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My name is Linda Carlsson... [laughs] Wait, hold on, I'm here.
My name is Linda Carlsson, I'm 25 years old and I work as a musician.
Job: Musician [entrepreneur]
I've made a living of my music since 2006 under the name "Miss Li." In high school I studied Social Sciences and Economics.
And then an additional subject which was football. So I did extra hours just so I could play football during school time.
When I was choosing a program for high school I did the normal thing - chose the same one my friends chose. And of course my parents though I should have a broad education.
I had thought about taking an Arts program, but I wanted to play football, so I though that program was good.
My grades were pretty average. I can't really tell what I got in the end, but I think I did ok.
Lost control a bit towards the end, but anyway...
I've worked in offices, customer support... There have been early mornings, and it's been important to do your job unless you want to get fired.
And it's the same thing here. If I don't get to interviews on time, if I miss performances, if I get sloppy, then my record label won't want to work with me, and neither will my booking agency.
A regular work day I get up around 7, and I usually get to bed around 3-4 at night. And in between it's work around the clock. I sing, play the piano, carry music equipment around.
I sleep in hotels most days of the week, which is not as classy as you might think after a couple of times. I get to the studio, try out different things.
And every day I'm constantly tired. I don't have time to call my friends, feel guilty about that always. I don't have time to see my family. But it's worth it, it's so much fun.
As long as I have the energy.
Hello and welcome to my place! Now I'll play you a song.
Since I work as a musician it's easier for me to have a one-man business. Since I might be playing in Lund one day and in Stockholm the next I never have the same employer it's easiest to send an invoice.
The hardest thing about running a one-man business is that I live such an erratic life right now. I'm so tired when I get home. Getting the papers and receipts organized so that everything is correct,
who should be invoiced, what should be deducted. I try to keep it organized.
For me the most important thing is to do what makes me happy, what I think is fun. The day money starts mattering in my life I'll need to sit down and think.
I don't think you should build up your life around money.
Recorded 2008