddie Vedder at a surf camp a few years ago. How did that moment come about? “I wasn’t going to go to the camp originally because my boyfriend was coming to visit, but we broke up, so I was like, ‘OK, I’ll go!’ I didn’t know Eddie was there or what he looked like, but this one night he was playing and when he took a break, I went up and said, ‘Hey, I can fill in while you get a beer or whatever.’ He was like, ‘Sure...’ [Laughs] So I went up, played songs I’d just written about my break-up, really raw stuff, and I guess it made a good impression! He then came up and played my favourite Pixies song, Where Is My Mind? with me and in the morning said, ‘I want to introduce myself properly, I’m Eddie, I think you have something.’ Meeting him [and his team] was serendipitous and ever since, they’ve been my fairy godmothers.”
You recently supported Roger Daltrey, too. How was that? “Amazing, my favourite show on this tour was definitely the London Palladium. We sounded angelic because the sound guys were just incredible, and it is such a historic venue. My family were also there and I really felt their energy, it was just such a surreal moment.”
Finally, you’ve been releasing your music under the mystery indie label Eagle Records. What can you tell us about that? “It’s so funny, Eagle Records is my dad. He gave me some money for my music, so I said to him, ‘This makes you my record label, doesn’t it?’ So we made up a name and put the music up. I’ve been thinking about label service providers and getting funds from people who like my music; it’s all been very independent. I would consider a major if I had creative control, but whatever I do, I just want to be supported by people who respect artists rather than just wanting to profit.”
KEY RELEASE: Psycho MANAGEMENT: Mark Smith
musicweek.com LABEL: Eagle Records INSTAGRAM: @
linka.moja Music Week | 25
confident in this industry is hard, but I have something to say – so I hold onto that”
Linka Moja “Feeling
INTERVIEW: Miranda Bardsley PHOTO: Steve Curley
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