Daily Inspiration: Meet Lina Luangrath

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lina Luangrath.

Hi Lina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in a refugee camp in Chonburi, Thailand in 1989. My family fled from Laos, by boat, across the Mekong River to Thailand to escape a war-torn, communist country. Shortly after I was born, we were sponsored by a family through a Catholic organization to fly to Chicago, IL to reunite with some of my relatives who successfully escaped in the 70s. After moving around Chicago and its surrounding cities for a few years, we finally settled in Rockford, IL – a small town 2 hours west of Chicago. I lived there for 12 years – building my foundation in music and strengthening the core values of who I am today – a humble yet FIERCE, spiritually woke, Laotian American woman, sanger and artíst. I’ve been singing and performing since the age of seven at various local events around town – singing covers of R&B, Gospel, Soul, Country, Pop, Lao and Thai artists. In high school, I began touring around the U.S. with ELao Entertainment. The first city I sang in, outside of my hometown, was San Diego, CA. I always knew that I wanted to come back to southern CA once I was old enough to travel on my own.

In 2008, I got a scholarship to the music program at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, IA where I studied opera, classical and fine arts music. After college, I decided to be a freelance vocalist and performer. Whilst doing so, I was invited by Catzie Vilayphonh – founder of Laos in the House in Philadelphia to sing at an event called “Voices from Four Decades of the Lao Diaspora”. While on the east coast, I also got the opportunity to perform at a fundraising event hosted by Legacies of War – an organization whose “mission is to raise awareness about the history of the Vietnam War-era bombing in Laos and advocate for the clearance of unexploded bombs, to provide space for healing the wounds of war, and to create greater hope for a future of peace”. After moving around for nearly ten years, I finally settled in my current city – Glendale, CA where I am still singing, writing, and performing.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As far as landing opportunities to sing, that came easily. It was as if the universe purposefully and consistently booked each event for me – school performance solos, touring with the church worship group, weddings, graduation parties, local sports games, Laotian temple events, national concerts, etc. etc., one thing after another. HOWEVER, for the majority of my career as a singer, I had SEVERE stage fright. I would dread every performance – trying to think of any and every excuse to cancel, even up to the last minute. I never did, though, and I’m not sure if I can even take credit for pushing myself to do those performances. It was as if the universe was whispering to me – “Just do it. Have faith that this will all make sense.” The attention that came with the career also was an issue. Although I felt loved, there was a lack of privacy. I couldn’t live my life organically or make any mistakes (at a time when I should be making all of my mistakes!) because I was fearful of judgment and disappointment. I have this innate yearning to be a positive role model for my followers – especially the young girls who look up to me, and the last thing I want is to lead them astray. Now, I am less worried about disappointing others and more focused on telling my truth. That’s more important.

Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I am an artist, a professional singer, songwriter, and performer. I’ve decided that my music cannot be categorized because I have deep influences in many genres. However, I resonate most with soul music. No matter what art I put out, you will find glimpses of soulful vocalization. I’ve been so fortunate to have done many Epic things in music, but my proudest moment was being a part of the soundtrack for Kulap Vilaysack’s Documentary titled “Origin Story” on Amazon Prime. Throughout the documentary, you can hear my vocalizations in the background music and ending credits. I got to work with composers such as Steve Jablonsky, Michael Cassady, Lori Castro, and musicians such as Emeen Zarookian and Tony Thornton. What sets me apart? That’s a funny question to me because all my life, I’ve been trying to blend in with others. I was never American enough, Laotian enough, girly enough, rich enough, poor enough, light enough, dark enough, Midwest enough, LA enough.

The truth is – I come from the third world but I live in the first world. Not many people have the perspective of both and everything in between. I used to think that my inability to fit in was a curse. Now, I see it as a blessing. I am able to travel between two worlds, resonate with people who are happy with making $10 a day to feed their families for the week and people who get upset when they didn’t receive their holiday bonuses. I can empathize with those who lost their loved ones during the escape from war and those who quit their jobs to go backpacking throughout Europe. All of the perspectives I’ve gained from meeting different people throughout my journey in life is what sets me apart from others. And it transcends to my vocalizations, my music, and my art. I am a seasoned vet, but I am also up next.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I moved to LA for the sole purpose of connecting and collaborating with other artists so I love this question! I am always open to writing songs with other artists and musicians or being a part of any project that involves music and a message. I realize my lane is not the popular route. I am for the misfits, the trendsetters and not the followers, the out-of-the-box thinkers. The people who really REALLY think about their art and the energy they put into it. The people who rarely get recognition for their efforts. I welcome you! I know you’re out there, and I pray we find each other. Let’s make magic. I am easily reached through social media and email since I manage myself. The best way to support me and my future endeavors is to donate $10 a day to my cashapp @LinaLuangrath (HAHA). But seriously, if you can stream my music, follow, and share my art, that would be enough to fuel me on this musical journey!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Linavmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linavmusic/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/linavmusic/
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC7rp2KtVfVYUKEkzaJc82rA
• Other: https://linktr.ee/Linavmusic

Image Credits
Gettyimages Saengthong Douangdara