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10 Questions with ... Meghan Linsey
March 8, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MeghanLinseyMusic Twitter: www.twitter.com/MeghanLinsey The Voice Page: http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/season-8/meghan-linsey
Meghan Linsey has been described as "powerful," "soulful," and "distinctive," and the Louisiana-native has worked hard to gain those distinctions. With influences like Etta James, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston fused in to her soulful Country style, Linsey is a natural collaborator for "Team Pharrell" on this season NBC-TV's "The Voice," where she nailed her blind audition. Linsey is no rookie to the music business, having navigated the waters of a successful partnership and major label deal as one-half of the duo Steel Magnolia, who also gained fame via a reality competition. After the dissolution of Steel Magnolia in 2013, Linsey worked to find her unique, individual sound and at the end of 2014 released her self-titled EP, which was funded completely via crowdsourcing. Linsey worked the radio tour scene on her own and gained ground with her single "Good Boy Bad" on SiriusXM's The Highway before embarking on her adventure on "The Voice." She can be seen as part of "Team Pharrell" each week on NBC-TV showcasing her power vocals, unique sense of humor and style, and quirky personality.
"Good Boy Bad" was released in 2014; Linsey can currently be seen on NBC-TV's "The Voice," and her blind audition track "Love Hurts" is available on iTunes
1. Growing up in and around New Orleans, you have admitted to being heavily influenced by Jazz and Blues singers. You've also attributed your love of Country to the powerful women of Classic Country. How would you explain your unique musical style, and what legendary artist inspired you most?
The consistency in my musical style is that I am always soulful. I make sure there is an element of soul in everything I do. I've always struggled with finding my place because I love so many different types of music. I try not to think about genre as much as I try to just write and record great songs.
Sam and Dave, Tanya Tucker, Whitney Houston, Al Green, Dolly Parton, Patty Griffin...are just a few artists who have inspired me.
2. Your styling and voice are very distinctive. How did you hone your craft and develop your skill?
I've just been doing it every single day since I realized I could. It's my passion. I know my purpose and I've committed my life to it. I think that's the biggest thing.
3. When you visited the All Access Nashville office, you spoke a bit about co-writing with friends, saying, "I run with good people." Who did you write with for this album, and how did you meet all of these "good people"?
I'm blessed to have amazing people in my life. Julie Moriva is my best friend and wrote a lot of the songs with me. We met 10 years ago when I first moved to town and immediately clicked.
My partner, Tyler Cain is also my producer and co-wrote some of the songs, as well. We met when he was working in the studio, with my good friend James Otto. James also wrote on the EP. Corey Crowder, Heather Morgan, Emily West, Dee Briggs, Britton Cameron...just a group of outstanding humans.
4. Many people know you from your days as the female powerhouse behind Steel Magnolia. How do you think your time in the partnership prepared you for this solo venture?
It was great! I learned a lot. We toured for a few years straight, so I have that under my belt. We did radio and live TV. I think the only way to learn the music business is to do it.
5. Before Steel Magnolia, you had a bit of a reputation in Nashville ... as a karaoke hostess! If you could do a karaoke duet with anyone alive or dead, who would it be and what would you sing?
I'd take Willie Nelson to Santa's Pub and we'd sing "Mama, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys". That would be unreal!
6. You have a great personal style! If we gave you $100, where would you shop and what would you buy?
I'd go straight to TJ-Maxx! Ha! I'm a bargain shopper and you can find some really awesome stuff there for not much money. I'd go straight to the shoes and build around that ;)
7. One of your recent singles features a rap cameo from Bubba Sparxxx. Are you a fan of rap music in general? What would you say is your favorite rap song?
I love all music. Bubba is awesome! My favorite rap is the old school stuff. Tupac was my jam back in the day.
8. You utilized a pledge campaign to help create your recent solo EP. Can you explain how the campaign process worked and the response from your fan base?
It was great! We gave the fans incentives to pledge. I offered a download of my EP, a coffee date, a doggy play date with me and my dogs, a pledgers-only show... stuff like that! I also kept the Pledgers up to date on what was going on in the studio. It was a very positive experience and the fan response blew me away. I have some amazing fans!
9. With your most recent solo project, you worked the circuit without major label support. How is this experience different from working with a major label, as you did with Steel Magnolia?
It's really different. It's very rewarding in some ways and discouraging in others. I feel like the little engine that could. I have a tiny team who is really dedicated to the cause and that is great! When you're an independent artist, every victory is that much sweeter and you learn not to take anything for granted.
The biggest struggle, quite honestly, is lack of funds. It's hard when you're putting every dollar you make back into your career.
10. SiriusXM The Highway has shown you a lot of love. How did that relationship begin?
I became friends with John Marks and his wife Colleen years ago when he was a program director in California. He's just an all around great guy, who loves music. He's given a lot of independent artist a real shot at having their music heard, myself included.
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