Hailing from New Jersey, Candi Lynn is an indie artist who performs her own unique blend of hip-pop. Her debut album, ILLMissBehavin, was released earlier this year and more information on Candi and her music career can be found at her website CandiLynn.com.

Q: Who are your musical influences?

CL: I am influenced by many different artists: Alanis Morissette, Pink, TLC, Jay-Z, Christina Aguilera, Eminem, Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, and Pepper to name a few.

Q: What's the most important thing that you have learned since you began your music career?

CL: I'd have to say the most important thing I've learned is to always stay true to myself. It's such a cutthroat and hustle of a business to dive into, especially being an indie artist like I am, so people are always trying to change something about me or suggest something different. At the end of the day, you just have to look deeply into yourself and believe in the artist you are and what you're doing.

Q: How would you describe the musical elements of your debut album ILLMissBehavin?

CL: The music elements are a mix of different genres. I've combined some hip-hop elements, some pop elements, and the rock edge, and mixed ‘em all up in this album. That's the beauty of being an indie artist. I had the creative freedom to be who I am and to do whatever I wanted without A&R people standing behind me creating my album.

Q: Which of your songs do you feel most closely connected to, and why?

CL: That's hard to say because I wrote all the lyrics to every one of my songs, and wrote them all for a certain reason through feelings and thoughts at that moment in time. So I can't say I have one that I'm closely connected to, because I am closely connected to all of them.

Q: Which do you find to be more inspirational when writing music: being happy in a relationship or going through heartbreak?

CL: I would have to say going through heartbreak. It opens up another realm for me. Don't get me wrong, I love writing about being happy in a relationship and get inspired by that as well. But when you're happy you're at more of a loss for words - you're just at a certain sense of peace. So when I'm going through heartbreak there is all that room for expression and writing my way through it, searching for that peace of mind.

Q: You wrote each of the 15 songs featured on your debut album, how many other songs have you written thus far?

CL: To be honest, I think I might have songs for days. I've been writing poetry and lyrics since I was 8, so I have boxes filled with writings, poetry, lyrics, songs, etc. Plus I'm still constantly writing.

Q: What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of writing a new song?

CL: I'm not sure that I find anything challenging about writing a new song. It's creative, it's being inspired, and it's loving what I do. But I do think sometimes what might "challenge" me is finding the right melody to the lyrics. I'm not crazy about the word "challenge" - once you put that word in front of something, that's exactly what it becomes: a CHALLENGE. So I look at things like finding a melody as a learning experience, for growth as an artist.

Q: What does being a "Jersey Gurl" mean to you?

CL: It means that I don't take any shit! Ha-ha! I love being a Jersey Gurl, I'm surrounded by three major cities and I have a mix of people and influences from every direction. So I wouldn't have it any other way.

Q: What would the perfect day of relaxation entail for you?

CL: Ah, I dream about this! Going to a tropical island, getting a massage, laying on the beach with a book, and a notebook with not a care in the world. Not too many people, and it can't be too hot! That is ideal.

Q: We end all interviews with word association, so I say "wombat" and you say...

CL: Meerkat.