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Melody Breyer-Grell pulled up a chair and pulled out some questions for singer-songwriter Lina Koutrakos, who pulls in the crowds at the Iridium. At the club on Broadway and West 51 Street, Lina and her band perform on the third Tuesday of each month, early and late shows, at the venue on Broadway and West 51 Street.
Q: In following your career, it seems like you have never even considered another choice in your life. Is that so?
A: Yes, that is the truth. I remember sharing the bedroom with my sister, with two single beds. Sometimes in fifth grade ---Quantico, Virginia: my father was Navy -- we fantasized about what we wanted to be when we grew up. Sometimes my sister would say: teacher, mother, “Mannix”’ secretary. I would say, "I am so jealous. You can be anything you want to be---I am a singer." Even earlier – three years earlier --- in South Carolina's Low Country, my mother had friend who sang in night clubs who would sing "Bye Bye Blackbird" to me. This woman said [about me], "She is gonna be a movie star." I thought, “What's the matter with her?! I don't like your friend Miriam. She went around telling everyone I was gonna be a movie star when I clearly told her I am a singer!!!"
Q: I think that story in itself shows what separates the pros from the semi-pros. At a young age, it’s not the volume of talent necessarily, but the immortal message from God---a prophecy--undoubtedly to be fulfilled.
A: Yeah, but I am surprised about the rich and famous part. I thought that just came with the path I was born to. But, since that part has eluded me thus far, it has magnificently become about the craft -- the soul, and the music--and that I always have the opportunity to make more of that. On the other hand, I need an audience to support it.
Q: What was your original challenge?
A: It started with friends and my extended "Big Fat Greek Family" --- Just to be clear it remains the challenge --- coming to support me.
Q: Many "cabaret" folks start that way. But, at some point it needs to be separated out of that -- into a situation where people you don't know personally are showing up.
A: There are a bunch of things that contributed to getting my own audience as I went along. I am a good singer -- unique sound, powerful chops--the fat white girl who sang like a black woman -- it attracted people at the beginning. I was a singing waitress in the piano bars, teasing with one or two songs and getting people to come to my concerts. [I worked at] Brandy's,
Q: So you put yourself out, in a way, and you were putting food on the food on the table – literally --- and were able to increase your recognition without a “day job” obscuring it. Was that a lucky break, forethought, or just God's plan?!?
A: I already had a band by 23.
Q: What gave you the cojones to do that right off the bat?
A: I was a rocker; they always have bands. I did not want to be a “cabaret person.” I did not know what it was.
Q: So how did you get involved with the cabaret scene?
A: Three jobs to pay for the band: day receptionist, a cleaner of office buildings at midnight after I sang in comedy clubs and piano bars at night. Everyone was singing Broadway and standards and, while I learned a lot about the music, I was one of the only ones singing contemporary pop, which is the other thing that contributed to getting an audience. I stood out. I won a MAC award for Best Female Vocalist. And then the line between rock and cabaret started to get blurry in a good way. When I could not afford a band, I started to sing in cabaret clubs. As a cabaret singer still today, people say I sing pop --- even if I am singing a standard. When they come to see me fronting my own band today, they tell me that they never hear lyrics with a
Q: Has that limited further recognition in any way – in your opinion -- or has it helped you keep in the picture?
A: It's helped. I fought it for a long time, thinking I had to define myself as one thing so I could get "rich and famous,” but I am good at a handful of things and I am happy doing all of them. Why limit, right?
Q: But, if you had a full touring schedule, would you choose that?
A: Without a doubt. With my band. Because, that way, I could do what I love the most: sing live to people and speak my truth with my original material.
Q: On that track, let's start talking about your truth. You are open about the addictions and the personal abuse you endured. When and how did this start?
A: I believe that I was born an addict.
Q: Explain.
A: Some folks can have too many cocktails on occasion and then put it down without a problem. Addicts can't. I am an addict.
Q: What was different for you?
A: I discovered my core addiction was food after it manifested itself into nearly 300 pounds at 5’2". Even as an egomaniacal diva, it was less about what I looked like than the noise in my head.
Q: Which really means you can’t stop thinking about it, more than the actual actions involved?
A: When can I smoke my next cigarette, where will I get my next drink, and how long ’til I can shove a cheeseburger in my mouth....
Q: But thin people eat…
A: And people who are not alcoholics can enjoy an occasional glass of champagne.
Q: As
A:
Q: It seems that you have found a way to manage it all. You now are sober and thin.
A: Yes. I have given up managing it! For seven years! For me -- as silly as it might sound -- it’s a God thing.
Q: How’s that??
A: I respect that I am an addict and I busy myself with singing and the great things I have in my life and not bitchin' and complaining about what I don't have or what I am not!
Q: You mention abuse.
A: From the psychological and emotional --that happens when we are kids. And a rare case of female sexual abuse from a priest, and a long-term relationship that ended in some pretty dramatic physical abuse.
Q: Was this your "bottom"?
A: No. 9/11. And my biological sister having a little girl. With no kids of my own, she was going to be the child in my life. On 9/11, I would not even have been able to try to run to save my life. That kid -- when she was born, I was not even able to hold her for a while because I did not feel worthy of her pureness.
Q: Has this manifested itself in your music?
A: Absolutely.
Q: Example?
A: In "Here I Am" -- about me just standing there, ready finally for happiness. Also, in "Love Grows Here" and "Family" -- my niece and love. Most of the other songs are about men! Ha!
Q: Having followed your career, it is clear that, even before your evolution, you had things to say of great value, exampled by "Leave a Little Something Behind."
A: Thank you. That song was about my friends and family who died young: my cousin Nick the artist; singer Nancy LaMott; and now, my best friend Dick Gallagher, the pianist, has also passed away. So, I am more committed than ever to do whatever I can with the gifts I got and the joy in my heart to leave whatever I can behind. It’s important.
Q: You landed what seems to be a dream job: a regular slot in the Tuesday night Big Band series at the Iridium --- on Broadway! Is there anything you want to tell your audience about that?
A: Yep, the first grown-up rock and roll band to do a steady gig in the legendary jazz club! I have been able to combine the elegant crafting of the cabaret/storytelling experience with electric guitars: wonderful, musicians creating a powerhouse performance! A rocking good time -- opening it up for audiences from 20 to 75 years old -- all under the roof where Les Paul made his mark by just doing nothing but the magic of live music. Take advantage of the fact that we live in New York City and that live music is still a magnificent option! Hey, you never know what kind of God-given talent you might experience on any day of the week --even an unsuspecting Tuesday!!
For more information, see www.LinaKoutrakos.com and www.IridiumJazzClub
Phone number for reservations: (212)582-2121
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