From American Songwriter · Paige Gawley · · 1m 20s
Linda Perry's Documentary and Album
Linda Perry reveals how honesty shaped her documentary and album after mother's death.
In brief
Linda Perry reveals how honesty shaped her documentary and album after mother's death. Linda Perry created a documentary and album about her abusive mother after her death, channeling raw emotions into music. Originally reported by American Songwriter.
Linda Perry's Documentary
Linda Perry released a documentary film and companion album titled Let It Die Here after her mother's death.
“It wasn’t intentional. It wasn’t a plan to do that.”
Honesty as Creative Goal
Perry said she needed truth in her life and would give it because she was lied to so much.
“I don’t know how to be any other way. I’ve been lied to so much in my life… I just grew up going, ‘I need truth in my life. I need honesty.’”
Raw Emotional Breakdown
Perry had a major breakdown in the film but didn’t want to remove it when she saw the first cut.
“I was, literally, like, ‘Oh my God.’ I was in shock… The film is over.”
Scene Removal Request
Perry asked to remove viewers from the film, keeping only Christina Aguilera, Dolly Parton, Brandi Carlile, and Aubin Crowell.
“Please just get rid of those people. Keep Christina [Aguilera], Dolly [Parton], and Brandi [Carlile]. That’s all we need.”
Musical Process
Perry worked on music, hard on herself, losing emotion until she started the film.
“I’m like, ‘This is not good enough, or blah, blah, blah.’ And then I lose total emotion, because I can’t connect to myself.”
Album Creation
Perry wrote the album alone, finishing in four hours after a jam session with her band.
“I automatically have this whole arrangement in my head. I could hear it clearly… I’m writing things down, but I’m just on the fly.”
Song About Mother
Perry wrote 'What Lives With You' about her abusive mother, a song that surprised her with its beauty.
“Once I understood that song I knew I was not going to come from anger. I was surprised by that song, because I was angry… I love her, but I was angry.”
Album Completion
Perry completed the album alone, using all her skills as producer, engineer, and artist.
“I got through it. I was so proud of myself, because it was a lot, because I have everything and the kitchen sink in that frigging record.”
The one thing
Linda Perry created a documentary and album about her abusive mother after her death, channeling raw emotions into music.
