Mike Shinoda recently revealed details about how Linkin Park recruited new vocalist Emily Armstrong. He shared insights about the band’s secretive approach in a statement to 105.7 the Point.
The Linkin Park co-founder explained how the band deliberately kept their identity hidden during the initial collaboration process with Armstrong and new drummer Colin Brittain.
“I said before to somebody else that the talent part, like being a good singer, gets you in the door. That’s the lowest bar, and that bar is already very high,” Shinoda said. “So the more we hung out with her (Emily Armstrong), I think the real question was…being in a band, whether it’s in the studio or making things and getting them ready to be put out, or being on tour, you’re spending a lot of time together.”
Shinoda described how the band maintained secrecy about their true identity during early sessions.
“We knew that we wanted to have the best version of all of that that we could, so we were pretty careful about- we didn’t say to her or to Colin, like, ‘Hey, this is Linkin Park,'” he continued. “In the beginning, we just said, ‘We’re friends, we’re making music.’ And in fact, Colin thought it would be like a solo project for me, and Emily thought she was just doing a guest- we were working on something for maybe a guest spot.”
The musician emphasized how the collaboration naturally evolved into something more significant.
“Eventually, the more we spent time with them, it just became more like a group of friends getting together. It just felt like we’d be working on stuff one minute, and then the next minute, we’d realize, ‘Oh, we’ve been sitting around talking for hours, not doing anything,'” Shinoda explained. “I think that’s the magic of any band: you gotta have similar goals.”
Armstrong’s addition to Linkin Park marks a significant milestone for both the vocalist and the band. It represents their first major lineup change since Chester Bennington’s death in 2017.
Loudwire reported that Emily Armstrong was born in Los Angeles and served as the lead singer and guitarist for rock band Dead Sara before joining Linkin Park in 2024. Her powerful, gravelly vocal style brings a distinct 90s rock intensity that complements the band’s signature sound.
Armstrong’s musical journey began early in her life. Linkinpedia noted that she was raised in a Scientologist family but discovered her passion for music during her teenage years. She ultimately dropped out of high school to pursue a career in rock music. This decision proved pivotal in developing her unique vocal approach, which draws from personal expression and raw emotion.
Her experience with Dead Sara provided substantial preparation for her role in Linkin Park. Wikipedia documented that Armstrong released three studio albums with Dead Sara and accumulated additional songwriting credits. This demonstrates her depth as both a performer and creative artist. This extensive background in rock music made her a natural fit for Linkin Park’s evolving sound.
Armstrong’s recruitment represents more than just a new voice for the band—it signals Linkin Park’s commitment to moving forward while honoring their legacy. Her addition allows the group to return to the stage after a lengthy hiatus. They are blending her distinctive style with the band’s established musical foundation as they embark on this new chapter.
