Page 57 - ION Indie Magazine JulyAug 2023

I had to religiously do strict vocal exercises every hour, and I had to study vocal technique to keep
my vocal cords healthy for post recovery. During that ‘silence’ year, I immersed myself in studying
Jazz theory, exploring albums from various genres, learning to play the bass, and writing songs.

Now, fast forward to today -- vocal nodules are totally gone, and I can sing for hours and hours! I
perform show after show, night after night, chasing my dreams with my band. This whole experience
taught me a powerful lesson: nobody knows me better than myself. When I want something badly
and I'm willing to pay the price, I can achieve it. I'm grateful to my teacher for teaching me this
profound life lesson.

MW: One of your bass guitars is called
‘Burnie’. Can you tell us about that?

Lina: Burnie is so awesome! A few years ago, I
bought a shiny, red, short scale bass (I have
small hands) but felt no connection. It was just
like every other one in store. I really wanted to
make it my own! So, one sunny British
summer’s day, I set it on fire! Some may call it
terrible or ungrateful, and they might be right.
But sometimes, you have to break the rules to
make something truly extraordinary. Chaos
followed -- twisted neck, melted paint, stinky
burning smell. But love knows no bounds. Lee
and I nursed it back to life! Finally, the moment
arrived. Nervously, I plugged in the resurrected
bass, hoping for the best…and boom! The
sound that emerged was pure magic. I swear,
birds started chirping and unicorns galloped in
the distance. Burnie lives! From that day on, my
bass became more than an instrument.
‘Burnie’, as I fondly named it, became my
partner in crime, my muse with a rebellious
spirit. Burnie's mischievous energy and
infectious charm lit up stages, winning hearts,
and melting faces. Sometimes, the most
extraordinary journeys begin when you dare to
take a leap, embrace the unexpected, and
challenge the norm.