Check out our interview with up and coming singer, songwriter and pianist Lina Mapes.
Lina’s soulful and enchanting sound stems from her musical inspirations including Amy Winehouse, Lana Del Ray, Dermot Kennedy and Billy Joel. This New York born artist, who has called Texas her home since the age of two, has dreams of someday being thought of in the same groups and the people she idolizes.
Lina’s debut single “Off Guard” is out now. She spends hours a week songwriting, producing, playing piano, and performing and says she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Off guard is about what it felt like to be caught off guard when someone I really loved and counted on committed suicide” Lina says.
Follow Lina @iamjustlinaofficial
Describe yourself in 3 words?
I’d describe myself in three words as: passionate, optimistic and vivacious!
We’re sure you’ve been asked this a million times but how did you get into music?
When I was around 11 I was attending an acting summer camp. Anyway, after my mom dropped me off I let the people there know that I didn’t want to act but that I wanted to sing and make a music video! It was a camp for both so they accepted my change. I was the only one unprepared and didn’t know that I had needed to record vocals in advance. They brought in an amazing vocal coach who had me record in the bathroom! She said wow you can sing, but you can’t really sing and that was the start. I’ve never stopped or looked back from that day!
Who influenced me and why did I choose to make music?
My family always laughs and says that I was singing before I was talking, honestly, I think that it’s TRUE!!!! I LOVE words! I love to read and write and specifically I really enjoy writing my own lyrics! I enjoy connecting with others through music and believe that many enjoy my honesty and relatability. I guess there wasn’t one person who influenced me to perform. I just met the right people at the right time and something clicked in my mind. It feels right when I do music, feels like home.
Do I play an instrument?
Yes, I play the piano and am trying to learn the acoustic guitar.
Do I ever get nervous?
OF COURSE I get nervous! The thing is that I think some level of nervousness is good, it keeps me alert and extra focused. The hard thing is to find the balance of just being nervous enough to do my best and not so nervous that it hinders my performance!
Tell us about your new single Off Guard and the story behind the song
I wrote Off Guard at the start of the year. We suffered a true tragedy that left my family and I feeling distraught when we lost my Uncle to suicide. We were caught Off Guard, as many in our situation are and so I put my emotions into words and wrote the song. It has been a very difficult and emotional year, writing this song has helped me to deal with those thoughts, feelings and emotions. I also recognized that in light of Covid-19 that there are many people who are finding themselves caught Off Guard this year. I hoped that my song would let others know that they aren’t alone and that there are others who are experiencing the same and similar hard times. I always strive to spread love and happiness to everyone, I want everyone to know that they are not alone and that there is always someone there for you if you need them.
Did I have plans/concerts planned and cancelled because of COVID? If so, did I have any online concerts or interactions with my fans.
This has been a truly challenging year for everyone but for musicians it’s been terrible! I’ve had the ability to work with truly talented musicians who have been unable to work because of COVID and seen the evere impact. I haven’t been able to perform as often this year and it’s been miserable. I was fortunate to be able to participate in an online showcase as part of Pogue Entertainment Group in August and it streamed live. It was AMAZING and I realized how much I missed performing and being with fellow musicians. We are in the process of having individual videos of the songs from my set produced and I will be releasing them on my social media platforms in the immediate future! I am participating in another live performance the beginning of October and am extremely grateful for the opportunity!
What project is still on your bucket list
One of the things my bucket list for is music is to tour through Europe! I love traveling, even though planes TERRIFY me, and I’ve never gotten to see Europe. I wasn to visit all the little nooks and crannies of each country and be able to perform what I love while doing so.
What is fun and rewarding about what I do and what is not?
Connecting with people, allowing others to share in my emotions and in return sharing theirs with them is very rewarding! Not being able to perform Live, with others physically there, is a challenge for me! I feel very fortunate and don’t find anything I do with music unrewarding. It can be hard work and challenging but most of the best things in life are!
What’s next for Lina Mapes in the last months of 2020.
ALOT!!!! I am constantly writing. I have 5 songs that I’ve written and are beginning production in the near future. I have submitted a song that is being considered for a film that’s already announced on IMDR and I am SUPER excited about that!! And I have a live performance in October that I’m so excited for!!
What is your favorite song and why?
That’s such a hard question! I love so many songs but one of my favorites right now is Crazy by Daniela Andrade, it’s an amazing cover and I really love it! But I have different songs for each mood, whenever I’m feeling down I usually listen to Last Friday Night by Katy Perry, or anything by PINK always gets me hyped!!
Any loves other than music
Books!!
If you could meet someone living or dead who would it be and why?
I would love to meet Stan Lee! I don’t really know why but he was so creative and imaginative I thinkI would have really loved getting a chance to have met him!
Best advice ever given?
Don’t try to be the next someone, be the first you. Because you are special.
How’s a typical day in your life?
Pre or during the middle of quarantine? Before quarantine hit I would go to school most days, daydreaming about either the book I was reading, I REALLY am OBSESSED, or what music thing I’d be doing that day. Then I would go home or go straight to my lessons normally taking me down in Dallas for 5 to 6 nights a week. Right now though I am taking classes from home but I still have all those outside classes in Dallas with my group @PogueEntertainmentGroup but we are virtual! It’s been nice though having some time to get back to myself and write more!
Name one of your strengths?
I make an AMAZING cheesecake, and I like to think I’m a pretty good writer. I’ve written several short stories and more originals than I can name off the top of my head!
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Sleeping in until I wake up naturally, it being a perfectly 72 degrees outside in mid fall, and going on a bike ride. Then coming home and eating waffles, and starting to work on my writing. I normally take Sunday as an off day though so I finish up my homework and watch some TV and Movies with my family.
What is your favorite song to belt out in the car or karaoke?
Favorite song in the car is either Last Friday Night by Katy Perry and U & UR Hand or Glass by PINK!
What is your own definition of happiness?
My definition of happiness is being ok with yourself and with the life around you. It’s knowing that when you wake up there will be some calmness in your life. That you have a light in your life that gives you joy and the ability to smile, and to love somebody else, as well.
Do you support any charities?
I support many charities but I am actually looking to start sponsoring one for Suicide Prevention, after what has happened this past year, through my personal life and the situation of the world, I feel that people need to know there is someone there for them, and so many organizations do just that.
What is your favorite healthy food?
BELL PEPPERS!!! I love them!!
And your favorite cheat food?
Candy of ANY KIND!!!! And I wouldn’t mind a piece of cheesecake 😉
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
If someone is really rude to the wait staff or other people around us when we’re out, or tries to order for me.
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
Still doing my music, writing, singing, hopefully performing a lot and in a LIVE setting! And maybe getting to travel while performing my music.
How would you describe your fashion style?
That’s actually something I really struggle with! It’s definitely not my strong suit but thankfully I have family, friends and professional guidance to assist!
What do you think of Social media?
Social media is so important. It allows me to connect with others, especially my fans, everywhere around the world! It truly is invaluable and has totally changed our ability to connect and share our lives with each other!
Where can we follow you?
@iamjustlinaofficial and @LinaMapes on Spotify!
Quote: “One small crack does not mean that you are broken. It means that you were put to the test and you didn’t fall apart.” – Linda Poindexter
Movie: Mamma Mia
Travel Destination: New Zealand
SportsTeam: Chicago Bears
