Interview with Holly Lindin - Part 1 'The Canadian Kate Bush'

MAS: Huge congrats Holly Lindin for taking the first ‘Sing in 30 Seconds’ win and $100 cash prize. Tell us how you got started as a singer and how your recording career began.

HOLLY: I was singing when I was a child - before I even started speaking! The bulk of my childhood found me constantly being creative and expressing myself through music or the written word. When I was eleven years old, I let my parents know that I was definitely going to be a singer and songwriter (and maybe more!) for my lifelong career. At thirteen, I started singing demos for other writers in my area (southern Ontario, Canada) to get my voice out there and, at fourteen, I went to Los Angeles for the first time (first of many!) to record a demo with Arista Records.

MAS: You are incredibly gifted. How did your sound develop and are you the primary song writer or do you collaborate?

HOLLY: Out of the thousands of songs I've written throughout my career, I would say I co-wrote only about fifteen of them. So, yes, I'm the primary songwriter and always have been. I'm a huge loner, and I get my best work done by myself, when I'm left to channel my energy into my work. My sound has gone through SO much to get to where it is now. I worked with Balmur Music in Nashville at sixteen, trying the country thing. Then throughout the seven years (between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five) that I lived off and on in L.A., R&B, house/dance, and pop (and mixtures thereof) were generally what I would write for other singers and record for myself. But when I decided in early 2006 to stop going to L.A. and focus on exactly what I want as a Creator, everything effortlessly came together. No more R&B, pop, or house/dance, as they just weren't me - but the experience that I garnered in California was such a blessing. Instead, I turned to the more ethereal, electronica, experimental, and new age in many ways. I can finally say that I'm currently putting ALL of me in my music now. I couldn't say that years ago.

MAS: What’s the story behind the song you’ve entered in the Make A Star contest?

HOLLY: Well, it's not my song, obviously. :) I don't listen to a lot of North American music (the reality that I’ve learned in L.A. is that the music business is VERY much about status, image, and politics - three things that should have NOTHING to do with music!) - mostly Turkish, Greek, Swedish, and Australian artists - but sometimes, I just want one of those guilty pleasures. Britney Spears would be one of them, and I find that "Out From Under" is one of the prettiest, most heartfelt songs of her whole career. It has beautiful chords and, with the limited vocal ability she has, I find her voice is quite gorgeous in it.


Click this link to listen to Holly Lindin sing "Out From Under" on MakeAStar.com


MAS: How does MakeAStar.com compare with other websites for music fans and musicians?

HOLLY: To be honest, I'm not sure. I don't quite follow other music websites - I tend to keep to myself (both musically and outside of music :)). But my duo (Ophir) partner mentioned it to me, I checked it out, and I looked forward to joining! Really, any site that takes the artist into consideration, trying to help get an artist's words and voice out there, is fabulous.

MAS: Which musical influences have other people compared you to?

HOLLY: I've heard many throughout my career (Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Tina Arena, etc.), but the one that really hit a chord with me (see what I did there? ;)) was so beautifully messaged to me on MySpace a few months ago. Someone had listened to my newest stuff, the stuff in which I've really been ME, and they commented that I was "the Canadian Kate Bush". This is probably the greatest compliment I'll ever get, as I find her just brilliant. :)

MAS: What sets you apart from other artists in your genre?

HOLLY: I wouldn't pigeon-hole myself to just one genre, so this is a hard question to answer. Although after seeing how things really are behind the proverbial curtain that is L.A. when it comes to the music business, I would have to say that I'm true to myself - no matter what. I don't know many artists who can say that, and that makes me sad.

MAS: Who do you get inspiration from or wish to emulate in music and life?

HOLLY: Hmmm, that's a tough one! Currently, I'm madly in love with Elena Paparizou, a Greek artist (my inspiration for learning Greek!), whose voice only compares to Céline Dion's. She's absolutely amazing - so much rawness and passion in her voice, and she has an incredible range. My inspiration comes from many places otherwise: Hande Yener (the Turkish Madonna, but much, much better, I would say. :)), Tina Arena, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, and definitely my sister Candy Dinsmore and my partner of Ophir Matthew DeMeritt.

Part 2 coming soon!