Up-and-coming singer Linnea Sanazaro left the small town life to follow her dreams. She debuted a single, "Move With It," that landed her in the Top 10 of Billboard's dance chart. Her new single "I'm Bad" is out now via Tommy Boy and is already making a big splash.
She heads to Spin Nightclub to perform this week on Halloween night.
Jerry Nunn: Hello, Linnea. Where in the world are you?
Linnea: I'm in Nashville. I am performing at Play Nightclub down there. I did Play once before over Pride weekend one summer. It was fun so I am excited to go back.
JN: I was just there two weeks ago. You are originally from Missouri?
Linnea: I am; go Cardinals!
JN: You are from Cuba?
Linnea: Cuba, Missouri. People always say I speak good English with being from Cuba! [laughs] One part of my family is Italian and one part is Irish.
JN: You then moved to LA from Missouri?
Linnea: I did. I moved when I was 19.
JN: Did you always want to be a singer?
Linnea: Yup. There was not any other thought in my mind other than this possibility. I was always performing growing up and actually started out dancing. I was obsessed with Britney Spears and all I wanted to do was what Britney did.
I was a chubby kid and I thought I could never be pretty or skinny because I thought that is what it took to be in the music business. I changed my mind and decided to make it happen whatever it takes. I worked from there.
JN: Are you going to see Britney perform in Vegas?
Linnea: Absolutely. I am not sure when but at some point I will be there.
JN: Your new single "I'm Bad" just was released?
Linnea: Yes just last week.
JN: The goal is to have an album in the future?
Linnea: Yes, that is the goal. We are working on the next single right now and we are seeing where that goes. We just released the video for "I'm Bad" and it is doing really well. We are working towards an album, I just don't know when that will take place.
JN: You worked with choreographer and director Mikey Minden who has molded Usher, Pink, and Pussycat Dolls in the past.
Linnea: Yeah, he's great. We met in 2010 through one of his dancer friends. We hit it off and made a video together. I had the single "Move With It" already and wanted to make a video. We collaborated on that. We developed a close friendship outside of work afterwards.
JN: Have you been to Chicago before?
Linnea: I haven't been there since the 5th grade on a train trip for school. I am excited to see it through my adult eyes. I have a cousin that lives there to see. I hope it is a fun city on Halloween!
JN: It will be. There is a huge Halloween parade outside of the club where you will be performing.
Linnea: If it is anything like West Hollywood's parade then it will be crazy. You can't drive around there. I have been there for five years now and it is just nuts on Halloween.
JN: We can meet at the club and I know some drag queens that will want pictures with you so dress fierce.
Linnea: Good. I love drag queens. One of my favorite movies as a child was Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar!
Linnea sings at Spin, 800 W. Belmont Ave., October 31. For more on Linnea, visit www.linneaonline.com .
