Mike Shinoda Spills The Tea On Linkin Park'S Sneaky Comeback With Emily Armstrong on ONDA LA

Linkin Park’s Secret Sauce: How Mike Shinoda Recruited Emily Armstrong

Yo, LA fam, let’s talk about a comeback that’s got the whole SoCal rock scene buzzing. Mike Shinoda, the mastermind behind Linkin Park, just dropped some major deets on how they brought new vocalist Emily Armstrong into the fold - and trust, it’s straight-up Hollywood stealth mode. In a recent chat with 105.7 The Point, Shinoda revealed how the band played it cool to make sure they vibed with Armstrong before spilling the big news.

See, it ain’t just about having pipes that can blow the roof off a venue on Sunset Strip. Shinoda made it clear that talent is just the ticket to get in the door - the real test is whether you can hang, whether you’re grinding in the studio or chilling on a tour bus rolling through the 405. And with Armstrong, it was all about building that bond before dropping the bombshell that she was joining one of the biggest bands out of Cali.

Keeping It Low-Key: No ‘Linkin Park’ Name-Drop at First

Here’s where it gets juicy. Shinoda and the crew didn’t just roll out the red carpet in Hollywood and say, ‘Hey, welcome to Linkin Park.’ Nah, they kept their cards close, telling Armstrong and new drummer Colin Brittain they were just ‘friends making music.’

Colin thought he was working on a solo gig for Shinoda, while Emily figured she was just laying down some guest vocals. Talk about a plot twist worthy of a Netflix series shot in DTLA - they had no clue they were auditioning for a legacy act until the vibes were just right.

“We didn’t wanna spill the beans too soon. It was all about feeling that family energy first, you know, before we said, ‘Yo, this is Linkin Park,’” Shinoda shared with a laugh.

The Magic of Friendship: From Collab to Crew

As the sessions rolled on, something dope happened. Shinoda said it went from straight-up work to just kicking it like old pals on a Malibu beach day. One minute they’d be tweaking tracks, the next they’d be deep in convo for hours, forgetting the clock - that’s the real magic of a band, fam.

Shinoda knew they’d found their people when those hangout vibes matched their shared goals. It wasn’t forced; it was pure West Coast flow, like catching the perfect wave. That’s when they knew Armstrong and Brittain weren’t just collabs - they were the future of Linkin Park.

Emily Armstrong: The SoCal Rocker Ready to Rep Linkin Park

Let’s zoom in on Emily Armstrong, the LA-born powerhouse who’s stepping into some big shoes. Before joining Linkin Park in 2024, she was shredding it as the lead singer and guitarist for Dead Sara, bringing that raw, ‘90s rock grit that fits the band’s sound like a glove. Her gravelly vocals are the kind of energy you’d hear tearing up a stage at The Roxy.

Born and raised right here in Los Angeles, Armstrong’s journey is pure Hollywood hustle. She grew up in a Scientologist family, but found her true calling in music as a teen, dropping out of high school to chase the rockstar dream. That gamble paid off with three albums under her belt with Dead Sara and a stack of songwriting creds that prove she’s got the chops.

A New Chapter: Honoring the Past, Rocking the Future

Armstrong joining Linkin Park isn’t just a lineup switch - it’s a whole new era, especially after the heartbreaking loss of Chester Bennington in 2017. Her addition marks the band’s return to the stage after a long hiatus, and they’re blending her unique style with their iconic sound for a fresh Cali rock wave.

This move shows Linkin Park’s commitment to evolving while keeping their roots deep in the SoCal scene. It’s like watching a classic Venice Beach mural get a modern twist - still the same heart, just with new colors. We’re hyped to see how Armstrong’s raw energy lights up their next chapter.