Exclusive Interview with LINA LOUKILY

Lina Loukily is an emerging artist captivating listeners with her unique pop sound, earning her a dedicated following of over 300,000 fans and 100,000 streams. Drawing inspiration from Billie Eilish and FINNEAS, she crafts her music from the intimacy of her bedroom, while her sound reflects the influence of icons like Britney Spears and Taylor Swift. Lina also takes production cues from greats like Ryan Tedder and Max Martin, pushing her creative boundaries. Balancing university studies with her passion, Lina is committed to creating music that resonates deeply and leaves a lasting mark on the industry. Check out the exclusive Interview below:

1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?

LINA LOUKILY: I have a moment I’ll never forget because it was the moment I realized I wanted to be an artist—the day I discovered Billie Eilish and FINNEAS. My sister was watching YouTube videos about an artist on TV. I walked in, asked her who the artist was, and she answered, “Billie Eilish.” After that, I spent the whole day listening to her songs, watching her music videos, and diving into everything about her.

I remember it so vividly. While watching the music video for when the party’s over, I paused it and thought, “That’s it. That’s what I want to do in life. Be an artist.” After that revelation, I wrote my first well-structured song, and my journey as an artist began.

2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?

LINA LOUKILY: My musical journey was 99.9% personal exploration. I never took formal music classes—not piano, guitar, or even music theory. Music has always been about feeling—how you feel about certain sounds and lyrics.

3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, what’s the story behind choosing the name ‘LINA LOUKILY’?

LINA LOUKILY: I started writing songs inspired by Billie Eilish, FINNEAS, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, and others.

Lina Loukily is actually my real name. It’s not on my ID card, but it was supposed to be. My great-grandfather changed “Loukily” to another name. In my heart, though, I’m still a Loukily.

4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?

LINA LOUKILY: I think what sets me apart from other artists is my honesty. Not that other artists aren’t honest, but we all express honesty in our own unique way.

My sound is true, rebellious, and, at the same time, confident.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as POP?

LINA LOUKILY: As I mentioned before, my first real inspiration was Billie Eilish. I became such a big fan that, for a year and a half, I only listened to her music. She was my only inspiration, so naturally, the songs I made during that time sounded just like hers. I was 14 and simply copying her style because she was my entire idea of music.

Eventually, I discovered other artists and, over the years, started mixing the things I loved from each of them to create my own identity.

6. Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfillment you’re still seeking?

LINA LOUKILY: I’m always seeking more. I have goals—some have been fulfilled, and others are still far from being achieved. But I’m certain they’ll come true when the time is right.

One of my biggest goals at the moment is to live in LA and eventually become a naturalized American citizen.

7. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, what’s the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?

LINA LOUKILY: It’s insane, but I often come up with really good melodies while cooking. Don’t ask me why!

In general, I usually hum ideas into my phone, then import them into Logic Pro and start producing around them. That’s how it happened with “My Last Life.” Sometimes, though, I start with production first. For example, with “Pretend,” I began with the drums. Other times, I write songs directly on my guitar or piano, from start to finish, and then produce them after creating the full structure.

8. What’s been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?

LINA LOUKILY: My parents not supporting my music. I’m certain that would’ve changed so many things if they had been more supportive of my dream. Thank God I have my sisters.

9. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And let’s talk about your latest release and future plans.

LINA LOUKILY: Releasing My Life Matters was a big achievement for me. This song kind of set the tone for what’s coming next.

All I can say is that I love pop music, and I love old music.

10. Do you think it’s important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

LINA LOUKILY: There are some songs I don’t want people to know the real story behind because I love the idea of each listener interpreting them in their own way. That’s what music is—one piece of art with different meanings, points of view, and perspectives. I love that.

However, when it’s a silly or obvious song, I don’t mind sharing why I wrote it.