Notes from Vivace Features: NFV Song Spotlight: LINNEA's Tough Luck

I'll occasionally head out to The Fable to catch a Ryan Pollie hosted Tuesday night. Sometimes I go out to The Fable because I know a band that he booked such as Janelane. Other times I'll go there even though I don't know a single person or band on the bill. That was the case when I went out on a recent December night. First up was LINNEA (Linnea Delaney Johansen). It took about 5 seconds, let's say, to come to the conclusion that I made the right decision to head out on this particular Tuesday night.

LINNEA at The Fable

She discussed that her first music release "Lone Star Motel" has a country feel both in the music and her fashion attire for the song cover (Stetson hate and a bedazzled dress). The song's sound was influenced by the fact that she went to school in Nashville. She mentioned that it isn't her type of sound anymore. I am a fan of Americana-country so I personally loved it and hope she keeps it in her setlist.

Her friends hung out in the booths next to the stage and gave her warm applauses throughout. She mentioned how great it was to play a set in front of friends. She did notice those in the back by the bar who she did not know and gave them a shoutout, as well.

LINNEA at The Fable

What song did I want to highlight here? "Tough Luck." She mentioned that she had a co-writer for the song, "It's fun to write with other people. I feel like that's what I wanted this year. I've always written by myself." She cracked a smile, because maybe she noticed some faces being made by other song-writers in the audience, "I'm being serious when I say that. That's not a joke. It's fun to write with other people."

The song shifts her from Americana-country to a singer-songwriter. Her guitarist did some kick ass pick playing to provide a soft metal melody. Her vocals on the song have a touch of resignation as she tells the story of dealing with work life.

LINNEA at The Fable

Perhaps one of her first bosses provided her with some tough love work advice that made up the chorus of her song:

Tough luck
That sucks
Don't get all choked up

I can imagine those lyrics being inspired by having plans with friends for the evening and her boss putting the kibosh on those plans. You're working your butt off at work and then your boss makes you do the most mundane and definitely not work related duty:

I went to sleep and woke up in a suit and tie

Spend half my life on the freeway
My boss' kids need a flight from New York to LA.

Scheduling your boss' business travel is part of the job, but for his kids? No. Corporate life can suck the life out of you.