AIDEN LESLIE Recording Artist •Songwriter
ABOUT IDEN When Junior Vasquez’s remix of Aiden Leslie’s “Love to Hate You” - a remake of the Erasure song - ignited dance floors in 2009, it introduced singer Aiden Leslie as a formidable young talent. Media around the world dubbed him “one to look out for”. But then, tragedy struck. Aiden suffered the unexpected loss of his beloved sister and he walked away from music for - what his grief led him to believe - forever. But then in 2011, he returned with “Worlds Away”, a song that paid tribute to his sister. It’s music video reached the #1 position on MTV Logo’s music countdown, where it remained for a record four consecutive weeks. When it was added to rotation on MTV and VH1, Aiden knew he was back. He followed the hit with the pop anthem “Trying to Leave Now”, and again charted #1 on several pop/ dance charts around the globe. Then, in the summer of 2012, he released the video and single “Diamond Dreams”. Six days after graduating high school in Ohio, Aiden Leslie moved to New York City to pursue his music dreams. “I was mesmerized by Elvis as a child,” he remembers. In New York, Aiden was cast in an off Broadway play. In between rehearsals, he would tag along with the show’s sound engineer and scour the shelves of Eightball Records, a vinyl record shop that was popular with DJs in the mid-nineties. There, Aiden was introduced to
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an underground music world he didn’t know existed. It wasn’t long before he became a fixture in the New York nightlife, frequenting clubs like Palladium, Tunnel, Twilo, Roxy, and Jackie 60. The one element he found to be lacking in dance was the presence of strong male vocalists. “A lot of DJs are simply not open to playing male artists on their dance floors. I think it’s time that has changed. I want to be a part of the movement to bring more guys to the floor.”
“ I am grateful to have found my purpose in music...”
As a songwriter, Leslie has become known for using his songs as personal diary entries. “Worlds Away” examined the aftermath of struggle, and how people eventually reach a light at the end of the tunnel and grow from adversity. “Trying to Leave Now” looked at fighting feelings in the heart, leaving a love the mind knows is not right. And “Diamond Dreams” reflected on Aiden’s story of coming to New York City six days after his high school graduation; how he grew from a boy to a man, navigating his way through the tough city streets, seeking his dreams to become the performer he is today. And, It’s become a reality as he has been steadily touring the country the last three years, playing to huge crowds in cities such as Chicago, Miami, New York City, Atlanta, Albany, Columbus, Ft. Lauderdale often opening for acts such as Wilson Phillips, 10,000 Maniacs, Debbie Gibson, Aaron Carter, Kristine W to name just a few. “My fans are always my priority and meeting them makes it all worth it” says Leslie. His newest track, “Nobody Said”, continues his journey in search of life’s ideal. It tackles a desire many (including Aiden Leslie) feel is even more out of reach: finding ultimate love. “I’ve learned that in life, there are hills to climb,” he says. “It’s how you manage the climb up and the fall down from them that is key. “I am grateful to have found my purpose in music…It’s how I share and express myself. Being given a second chance to share it with the world is a gift.”
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“After a two-year hiatus from music, hip-pop artist Aiden Leslie returns to the clubs with a slick groove track that examines human struggle and its aftermath.” - David Magazine, Atlanta
WO R L D S AWAY
(FEATURING FARRAH BURNS)
“I was immediately captivated. Leslie’s superior vocal styling puts him in league with Justin Timberlake and even Michael Jackson... he is no one hit wonder.” - HotSpots Magazine, Miami
“Vocally, Aiden Leslie is easily on par or better than most of the voices currently on mainstream radio.” Grab Magazine, Chicago
“Aiden Leslie has made a career singing heartfelt songs most guys wouldn’t dare own up to...Infusing his remarkably tuneful pop songs with confessional lyrics like how he has spent his life “craving affection and creating protection” are what draws more and more fans to this deeply honest pop singer.” - Next Magazine, NYC
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MUSIC VIDEOS WORLDS AWAY
MUSIC/REMIXES NOBODY SAID (Joe Gauthreaux Club Mix)
NOBODY SAID (Frank Lamboy Club Mix)
NOBODY SAID (Klubjumpers Club Mix)
NOBODY SAID (Georgie Porgie Club Mix)
DIAMOND DREAMS (Klubjumpers Club Mix)
DIAMOND DREAMS (Julian Marsh Club Mix)
WORLDS AWAY (Tim Letteer Club Mix)
TRYING TO LEAVE NOW (Orly Productions Radio Edit)
TRYING TO LEAVE NOW
DIAMOND DREAMS
AIDEN LESLIE WO RL DS AWAY
(FEATURING FARRAH BURNS)
TRYING TO LEAVE NOW (Joey C & David Petrilla Club Mix)
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DIAMOND DREAMS (Tim Letteer Club Mix)
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LIVE SHOWS/ BEHIND THE SCENES
ATLANTA PRIDE LIVE
CHICAGO’S MARKET DAYS LIVE
GRIFFIN NYC
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THE CUTTING ROOM, NYC LIVE
ALBANY WATERWORKS NIGHTCLUB
SOUNDCHECK
BACK IN THE GAME, PART 4
G LOUNGE NYC
SIRIUS/XM RADIO INTERVIEW
REHEARSAL
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November 3, 2011 ❖ Issue 51
Log Cabin Endorses Fletcher THE RESTAURANT INSIDER
Got a Date? Insider has Ideas
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Singer Aiden Leslie is Top Choice
‘Anonymous’ Makes Conspiracy Sexy AIDEN LESLIE PRESS KIT 37
Asbury Park’s pride this past summer. Being a performer has impacted his partying lifestyle. “For me, it’s about the work and what I can bring to my show. I have to stay disciplined or I will not be at my best for the people that come to see me.” He’s also given up the drugs. “I have partied in the past. To each his own, I say. But for me, at this point in my life, it’s not something that I do anymore.” He hasn’t lost his love of DJs though. Today he follows David Guetta for his European and pop music reach, Armin Van Buuren for his Trance influence, DJ Paulo for the Tribal beats and DJ Abel for the journey. Aiden’s touring gigs have also opened his eyes to the spectacular events going on outside of the big cities. “It’s refreshing to travel to the smaller towns because there is an authenticity that is isn’t necessarily there when you play the bigger markets. I love finding that the pace doesn’t always slow down in the smaller communities. They know how to party in the burbs!” Aiden recounts another advantage of the smaller communities: finding love. (It seems to always come back to love with Aiden Leslie). “Love, for anyone, isn’t easy. But, I will say that if you live in a large city like New York or Los Angeles, finding love can be harder. “There is so much to choose from that many gay men think something better may come along. In effect, the fear cancels a lot of the possibility. Also, many gay men are so accustomed to materialism and the exterior that it’s hard to see past what is beyond the muscles.” 27
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Pouring out another smart, smooth groove, Aiden Leslie is heating up the dance floor with his new single, “Trying to Leave Now.” See this and many others on our top summer dance song list.
+ Must Have Country Songs + Q&A with DJ Ken-E
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Sight&Sound
Burning Up the Dance Floor
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Aiden Leslie
Absolutely. New York is a huge part of my story and what much of Diamond Dreams symbolizes. The video was directed by Marco Ovando, yet it’s very different than his videos with Cazwell and Amanda Lepore. The intention was to offer a highly stylized, energetic, performance video around my story. Like any artist, Marco has many sides. His viewpoint is diverse and inspiring.
Suits Up For the
Big Time By John Lorimer
RUNAWAY
DREAMS Aiden Leslie blasted on to the pop charts early last year with “Worlds Away”. It climbed to the top spot on Masterbeat and Logo, where it remained for four weeks. He then released “Trying to Leave Now”, a song he wrote about a relationship he was forced to leave despite what he felt in his heart. In Diamond Dreams - his new single that terrifically blends rock, pop, dance and electronica - Leslie once again bares his soul through song. The track releases worldwide on this month. 46 AIDEN LESLIE PRESS KIT
What is the secret to making dreams a reality? Belief.
The intention was to offer a highly stylized, energetic, performance video around my story. What was the inspiration behind Diamond Dreams? I wanted to share my story of coming to New York City six days after high school graduation and how it has lead me to where I am today. It’s about growing from a boy to a man and finding my way through what I call “the electronic maze”. What drives you most – fear of failure or thirst for success? Neither. I’m not afraid of failing. I’m afraid of not having made the effort.
Most of your other songs have been about your quest for love. Have you found your Mr. Right yet? (Laughing) I’m still single, but I have my eyes open. I do believe he will come when he’s meant to. How’s life? Life has never been better. I often think back to when I was only dreaming of what I’m doing now. What else could I ask for?
What is the hardest lesson you have learned in your quest to make your dreams come true? In order to get what you want out of life, you must be extremely focused and believe that you have something to offer, even when you’re told that you do not. You must have a thick skin and not take what others think about you or your art personally. You must love it first and chances are that it will resonate. It’s not an easy lesson to master, but a vital one to continue to move forward. Is it true what they say about NY – that if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere? Yes, if you learn how to make New York work, you can take those lessons anywhere. Is that why your music video takes place in NYC?
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Logo’s ‘Top Click’ is a Lover and a Leaver I’m probably in the best place I have ever been in my life. It’s largely because I have reconnected to my passion. I’m single right now, but I am definitely looking forward to sharing my life with someone. So much in my past has been about settling, but at this point in my life, I won’t do that. My career consumes much of my time. It’s my priority and will continue to be, but I also want to strike a balance between my career and personal life.
BY SAMUEL WATSON
Aiden Leslie’s “Trying to Leave Now” is about salvaging what is right in a relationship before losing everything. Penned by the artist, the single is the follow-up to “World’s Away,” his song that nabbed the top spot on Logo’s “Click List” countdown show for four consecutive weeks last summer. “I wrote ‘Trying to Leave Now’ about a person in my life I have always had deep feelings for,” says the artist, who is openly gay. “We eventually came together but at the wrong time in both our lives, making (a relationship) impossible to pursue.” Leslie says he battled with trying to leave the guy while his feelings for him were still very strong and very much alive. According to Leslie, it’s important for would-be lovers and lovers in general to understand that, sometimes, leaving is the only option. “At some point, you have to let go to see where it ends up on its own.” “The same holds true with life,” he says. Backing up his point and his music, Leslie encourages fans to embrace the truth, even if doing so means having to part ways with the one you love. Samuel Watson for San Diego LGBT Weekly: What do you look for in a partner? Aiden Leslie: At this point in my
life, it’s attractive to me if I know that the person has lived a little. I want someone that has been around the block a few times, but is now looking for something more rooted. Also, they need to have a belief in something bigger than themselves. I’m looking for someone who has dreams and wants to fulfill them, no matter what. “Trying to Leave Now” is about a person you loved but at the wrong time in your life. What do you mean by that?
It simply came down to timing. It wasn’t the time for us to pursue anything more than what it already had been. 20
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What was it like shooting the music video for “Trying to Leave Now?”
Is there a right time for love?
I don’t think it’s about right or wrong, it just happens. That is the beauty of love. But I do think that circumstances in one’s life definitely can influence the direction it should or shouldn’t take. Where were you going that he wasn’t willing to follow?
We wanted different things. Our needs didn’t match. I had to leave and choose another way for myself, even though the feelings were still there. Would you follow your true love wherever he went?
I would like to believe that I would find a way to make it work and that he would do the same for me. As I get older, I am starting to see that you must follow your heart. If you don’t, you’ll likely pay a hard price. “World’s Away” was a breakout hit. Do you expect “Trying to Leave Now” will be as successful?
When I finish a project, I always ask myself one question: Am I satisfied with what I have done? If I am not, then I would never put it out for the world to see. I try not to approach anything in the sense of its success or failure. In my mind, the simple fact that I ❖ NOV. 3, 2011
did it and I am proud of it means it is successful. I try and leave off any expectations. What is “World’s Away” about?
The core of “World’s Away” is about life’s journey and the struggles we all go through. It’s about realizing where you have been, taking what you have learned and letting it go. Are all your songs so deep and personal?
Always. For me, sharing my experiences through music helps me grow personally and artistically. Hopefully, the raw truth resonates with the listener and they take away something from it as well. As an out gay man, have you written about your coming out experience?
I have never written specifically about coming out, but I have written about my life experiences, being a gay man in today’s world. Would you agree that ‘it gets better’?
Yes, without a doubt, but, I will also say that it comes down to choosing it to be better for yourself. Are you in a good place in your life today?
Shooting a music video is always a big undertaking. I am one hundred percent involved in every step of the way from concept to the final moment of editing. It’s always important to have support along the way. Working with my creative director, Robert Vasquez, and the rest of my artistic team was a productive learning experience for me. We raised the bar in terms of production from the last video. Can’t wait to do the next one. What do you want fans to come away with from the video?
“Trying to Leave Now” is an anthem. My goal when anyone listens or watches anything that I do is that they see the journey in all that we are and experience. It also pays homage to my love affair with NYC, so it’s a reflection of my home and my life.
Are you working on new songs?
I’m always working on new material. When do you expect you will release your new album?
Right now, it looks like a new single will be releasing early in the new year. Underneath the muscles and pretty face, who is Aiden Leslie?
Just like everyone else, he’s someone longing to be heard and ultimately seeking to find his own way. ❖
NOV. 3, 2011 ❖ SAN DIEGO
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“ M i m is ió n fu n d a m e n ta l c o m o a r ti st a m i h is to ri a e s c o m p a r ti y e x p e ri e n c r ia s” , d ic e e l a A id e n L e sl ie r ti st a d e m ú si c c u y o p ri m e r a se n c il lo e n “ Wo rl d s A w d o s a ñ o s, ay “ , se la n z a e st e m e s d e p ro d u c to ra m a n o d e la V ic T im M u si c G ro u p . “ M g e n te m ir a ra e g u st a rí a q u e m á s d e c e rc la a su v id a y se s e r m e jo r. ¡A se e sf u e rc e p o h , y lo g ra r q r u e la g e n te ri r ittm m o !” . se m u e v a c o n mi S e is d ía s d e sp u é s d e su g ra d u a c ió n tr t raa sl a d ó a N e n O h io , se u e v a Yo rk p a ra a lc a n z a r m u si c a l. su su e ñ o “ C u a n d o n iñ o , E lv is m e fa sc in a b a ” , re p a d re s e ra n c u e rd a . “ M is su s fa n s y si e m p re e sc u c h a U n d ía le s d b a n su m ú si ij e a m is p a d ca. re s q u e q u e c o m o E lv is , rí a y m e d ij e ro n se r c a n ta n te q u e y o p o d rí q u is ie ra . S u a se r lo q u e apoyo mi en v a le n to n ó .” E n N u e v a Yo rk , p a r ti c ip ó e n c a st in g s E n m e d io d e d e B ro a d w ay lo s e n sa y o s, . se re u n ía c o d e so n id o d n e l in g e n ie e l sh o w y re ro b u sc a b a e n la s d e E ig h tb a ll e st a n te rí a s R e c o rd sl , u n a ti e n d a d e v in il o m u y p d is o p u la r e n tr e cos de lo s D Js a m e n o v e n ta . A ll d ia d o s d e lo í, A id e n se in s tr o d u jo e n e m ú si c a U n d e l mundo de rg ro u n d . N o la p a só m u c h o d e c o n v e r ti rs ti e m p o a n te e e n a sí d u o s d e l a m b ie n te N u e v a Yo rk , n o c tu rn o d e fr e c u e n ta n d o c lu b e s c o m Tu n n e l, Tw il o e l P a ll a d iu o , R o x y, y Ja m, c k ie 6 0 , p a ra b a il a r c o n D e sc u c h a r y Js c o m o Ju n io r V a sq u e z o D a n n y Te n a g li a . “ E l b a il e y e l a m b ie n te U n d e rg ro u n d c o m o o tr a fo m e p a re c ie ro rm a d e te a tr n o ” , n o s e x p li n o rm a s y m c a . “ S in u y e x p re si v o , u n a fo rm a m a rc a d o c o d e a r te e n n tr a st e c o n la e st ri c ta e ffo o rm a s tr a d ic st ru c tu ra d e la io n a le s e n la s s q u e h a b ía e n to n c e s.” a c tu a d o h a st a U n o d e lo s e le m e n to s q u e e n c o n tr ó llaa m ú si c a e ra e n fa lt a e n la p re se n c ia de voces ma d u ra s. “ M u c sc u li n o s h o s D js e st á n c e rr a d o s a m a sc u li n a s e u sa n su s p is ta s r la s v o c e s d e b a il e . Y y y a e s h o ra d o c re o q u e e c a m b ia r e so . Q u ie ro se m o v im ie n to r p a r te d e l q u e ll e v e a m á s tí o s a la s p is ta s.” Y lo h iz o . E l re m ix d e Ju n io r V a sq u e z tto o H a te Yo u ” d e l te m a “ L o d e A id e n , u n ve re m a k e d e l E raa su re , e n c é x it o d e e n d ió la s p is ta s p o r to d o iinn ttr o d u jo a el mundo e A id e n L e sl ie c o m o u n g ra n ta le n to . L e ssl ie d e sc ri b e su so n id o c o m o H ip -P iinn fl u e n c ia d o p c o n g ra n ance. Es un fi e l re fl e jo d e su v id a , d ic e, 62 AIDEN LESLIE PRESS KIT
p e ro a d m it e q u e n o si e m p re fu e a sí . si g u ie n te c a De he n c ió n d e sp u é s d e su e x it o so c h o , la u n a c a n c ió n q u e A id e n d d e b u t fu e e sc ri b e c o m su v e rd a d e ro o “ n o fi e l c o n y o ” . E n p a r te , e sa fu e la ra a u se n c ia p o r dos años e z ó n d e su n el mundo d e la m ú si c a . “ N o e ra lo q u e y o q u e rí a h a c e r e n la a d m it e . “ D e m ú si c a ” , sp u é s d e ‘L o v e To H a te Y o p o r tu n id a d o u ’, tu v e m u c e s, e in te n té has a c a p a ra r to d su p e q u e e ra o . D e in m e d u n e rr o r y a ia to p re n d í u n a d cheque en b u ra le c c ió n . la n c o p u e d e Un se r b u e n o , p e ro p e n a si su p o n e p e rd e r tu n o v a le la in te g ri d a d y tu v o z .” E l la n z a m ie n to c o in c id ió ta m b ié n c o n p é rd id a p a ra u n a d u ra A id e n : la m u e r te in e sp e ra h e rm a n a m ay d a d e su o r. “ E ll a e ra m i ú n ic a h e rm a n a y e ra q u ie m is p a d re s, n c u id a b a a q u e e st a b a n e n fe rm o s.” A a c a sa p a ra id e n re g re só c u id a r d e su s p a d re s, c ay d e se sp e ra c ió e n d o e n la n m á s p ro fu nda. “ P e rd í la p a si ó n p o r la m ú si c a . M i m e st a b a n v a c ía e n te y a lm a s. R e c u e rd o q u e m e se n tí p e n sé ja m á s ta n b a jo , n o q u e v o lv e rí a a la m ú si c a , q u e e ra la re a u n q u e sa b ía sp u e st a p a ra sa li r d e to d o .” E l d e st in o in te r v in o . A id e n re c ib ió u u n p ro d u c to n a ll a m a d a d r, p re g u n ta n e d o si e st a b a tr a b a ja r e n d is p o n ib le p u n a p is ta . F u a ra e como una d e re g re so a se ñ a l y e l c a la n o rm a li d a m in o d , y a c e p tó v e z , m e d ij e la o fe r ta . “ E a m í m is m o , st a n o im p o r ta lo h a rí a a m i m q u e p a se , lo a n e ra , c o n m i v is ió n . N o q u e sa li e ra , m e im p o r ta si e m p re q u e b a lo fu e ra a u té n ti c o p a ra m í. “ “ Wo rl d s A w ay ” e s u n a c a n c ió n so b re p o r e l m is m la v id a . E sc ri o A id e n L e sl ta ie , e x a m in a a fr o n ta , re fl c ó m o la g e n e ja la in e v it te la a b il id a d d e l re fl e x io n a so c a m b io . Ta m b re la s c o n se b ié n c u e n c ia s d e ll e g a n d o a la e sa lu c h a , lu z a l fi n a l d e l tú n e l y e l la p e rs o n a s c re c im ie n to a n te la a d v e de rs id a d . “ H e a p re n d id o q u e e n la v id a h ay q u e m o n ta ñ a s” , su b ir y b a ja d ic e . “ E l c ó m r o te la s a rr e cómo haces g la s e n la c a íd a p a ra su b ir a ,y la c im a , e s la c la v e .” “ L a v id a e s a g ri d u lc e . To d o s te n e m o a lg o q u e e n c s u n p ro p ó si o n tr a r. E st o to , y a g ra d e c id o e n c o n tr a d o de haber m i d e st in o e n la m ú si c a . u n a se g u n d a M e e st á d a n o p o r tu n id a d do p a ra c o m p a r con el mund ti r lo q u e h a o . E s u n re g go a lo . “
w w w .a id e n
le s li e .c o m
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CONTACT Management and Bookings: Steve Diamond steve@aidenleslie.com stevediamondny@gmail.com 347.581.4757
www.aidenleslie.com www.facebook.com/aidenlesliemusic www.youtube.com/aidenlleslie www.twitter.com/aidenleslie www.instagram.com/aidenleslie www.soundcloud.com/aidenleslie
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