There’s that old saying — life can change in an instant.
That could not be more true for Emma Routhier.
One moment she was an economics major at UCLA who just happened to get invited to Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California. Next she’s performing with Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, and diving headfirst into the world of music.
Sounds pretty improbable, right?
Well, fast forward to 2025 and Routhier, who now performs under the name Linka Moja, has played Vedder’s Ohana Festival, opened for Roger Daltrey of The Who, and is about to embark on a nationwide tour opening for members of Greta Van Fleet.
Life can truly change in an instant.
We caught up with Linka Moja to discuss her origin story, the experience of touring with an iconic rock ‘n’ roll singer, her new music, and how music saved her life.
You have a wild origin story … you were discovered by Eddie Vedder. Can you talk about how he discovered you and what he’s meant to your career?
It was so random. Being a musician was not on my radar at all. I was an economics student at UCLA. I haven’t finished that yet, because this fell into my lap. But, I was always writing music in my dorm, at home about breakups, failing classes … all the things I’m feeling. I ended up in the same place as him at the same time, and weirdly enough, I had no idea that it was him. I knew the name Eddie Vedder and I knew Pearl Jam, but when I saw the man that I spoke to … Okay, do you know the Surf Ranch?
Oh yeah, that’s Kelly Slater’s place.
Exactly. We were there on a fluke, because a friend invited us. Eddie was playing while we were eating dinner up on the little side stage, and he took a break. Again, I was not processing how cool that was but it kind of helped me in the long run. I just went up to him after he was taking a break, and I was like, ‘Hey, I can play a little if you’re tired … Can I borrow your guitar?” And he looked at me so dumbfounded, but said yes. I just went up there and was just playing the stuff that I had been writing in my dorm, in my bedroom. He watched the whole time. When I was done, he came up and we played a cover together — a Pixies song. The morning after, we were leaving, and his manager came up to me and my dad and was like, “Eddie wants you to do this — you have a spot at Ohana Fest [which Vedder curates], like, let us know.”
That’s just crazy.
Yeah, it was crazy, but then it was kind of up to me. So I recorded two albums, and then, I arrived at the show [Ohana] and did my best. That kind of proved to them that I was serious about it. So since then, his manager, Smitty [Mark Smith], has been helping me, and Eddie’s like a little fairy angel in the background.
You could ask for worse people to be your fairy godfather, I’ll tell you that. Now, was the Surf Ranch the first time you had ever really performed in public?
When I was, like, 10 to 12, 15, I always had a little band going. I was in the school band, wind ensemble jazz band, and we always had a little rock thing on the side. But again, my head was really into econ … that career pipeline.
So, before the world of music swept you up, what was the plan? What was your ultimate goal to graduate college with — to be an economist, or in the business world?
I mean, honestly, [music] kind of saved my life, because that goal that I had was making me miserable, and I could not envision that life for myself.
When I listened to your song, “Unraveled” there’s such a ’90s influence on it. I’ve seen people of the current high school and college generations really gravitating towards alternative music that was playing in the ’90s. What is it about that sound that you gravitate towards?
My dad played a lot of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eagles, Led Zeppelin, and a lot of classic rock when I was growing up. I had a couple boyfriends, and, like, the last one had this really, really alternative music taste. I think the youth will always like grunge. We’ll always like alternative music. It just encapsulates the experience of being young and confused and frustrated. I don’t think it’ll ever die.
Switching gears a little. So one day you’re studying econ at UCLA, and then one day you get selected to open for Roger Daltrey of The Who on his solo tour this year. Can you talk about the experience of opening for one of the most iconic singers in rock ‘n’ roll history.
Meeting his team and his band and him was a really incredible experience. They really enjoyed our show, and we were just a stripped-down three-piece. I think that generation of artists is really excited to see what’s happening in the new generation, and really excited to support them as well.
So, Roger Daltrey is now your musical grandfather.
Yeah, I have a musical fairy godfather and a grandpa.
Did he or any of his team impart wisdom unto you that really stuck with you?
The team, oh my god, we were like this [makes a hand gesture of fingers crossed signifying closeness] by the end of it because you have to go through so much. That was our first time touring like that. We’re about to do it again to a more extreme degree, but it was tough. I was exhausted. The main piece of advice that they gave me was to rely on your team, because I do a lot myself. I booked all the stuff. I had to navigate us everywhere, was the day of show contact for all the shows. I was driving the rental car. So, I think a huge piece of advice that they gave me was to build a team that you trust and don’t try to do everything yourself. You’re not a one-man show. You might be a solo artist, but you can’t do it alone.
So you’re heading out on the road with Mirador [featuring Jake Kiszka, from Greta Van Fleet, and Chris Turpin, from Ida Mae] for a big tour. How are you feeling about this?
I don’t know if you’ve looked at the schedule, but it’s gonna be at least four hours of driving every day, and then a show every night with like four days off in 30 days. So, I have never done that, ever, in my entire existence. I don’t even think in past lives. My main concern is that my voice is not that strong. I have a unique voice, and it’s not technically that great, and it takes some warming up and cooling down. If I do anything wrong, I have a fear that I’ll lose it. This specific schedule doesn’t give me any time to lose it.
Outside of fears, what’s your excitement for the tour?
I’m really excited to see those faces in the crowd. I actually think that there’ll be a high conversion rate in the shows, because I think the music is similar. They all seem just really passionate about the band [Mirador] that they’re there to see. I think that passion will bleed into the opening act. I’m just excited to make those new connections, and also see parts of the US I’ve never seen before.
“Psycho” was her latest single release. Is this an appetizer of what could be in store for a longer release, whether it’s an EP or album? And how do you feel it stands out from everything else you’ve released so far?
I’m gonna answer the last question first. I think it stands out because the message is more clear. I think my writing is getting more understandable, if that makes sense. When I was writing in my bedroom I was hiding my message behind poetry and behind all these really interesting phrasings. I was almost scared to say what I really wanted to say. Now I feel like when I’m writing, I’m like …okay, I was about to cuss, but, like…
It’s fine, I swear constantly.
I’m just like, “Fuck you and your dog! I’m gonna do this.”
Ouch, what’d the dog do?
[laughs] No! You understand what I mean. I’m just like, “This is what I really feel, and this is what the song is really about.” I think the next project that’s coming out will be a little longer, and we’ll have “Psycho” on it as well. All of the songs are gonna be a real standalone message, and I think that’s important. I want it to be accessible to everyone, so I’m working on that.
You changed your life radically from being a college student to a musician. You’re gonna go embark on a big tour, you’re allowing your emotions to be out there. So I have to ask, what do you love about being a musician? What gets you out of bed every morning and think — ‘This is scary, but I’m still gonna do it, no matter what.’ It’s a lot of commitment, and it takes a passion and a love for it, and so what is it about all this that you love?
When I’m alone in my room, I really feel alone. The feelings that I put into the music. It’s so incredible to see someone else connect with it, and understand it, and feel less alone. Music has saved a lot of lives, and it saved mine. It’s really the one way that I have felt community. Going into my Spotify and listening to my favorite artists and hearing that they’re feeling the same things that I’m feeling — I just really want to be able to do that for other people and have them understand.
What are five things you’re excited about for the rest of 2025 and going into 2026.
I’m really excited I’m producing new music. I’m really excited to just let myself be unabashed in the music. I’m excited to meet these musicians as well, and hear their story, because they’re all part of a bigger group, Greta Van Fleet. I’m excited to hear what that journey has been like for them, and make new friends, and at the end of the day, also come home to my family and still be alive and well, hopefully.
