There are few songwriters in modern music with a catalogue as impactful and diverse as Linda Perry’s. From fronting 4 Non Blondes to writing and producing massively successful hits for artists like Alicia Keys, Adele, Miley Cyrus, P!nk, Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, and countless others, Perry’s voice has shaped pop and alternative music on a remarkable level.
Linda Perry joined Nic Harcourt live on air on More Music In The Morning for a The SoCal Sound session where Perry turned the spotlight inward.
Performing songs from the new album Let It Die Here, Perry delivered one of the most vulnerable and emotionally raw sessions to hit the station in recent memory. Joined by longtime collaborator Nick Mayberry, she performed “Is That All You Got?,” “Feathers In A Storm,” and a deeply personal version of “Beautiful” — the song she famously wrote for Christina Aguilera over 20 years ago.
Throughout the conversation, Perry discussed the emotional impact of her upcoming documentary Let It Die Here, the deeply personal experiences that inspired the album, and the process of rediscovering herself creatively after years spent writing for other artists.
[Nic]: “There’s a great part in the documentary where Christina Aguilera is talking about you and she says that you made her feel like you gave her a safe space and a lot of the people that you’ve worked with are hugely complimentary about that, but it sounds like you haven’t been able to give yourself a safe space up until now.”
[Linda Perry]: “I can’t separate my head and heart, you know, they kind of go together. And as long as there’s a backstory and a past and trauma and pain, it’s always going to be there occupying my space. So I think I have to learn to live with this roommate that I don’t like, and I’m trying to embrace it. And I think that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to embrace it because I don’t see it going away anytime soon. But I will embrace it and appreciate it and be grateful for all the wonderful things that darkness brings.”
What makes this session so compelling isn’t just the music — it’s hearing Linda Perry openly confront the person she was forced to become while rediscovering the artist she always was underneath it all. Rather than revisiting past success through nostalgia, Perry reframes songs like “Beautiful” through the lens of survival, healing, vulnerability, and acceptance. The result is a session that feels intimate, fearless, and deeply human — a reminder of why Linda Perry remains one of the most emotionally impactful songwriters of her generation.
Let It Die Here is available now via Kill Rock Stars, and the documentary is out now in select theaters.
Support The SoCal Sound & The SoCal Sound Sessions
Your clicks, comments, and subscriptions not only boost these artists—it also helps The SoCal Sound grow our reach and continue showcasing what makes this music community so vibrant.
Stay Connected with The SoCal Sound
Stream this full session on TheSoCalSound.org or through the free SoCal Sound app—now Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. Don’t miss future sessions: sign up for our email newsletter for exclusive content, ticket giveaways, and station updates.
- · Filmed & Edited & Photographed by Matt Blake
- · Audio by Tristan Dolce
- · Host: Nic Harcourt
The SoCal Sound is member-supported public radio. Your support keeps sessions like this on the air and online.
