Based in Katoomba NSW, Linda Mizzi blends folk, jazz, and blues - along with life experience - into her own unique style which can be heard on her latest album, Real People (May 2018). Here, she answers her Essential 8 where she talks Patti Griffin and Rickie Lee Jones, shares the story behind her album's title, and much more.
Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? I have a few actually, but I would have to say Patty Griffin. Her writing is so very honest – it’s almost divine. I’m lyric driven and love listening to wordsmiths who can also write and sing melodies that are so unique – the ones that leave you pondering “where did that come from?” She just continues to do what she does. She has hits and then she just has great, great, songs. Is there a story behind your album’s title? Absolutely. ‘Real People’ is my tribute to the people around me who are forthright in who they are, how they say it – the big hearted ones who are comfortable in their own skin – despite where they come from. Real struggles, real love, real life. I despise liars, false and bitter people who belittle others - pretending to be someone or something they are not. Particularly the holier than thou people – the ‘Sunday hypocrites’. Where do you draw inspiration from when writing? As expressed - Real life experiences. Stories from others – and the emotion that goes along with it. There is a song on my album that I wrote in the back smokers den at a pub one evening – listening to a story of a friend over a drink - and jotting ideas on a coaster. I still have that coaster. It’s special to me.
What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?
“Music is vast - a mysterious but beautiful expression of spirit and connection that you do very well - and they are your life songs, your babies….” What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out? Humility - and to go and watch others and learn, learn and keep on learning. What has been your biggest struggle so far? Fitting into a genre. I just write the way I write. I am influenced by so many artists, old and new - but it seems you have to have a package of sorts, an identity. I’m not sure if I’m comfortable settling for one style. I’m unsure if this is a weakness or not. What has been your biggest success? Doing what I do. Just being able to do what I do as a songwriter - and still have a happy balance of all that I love. I hope it will continue forever. Who would you love to collaborate with? A lot of them have passed. But if we are talking about now - I would have to say Rickie Lee Jones. I find her extraordinary. Especially her songwriting and her lyrics. I mean who writes like that? Website
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