Here's what people in the Canadian Music Industry are saying about Linda M

"Great lyric driven catchy pop. This is a pleasure to listen to. Sometimes soothing, sometimes catchy, always musically satisfying." Gary Robinson, Emergent Music

"...her songs are imminently catchy and energetic. The only question remaining in my mind is, 'Why isn't she on the radio?" Jim Kelly, Chart Magazine

"...divine and transcendent pop music...the voice and songs of Linda M will carry you to places you've only visited in your dreams." Chris Houston, Retail Marketing Manager Chapters Canada

"...the debut disc is a sonic drop of joy..." Don Ward, The Annex Gleaner

"It's the kind of sweet, sweet pop music you could safely bring home to mom." Kim Hughes, NOW Magazine

"'Not the life I had in mind' sings Linda M...connecting instantly with 99% of us...an adventurous band that knows a thing or two about pacing and rock dynamics. Linda M's songs are intelligent." Jeff Bateman, The Record

Linda M and Girls With Guitars
An Estrogen-Packed Series of Singer/Songwriter Talent
By: Tabassum Siddiqui

Toronto singer-songwriter Linda M. has been purveying her catchy brand of sweet folk-pop on the local indie scene for several years in the band Holly Go Lightly, and now as a solo artist. A songwriting retreat to Nashville recharged the singer's creative energies and sparked the idea for what would become the highly enjoyable monthly 'Girls With Guitars' songwriters circle at venerable folk club C'est What. As host, Linda leads a quartet of local ladies in story and song, as they delve into their tunes, trade quips, and tell a tale or two. It's no secret that Toronto boasts an embarrassment of talented female singer-songwriters, but by bringing some of the bringing some of the very best together on the same bill,

Linda has set the stage for something special. The 'Girls with Guitars' series runs the last Thursday of every month - drop in and marvel at the breadth of talent right in our midst.

IndieVoice's Tabassum Siddiqui caught up with Linda M. to talk about the ideas and inspirations behind her 'Girls With Guitars' series.

TS: What made you decide to start the 'Girls With Guitars' series?

LM: GWG was inspired by my 5 week sojourn in Nashville, TN. I was a part of a very similar series down there during my stay. I went for self- development as a songwriter. I met and played with some amazing writers. In particular, I played with Margaret Findley and Deric Ruttan who has 2 deals with SONY; one publishing deal and another as an artist. They were very keen on my stuff and had me out to their farm where all the magic happens. After all was said and done, I was rather sad about returning home and felt spurred to continue the journey in some way, so I started GWG.

TS: Why C'est What as a venue for the series?

LM: Crispin at C'est What? is so devoted to his club and to new music and he was more that willing to help me build the series. I pitched the idea to him first and also felt that the physical setup of the club was perfect for an intimate writer's night.

TS: How do you come up with the artists for the lineup every month? As host, do you just get to choose whomever you want? ;-)

LM: Often I ask Crispin because he has a huge bank of songwriters and he can feel out who would work well together onstage. Some of the women that participated were handpicked by Linda M, though. I'm keen about meeting new people, too. By far the best lineup was the first which included Lindi, Tamara Williamson, Andrea Florian and myself. The dynamic on stage was electric and the house was packed and listened devotedly to music and banter alike until 1 am when the show wrapped up.

TS: Tamara Williamson made a crack about the 'Girls With Guitars' tag at the very first show, and some people may take issue with it. What do you say to that?

LM: I would say, "Relax! We're just having fun!" All the people that have participated so far have been more than willing to be under the banner of GWG (which incidentally works nicely with the 70's jean thing). Semantics are silly really, and GWG is a catchy alliteration that describes exactly what's happening on stage.

TS: What has the highlight of the series been for you thus far?

LM: The highlight has been connecting with people. Really, I've done so many shows the "regular" way: opening act, middle and headliner. People's crowds come and go as the acts do and there's a greater sense of competition in that format. Often too the other acts split after their set. This way we can all appreciate each other's material and share each other's audiences and get to know each other as people. This means a lot to me.

I have some new FRIENDS now!!!!!!! TS: Has anything come of the series in terms of artists getting to know each other, possibly collaborating, etc.?

LM: Indeed, with myself and with many others. We all trade emails and some of us are setting up tours together.

TS: Toronto seems to be a hotbed of singer-songwriter talent these days, and there are plenty of songwriter showcases happening all over the place. How is 'Girls with Guitars' distinguished from that pack, and why did you decide to have it women-only?

LM: When I returned from Nashville last November with the idea hot in my hand, there weren't many if any writer's circles like it. But indeed since then, they have popped up everywhere. I have been to most of them and the talent they boast is 96% male. Which, believe me I have no problem with, but the all female aspect gives a different edge to it and draws a specific demographic. There's a sense of sisterhood on stage that has inspired many women to write to me after the show and say thanks, or that they want to try out the rusty old guitar they have at home, cause it looked like so much fun on stage at GWG.

TS: How long do you see the 'GWG' series lasting?

LM: Well, at least for the year. Crispin doesn't see an end in sight, yet, I don't think. I really think the series needs to build and as more and more guests come back for repeat performances and we get to know each other's material, the format will evolve from taking turns performing to actually doing stuff together.

TS: What made you decide to go solo recently after several years on the scene in local band Holly Go Lightly?

LM: To quote Richard Flohil (publicist in Canada for over 30 years) after he'd been to my show in May at the ART Bar: "Linda M, you are becoming a veritable SONGWRITER. You should have gone to Nashville years ago!"

I guess the whole search for the ability to find my strength as a solo performer and writer began in Nashville and continues with my new format of pop duo and with GWG. All of these things force me to rely only on myself and my own abilities and my vocal and song stylings. I love it, frankly.

TS: What can we look forward to from Linda M. in the near future? LM: An acoustic EP is due out this summer. The release bash will be at Barcode on College St. on Sat August 11, 2001. Rannie Turingan's photo exhibit will be appearing as well as two other performers TBA (perhaps some of the GWG's!)

Interview by: Tabassum Siddiqui