Mike Shinoda talks about the next era of Linkin Park

Summary

In this interview, the band Linkin Park discusses their journey since the passing of lead singer Chester Bennington. They talk about their decision to continue making music with new vocalist Emily, emphasizing the importance of natural chemistry and the band's evolution. The band shares their experiences with fans, the significance of their new album 'From Zero,' and how they believe Chester would have supported their current direction. They express gratitude for the fans' continued support and look forward to future performances.

Takeaways

• 🎶 The band's reunion wasn't premeditated but evolved organically from the members spending time together and creating music.
• 🌐 They considered various ideas, including a singing competition, but ultimately focused on the natural chemistry within the band.
• 👩‍🎤 The introduction of Emily, a new singer, brought a unique and special dynamic to the band, despite initial uncertainty about how fans would react.
• 🎧 The song 'An Emptyness Machine' was a pivotal moment, where Emily's vocals solidified the band's sound and direction.
• 🤔 The band grappled with the question of whether to change their name or continue as Linkin Park, but Emily's contributions felt authentic to their legacy.
• 🥁 The addition of Colin, a writer and producer, further enriched the band's creative process and sound.
• 🔍 The band's music evolved from a diverse range of styles to a more focused and cohesive album, reflecting the band's identity as it came together.
• 👀 Emily's authenticity and ability to convey raw emotion through her voice were key factors in her successful integration into the band.
• 🎉 The band's first live performance with Emily was met with an overwhelmingly positive response, reaffirming their decision to continue as Linkin Park.
• 📈 The band is committed to delivering a high-quality live show, with significant preparation and production going into their upcoming performances.
• 🕊️ The band hopes that fans can embrace Emily's unique voice while still honoring Chester's memory and contributions to their music.

Q & A

When was the last time the band members sat together before the recent reunion?

The last time the band members sat together was in January of the previous year.

Did the band have a specific moment where they decided to get back together?

No, they did not have a specific moment where they decided to get back together. It was a gradual process that started with the members talking more often and deciding to make music together.

What was the initial approach to creating new music after the band members started talking again?

The initial approach was to just get together and be creative, without any specific plans to form a new band or project.

How did the idea of involving Emily come about?

Emily was invited to sing on some songs, and her vocal performance on 'The Emptiness Machine' was a turning point where the band felt that her voice was a perfect fit for their music.

What was the band's consideration regarding the band name when Emily joined?

The band considered whether they should call themselves a different name or if they needed multiple people playing different roles, but ultimately, they felt that the music with Emily still sounded like Linkin Park.

How did the band members feel about the idea of having a voice competition to find a new singer?

The idea of a voice competition was suggested by some people, but the band members felt it was the opposite of what they wanted to do, as their band is built on natural chemistry.

How did the band's sound evolve during the creation of the new album?

The band started with a variety of music styles, but as they implemented feedback and ideas, the album and the band's identity naturally came into focus.

What was the most significant moment for the band when they realized the new direction was working?

For Mike Shinoda, it was when Emily sang on 'The Emptiness Machine' and it felt like a Linkin Park song, which made them realize they were on the right track.

How did the band members support and advise Emily, who is stepping into a role previously filled by Chester?

The band members have had numerous discussions with Emily about the unique challenges she faces, offering support and advice as they navigate the new dynamic together.

What was the band's reaction to the strong ticket sales for their upcoming show at The Forum?

The band was grateful and surprised by the strong ticket sales, as they were unsure how fans would react to the new lineup and direction.

What does the band hope Chester would think about the current direction and Emily's involvement?

The band believes Chester would be open-minded and supportive of the new direction, as he was never one to be sexist about rock and roll, and they hope fans can connect with Chester's legacy through the music.

Outlines

00:00

🎤 Reflecting on the Return of Linkin Park

The speaker reflects on the last conversation about the band's direction, mentioning that there was never a formal decision to 'get the band back together.' Instead, members began talking and making music informally without the pressure of being 'Linkin Park.' They initially just wanted to be creative, which organically evolved into inviting others like Emily and Colin to collaborate. Over time, it felt special, especially the work with Emily, whose contributions elevated the music to new levels.

05:00

🤔 The Challenge of Replacing Chester

The speaker acknowledges that Chester Bennington's unique voice and presence make it difficult for fans to accept someone new in the band, such as Emily. While Emily is not trying to replace Chester, her voice fits perfectly with the band's sound, bringing a fresh yet familiar dynamic. The speaker emphasizes that both Chester and Emily are one-of-a-kind, and that the band sees this new chapter as an opportunity for Emily to express herself rather than imitate Chester.

10:04

💫 The Evolution of a New Sound

The conversation shifts to the album creation process, discussing how the band started with a variety of musical ideas that spanned different genres. Over time, as the band members provided feedback, the songs started to take shape, helping them define what their new sound and identity would be. The speaker highlights that this process of discovering the band's direction while creating music was surreal but validating, affirming that the right pieces had come together.

15:06

🎶 Emily's Voice and Emotional Authenticity

The speaker praises Emily's voice, explaining how her emotional authenticity makes the songs resonate. Emily's ability to infuse lyrics with raw emotion was something that previous singers in demo recordings couldn’t replicate. The speaker expresses admiration for how Emily taps into the core of the songs, delivering performances that feel honest and visceral, ultimately elevating the music to a new level.

🎸 First Live Performance with Emily

The speaker reflects on their first live performance with Emily, sharing that they were unusually nervous before the show. However, seeing the audience's reactions during the first song, 'The Emptiness Machine,' reassured them that the new music belonged on stage. The connection with the audience was profound, as they embraced the new sound, despite not knowing the songs yet. This moment solidified the feeling that the band was on the right path.

🎟️ Anticipation for the Upcoming Forum Show

With the band's LA show at The Forum quickly approaching, the speaker expresses excitement about the strong reaction from fans during the pre-sale. Despite uncertainties about how the public would receive their new lineup after years of absence, the positive response has been overwhelming. The upcoming performance promises to be a much bigger and more elaborate production compared to their previous live stream, with over two hours of music and extensive preparation.

🌟 Chester’s Legacy and Emily’s Unique Role

The speaker discusses Chester Bennington’s open-mindedness towards music and speculates that he would have supported the idea of a female lead for the band. Chester's lack of bias when it came to rock music and his progressive thinking would have aligned with Emily's role in the band. Interestingly, none of the lyrics had to be changed for Emily to sing, showing how adaptable and timeless the songs are. The speaker encourages fans to let Chester’s spirit come through their voices, while allowing Emily to shine as herself.

😊 Joy and Gratitude After the Performance

The speaker closes by sharing the overwhelming joy and sense of fulfillment they felt after the live performance with Emily. The giddiness and smiles reflected how deeply connected they were with the fans during the show. The speaker appreciates the energy and connection that the new lineup has brought to the band, leaving a hopeful and excited outlook for future performances.

Keywords

💡Chemistry

Chemistry in this context refers to the natural and harmonious interaction between the band members, which is essential for their creative process. It is highlighted as a fundamental aspect that defines the band's identity, as opposed to simply assembling a group of individuals. In the script, the band emphasizes that their collaboration is not forced but rather grows organically, which is evident when they mention that they didn't have a specific moment where they decided to 'get the band back together,' but rather started spending more time together, which evolved into creating music.

💡Creativity

Creativity is central to the band's reunion and new direction. It is depicted as a driving force that led the members to come together and start making music without any preconceived notions of what the outcome should be. The script illustrates this when they mention just 'making some things,' 'making some music,' which evolved over time. This keyword signifies the band's willingness to explore and innovate, as they did not limit themselves to a specific sound or style but allowed their music to develop naturally.

💡Natural Chemistry

Natural chemistry is a recurring theme that underscores the importance of genuine connections and relationships between the band members. It is what they believe sets their band apart and is crucial for the authenticity of their music. The script mentions this concept when discussing how their band is 'built on like natural chemistry in relationships,' which implies that their music is a reflection of their genuine connections and not a contrived collaboration.

💡American Idol

American Idol is mentioned in the script as a contrasting example to the band's approach. They were suggested to hold a competition to find a new singer, similar to the reality show's format. However, the band rejected this idea as it was 'the opposite of what we wanted to do.' This keyword highlights the band's desire to maintain authenticity and their unique group dynamic rather than seeking a commercial or pre-fabricated solution.

💡Collaboration

Collaboration is a key aspect of the band's new journey, as they involve new members and explore different creative avenues. The script describes how they started by making music together and then 'invited some other people in to see how that feels,' which led to the inclusion of Emily and Colin. This keyword signifies the band's openness to new influences and their collective effort to create something fresh while still retaining their identity.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity is a core value for the band, as they aim to create music that is true to themselves and their experiences. It is evident in their rejection of a competition-based approach to find a new singer and their emphasis on the natural chemistry between members. The script reflects this when they discuss how Emily's voice 'Taps into this honest emotion,' which is raw and visceral, and how they want her to be herself rather than trying to replace Chester.

💡Evolution

Evolution in the script refers to the band's development and growth over time, both in terms of their music and their lineup. It is depicted as a natural process that has led them to their current state, with new members and a renewed creative direction. The band discusses how their music and the band's identity became clear as they continued to create, illustrating how evolution is an ongoing and essential part of their journey.

💡Connection

Connection, particularly with their audience, is a significant theme in the script. It is highlighted when the band talks about performing live and the importance of the fans' reactions to their new music. The script mentions how the band members focus on connecting with the audience during live performances, and how the fans' presence is a crucial part of the experience. This keyword underscores the band's desire to maintain a strong bond with their fans as they embark on this new chapter.

💡Chester

Chester, the band's former lead vocalist, is an omnipresent figure in the script, representing the band's history and the fans' emotional connection. His memory is honored, and his influence is acknowledged as the band moves forward. The script discusses how Chester's unique voice and personality cannot be replaced, and how the band wants to allow fans to connect with his memory through their music. This keyword signifies the band's respect for their past and their intention to carry forward Chester's legacy while also creating new music.

💡Emily

Emily is a new member of the band, who brings a fresh perspective and sound to their music. Her inclusion is a significant change for the band, and the script discusses how her voice and style have been integrated into the band's music. The band members express their appreciation for her unique qualities, such as her ability to 'Tap into honest emotion,' and they emphasize the importance of allowing her to be herself rather than trying to fill the role of a previous band member. This keyword represents the band's embrace of change and their commitment to authenticity in their music.

Highlights

The last time the band sat together was in January of the previous year, a moment that feels both long ago and recent.

There was no specific moment of deciding to get the band back together; it was a gradual process.

The band's foundation is built on natural chemistry and relationships, which they consider crucial.

The initial idea was to get together and create music without the pressure of it being Lincoln Park.

The band evolved from spending time together to creating songs and eventually inviting others to join.

Emily, the new singer, was added to the band, and her contributions were described as 'special'.

The band considered changing the band name due to the significant change in sound and lineup.

The song 'An Emptyness Machine' was a turning point, solidifying Emily's role in the band.

The band's dynamic and music naturally came into focus as they worked together.

The band's connection with the audience is a vital part of their performance.

The band's upcoming show at The Forum is a significant milestone after years of work.

The band is grateful for the strong reaction and support from fans despite the changes.

The band's new music is a result of years of work and they are proud that it hasn't leaked.

The band hopes that fans can connect with Emily as herself, not as a replacement for Chester.

Chester was open-minded and would have been supportive of the band's new direction.

The band aims to honor Chester's legacy while allowing Emily to bring her unique voice to the music.

The band is excited for the future and the upcoming performance at The Forum.

Transcripts

the last time that you and I sat was

January of last year which feels like it

was a long time ago and then again it

feels like it was 5 minutes ago in that

moment that you and I sat in the sound

space downstairs you were going to

release lost where was Lincoln Park in

your head where did you stand with this

entire thing that's happening now

basically what what's important to

remember what's important to know here

is that we didn't have like a moment

where we said hey let's get the band

back together we didn't have a moment

where we said let's try out singers

people had suggested stuff like that not

suggested as much as like hey do you is

this an idea that you like like they

they floated things by us one of which

by the way which is my favorite I talk

about this all the time now is like one

person a couple people were like what if

you did like a American Idol voice style

competition and like the winner is like

the singer like that's the opposite of

what we wanted to do or we yeah it's the

opposite of what we felt was like the

right thing because we the our band is

built on like n natural chemistry in

relationships and that's almost it's

just very important I I think that like

probably around the time when that

you're talking about I bet we were Dave

and Joe and I in the very beginning had

started talking more often and we were

just like what if you know what if we

get together and we just like start

making some things like making some

music it doesn't have to be Lincoln Park

we just let's just get together and be

cre creative and have fun and that's

what we did so back then it was more

about like just spending more time

together and then the more time evolved

into songs and the songs evolved into

let's invite some other people in and

see how that feels and eventually we got

to the point where it's

like that that girl

Emily it's the stuff we make with her is

special like I don't know why it's

special it just feels special and even

though the things we've made

are good I bet we I bet we make stuff

that's great with her if we just do it

more often um we also met met

Colin who uh who's playing drums for us

now Colin was a is a writer and producer

that I met in a session like some random

session a few years ago and just

instantly clicked with him and so once

we all once the six of us all started to

get together with Brad and Joe and Dave

it was like

it just slowly came into Focus what

would you say was the most or the next

most significant moment or a turning

point with all of you when this started

to become more of a reality like this

isn't just that we're in a room and we

feel good together and this makes sense

what was the next significant

moment I bet everybody has different

answers to this um I might even have

different answers to it I think for me

the first one that comes to mind

mind

is well I mean there were a couple songs

an emptiness machine is one of them

there was a couple songs where when we

did them in the form that you hear on

the record like when when on empty this

machine for example when we put Emily's

vocal when Emily sang on it the song was

at that point was pretty

written um and so and we had been making

new songs with her from scratch and

we're like oh you know what will you

sing on this one that we've already done

like just learn the words and whatever

and she came in and crushed it and we

were like that's a Lincoln Park s like

you can't listen to that song and say

it's anything else like it was at at

that point too we were like considering

should we call this a different band

name should we do we do we need like one

singer maybe we got like multiple people

like playing different roles and stuff

um and when she was singing on certain

things it it sounded so much like the

band it just for me I was just like that

feels good like I don't know I can't be

logical about it it's an illogical thing

it just feels good I think about her

journey and her experience a lot

especially yesterday because all of you

are going to have a unique experience

but Emily has in a way more eyes on her

and some of them critical some of them

you know she's just doing somebody that

somebody she's just doing something that

somebody else was doing before her so

she's going to be watched in a different

way have you talked to her about that

did you give her any advice and where

did she scared we've all we've all

talked about it yeah with each other and

with her a million times and we're still

talking about it

like I you know I

appreciate one one one difficult thing

that

people are experiencing is just that

they they've heard Lincoln Park for so

long with Chester's voice

and the idea of somebody else being in

that role feels it feels really

different you know

[Music]

um I know that in the context of the

music that's not released yet like I

know that I love it like I think her

voice is incredible and the the best

thing for people who have such a strong

connection to Chester to know just to

know about me is that Chester was a

one-of-a-kind person and a one-of-a-kind

voice and Emily is also a one-of-a kind

person and a one-of a kind voice like

she's not trying to be him she's trying

to be her and it so happens that I think

she singing on these songs sounds like

Lincoln Park let's talk about from zero

because when I heard her saying Mike

yesterday specifically everything you

just said resonates because yes it

sounds like Lincoln Park but I see Emily

you can't not see Emily so let's talk

about from zero and what was the energy

that like quarterbacked that album that

makes it new again a lot of things uh

we we definitely like started with a lot

of

very like a bunch of bunch of music that

was all over the place like it's

different almost like different genres

or something like wasn't not that

extreme but it was the sounds of the

songs were very um disperate like they

were very all over the place and then as

has happened before like I you know I'm

I'm usually in the driver's seat to to a

large degree on the records um I

produced I I have a produ producer

credit on this one we didn't work with

another producer um and the what I was

noticing as we started to like get

everybody's feedback on like what things

they liked what things they didn't like

what things what parts of songs were

their favorite and least favorite um as

we were implementing everybody's ideas

like the the album was naturally coming

into more of a

focus

and the the band became clear at the

same time that the music became clear

that isn't that weird like imagine you

don't you're making an album

but you don't know what the band

is and then as you're making the songs

you go this is the band so strange I

mean it's one of those things that I

think are meant to be if the energy is

right in the room you get to the point

that you're talking about which it it

had to have been so validating for you

to feel that because you're like oh my

God we put the right pieces together

yeah that must have been in on a really

like stupid and straightforward note I

just like the sound of Emily's voice

like that's like such a

simple thing

but

when we had some demos that other people

tried other people sang and they and I'm

talking about like people you don't know

it wasn't like you know

um just to say it's ridiculous it wasn't

like Ariana Grande it was like you know

it's like people you don't know we had

people try we had people sing them and

the the I I felt like the thing that was

missing the thing that was obviously

there when Emily sang it that was

different is that when she sings she

Taps into this honest

emotion in the inflection of her voice

and the presentation and the way she

does it it's raw

it's visceral and it's like honest in a

way that very few people can do and

I like I I really like like I gravitate

towards singers that when I hear it I I

just personally believe them um and she

she can she Taps into things in the

lyrics even if she didn't write a lyric

she Taps into a presentation of it in a

way that I I think makes the song better

we got to see it yesterday finally we

got to see it and you got to experience

it yesterday was the first time I'm

assuming well I think know that you were

all on stage with fans with that the

complete energy in the room so we got to

see it did you have a moment yesterday

uh you had the biggest smile on your

face I know that mik smile that's like

that like the giddy mik smile you were

wearing it yesterday but I'm sure you

were nervous and all the things but did

you have a moment that you looked around

that maybe stood out more than others

well when we first at the beginning of

the set like I was was

like I can't remember being so nervous

well um and I don't get nervous for

shows usually but I was like yeah my

brain was like scrambled eggs and then

getting out there and seeing the fans

and starting the first song which is our

The Emptiness machine the new song uh

that was just

so it was so reaffirming like it was

just like oh this is what this is where

this belongs like this is what I

do like it connected pieces that weren't

connected yet yeah and the fans being

there is a part of the the puzzle that's

so important right like singing it in a

room by myself I can I focus a lot on

like the the craftsmanship of the song

but singing in a room with people I

focus almost completely on like if if I

have rehearsed enough that I'm focusing

completely on my connection with them

yeah and their faces and they like they

couldn't sing along to the song they

don't know the song they're just

listening and to see the look on their

faces as we got into it was really

really I will never forget it was so

special

um I I can't wait like as you know like

we've got a show here in LA on the 11th

at The Forum in just a few days which

the turnaround time is nuts yeah so the

tickets are sell with the tickets went

on sale the tickets go on sale the day

um they're just starting to sell

pre-sale to the fan club right now and

the reaction is like so far so far

really strong I'm I'm you know I we

don't know like we what would we know

like if people want to see this or not

like we've been away for years we've got

a different lineup like I don't know

people would be like I don't you know

care and for them to come back so strong

and affirm in the band is like the

biggest blessing in the world so I'm so

so grateful for that um I also know that

the show we did on the live stream

yesterday was 60 Minutes on a stage that

was designed for that live stream and

the show we're going to do at the Forum

is over two hours and it's different

production so believe me when I tell you

like we've put in so much time and work

into what these things that you're

seeing right now like it's it's years of

work and thank goodness that it didn't

leak

which is unbelievable I'll ask you one

more thing before we wrap it up and just

because I want to include Chester uh if

he could and I know he is in some way

but

if if we know that he's watching what do

you think he would think about all

that's happening right now because I

think he'd be stoked well I appreciate

you saying that

um well like a couple things about about

Chester that I know is

that he was he he would

never

uh like he was an open-minded person

when it came to music he liked he would

like and so the idea that the band being

fronted by a female singer is something

that I feel like he would have come up

with the idea he would have been you

know what I'm saying like he's not he

was never like

like I don't know some some I feel like

there's some some dudes are like sexist

about their rock and roll and we've

never none of us have ever been that way

um funny side note actually funny piece

of trivia we didn't need to change any

lyrics to any of the songs that Emily is

singing because there's no he she

whatever wow it's all relatively

ambiguous so strangely she doesn't ever

have to change a he or she that is

really cool anyway so that's yeah that

just popped in my mind sorry for the

Sidetrack but but yeah to the to your

point like I said something to the fans

last night uh you know that that that my

hope is that Emily can be

Emily and if you if you're feeling like

a connection to Chester when you're

listening to music then then let that

come through you I think he can come

through his his singing can come through

the mouths of the crowd as opposed to

like putting Emily in that weird

position I think I think the best thing

for her to do is her to be herself and

and obviously like we all love what

Chester you know how Chester sang and

and what he meant um to the band so

that's that goes without saying I want

to leave it on that note because I think

what you said I haven't heard anybody

phrase it like this the fans can sing

for Chester's voice or through Chester

and Emily can be Emily and I think

that's where we leave it because this is

a beautiful thing that you're building

on and I'll see you at The Forum but

buddy here we go this is going to be

amazing

awesome man I'm so excited thank you I

know I could see it in your face and

yesterday when I was watching the live

stream like it almost looked like your

cheeks were going to hurt at the end of

the performance because you did smile

big dude and it's nice to see that again

thank you appreciate it welcome all

right I'll see you soon all right see

you soon