At 82 and still performing weekly, singer-songwriter Linn Lorkin is the definition of a working artist. 

With her signature wit, theatrical flair and genre-hopping musical ability, Lorkin has co-produced 18 albums, performed with several theatre companies, co-founded several bands, toured extensively throughout Aotearoa and Europe and been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to music.

She’s captured four decades of songwriting with the release of 101 Songs: The Linn Lorkin Songbook - a companion to her hit 2022 memoir, The Redhead Gets the Gig. 

A sell-described late bloomer - Lorkin didn't start writing songs until she was 35 years old, on the piano on NZ Music Hall of Famer Mike Nock.  So her advice to her younger self is inspiration to anyone with a creative fire burning inside them - no matter the date on your birth certificate.

You don’t have to please everyone

Trying to make everyone happy comes from insecurity and you will wear yourself out - it’s kind of exhausting.  

Don’t be scared of other people, and worried about what they are thinking about you. Be kind to other people, be yourself, and if someone doesn’t like you, too bad. 

And learn to say no!

Be self-aware

You come from a close loving family, a wonderful childhood, and a very sheltered safe environment, New Zealand!  

It’s a big bad world out there overseas - where you’re about to go - and there are some people who might like to take advantage of your very nice, naive, accommodating Kiwi self. 

So beware of being too gullible and trusting of others. You don’t have to be paranoid, just be aware and take stock of every situation. Think before you accede to a request which might end up with you in jail! ( I speak from bitter experience...)

Before you leap...

...Learn the difference between gut intuition and reckless impulse.

Do one thing everyday that scares you 

Make that difficult call.

Say the thing you’ve been practising in your mind but lack the courage to actually say. It’s like a muscle, this bravery, and you can build that muscle and strengthen it.

Don't take it personal

You’re a hyper-sensitive artistic type. You take everything too much to heart. 

It may feel like the end of the world when you have a crisis but hey, it’s not the end of the world - you’re going to come through it and keep remembering those terrible things will make you stronger.

Practise shutting up about yourself! 

Your natural vivacity means you can easily get carried away with telling people this and that, going into too many details, highways and byways, to the point of garrulousness. 

Listen to what other people have to say. It’s so interesting finding out where people are from and what they’ve done in life, what problems they’re having. 

Bear in mind that most people “lead lives of quiet desperation” and everyone has a story to tell, from the lowliest street sweeper on upwards.  Ask questions, take an interest. Everyone loves a good listener and it’s a gift to the person you’re listening to.

Develop self-discipline

Don’t procrastinate. Make lists and stick to them. Don’t flit from thought to thought - stay focussed on what you’re doing, right now, what you’re holding in your hand.

Look at the cobble stones you’re walking on in Paris or the leaves on the tree you’re walking past. Stop thinking so much, still your mind.  You’ll get a lot more done in your life.  

And learn about the dharma. You can google it.  Oh I forgot - you don’t have internet, you don’t have a cell-phone... good luck!

101 Songs: The Linn Lorkin Songbook is designed for musicians, choirs, vocal groups, theatre-makers, music educators and everyday strummers. Available at Dear Reader (Grey Lynn), The Women’s Bookshop (Ponsonby), Unity Books (Auckland & Wellington), Paradox Books (Devonport) or online at linnlorkin.com.