While Linda's music is best known for its lyrical and melodic novelty, it has
been compared to that of Tracy Chapman, Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin,
Natalie Merchant and Joan Armatrading. And, while priding herself on the
originality she imbues in her work, Linda is a music
nut who listens to a wide range of artists and musical genres,
opening herself to all of the ideas she encounters in her auditory adventures.
To get a better understanding of what lies behind the art, music, and peformance of Linda M. Smith we thought it would be interesting to let you in on some of the primary musical influences and more general artistic influences which have impacted her life and music.
Linda's first big musical influences were Carol King and Carly Simon because both were female singer songwriters of which there were few when she was growing up in the 70's. They both played piano,and she totally related to both of them lyrically.
"I especially relate to Carol's straight-forwardness", she says, noting that, "It comes through in her lyrics, her arrangements. She is telling me something. I've found this same quality in all the songwriters I admire: James Taylor, Bruce Cockburn, Elton John. They all have this ability to speak directly to people. And, in doing so, have spoken to me."
Of the newer artists Linda enjoys, Shawn Colvin is right at the top. "She has such amazing structure in her songs. The classical arrangements she uses make her songs instantly memorable. I strive to give people this same immediate relation to a song that Shawn creates so effortlessly."
Bruce Hornsby has had a tremendous impact on her piano playing, and, as for production influences she claims it's the Brits who have guided the sound of her recordings. "British production has always seemed one step ahead; Sting, The Beatles, Seal, all of it. What they do to songs in the studio is amazing."
Musical tastes and influences aside, personal experiences are actually what have the bigger influence on Linda's music. "Life, and the everyday are what really drive my music. Not what's hot in music or what scene is in vogue. I think artists always have to be listening to their peers. That's only respectful. But my music has to be about something other than the trend; something more deed from my job as a performer and career musician. I used to flee from this but now accept it and use it to my advantage."
