LE A

BY: Ashley Vitarelli

In a world where new music is magic and fresh voices are vital, one emo alt-pop sensation is more than hot on the radar of stardom. Learn the name L E A now, as soon, everyone will be shouting it. As she gears up for the release of her new EP Happy Never Ending, L E A is set to not only thrive in the music world, but redefine it. She is poised to make her mark on the industry with her irresistible style, magnetic personality, and captivating sound, all the while making her dreams come true.

“Growing up in New Jersey was pretty great honestly,” L E A shares. “I was adopted and put into choirs and musical theater as a kid and a teen, so I was always exposed to music. I owned a ton of instruments growing up and started songwriting in fifth grade. The music community I was surrounded by really inspired me. And of course, living at the beach was an absolute blessing!”

That exposure to music quickly ingrained itself into every fiber of L E A’s being. “My mom always likes to remind me that I used to sing The Beach Boys for the bank tellers,” L E A recalls. “My own memory though, is when I used to listen to Aaron Carter in the car on the way to go swimming, or when I asked my mom to buy me my first CD when I saw an ad on television for Dream Street.”

From singing songs by The Beach Boys to writing her own music, L E A evolved into more than just a fan of music, but also a music creative. “One of the first of many songs I wrote revolves around my fourth grade crush,” L E A explains. “It went something like ‘I really like you, I wish I could say something. Even though everybody knew, but you.’” Those lyrics, though “corny” as L E A describes them, marked the start of her creative journey and, in many ways, the birth of a star.

Indeed, L E A’s first moment where she felt like she had made it as an artist and was becoming a star came from working with one of her beloved music heroes, her producer Chase Coy. “It really felt like life came full circle,” L E A says of working with Coy. “From growing up listening to his music, to him literally making and writing my music with me today, all those songs have really put me on the map, and I’m super grateful for that and him.”

Moreover, as L E A’s music found itself on the map, L E A found that her own map was shifting, too. “Moving to LA was a dream come true,” L E A notes. “I had always known I wanted to live in California, and after I visited LA for the first time in 2014, I knew I was going to spend a lot of time there. Moving across the country was so fun and that part of my life was fresh and exciting! I’ve loved getting to know LA as a whole and meeting so many new people.”

Now out in LA and making her dreams a reality, L E A found herself coming into her own as an artist. Sonically, her music includes pop-punk and emo nods intertwined with brilliant pop sensibilities, an essence that is authentically and wholeheartedly L E A. “I have been making piano ballads and pop music for as long as I’ve been writing, but grew up on classic rock and pop punk music,” she states. “I’ve always been told to make rock music because my voice fits better in that style, but at one time wanted to write mainstream pop. Mixing my love for pop, emo, and then some created the genre that I’m sticking with today.”

That genre of course is, as L E A explains, the perfect blend of many different styles.

“Alternative-pop, nu-rock, pop-punk, pop-rock, nu-punk, exciting, bold, loud, aggressive, and colorful,” L E A says of her genre and style influences.

“I think I’ve always remained pretty authentic to myself, but one thing I did notice is that as I get older and become more confident in myself, my music gets better! So that’s cool!”

L E A’s confidence is more than evident on her new EP Happy Never Ending, which showcases her captivating capacity to create. “Happy Never Ending is about never-ending cycles in your life that you’re not mad about,” she shares. “You can expect two never before heard songs, three popular previous releases, and a lot of grit!” The EP also highlights some of L E A’s collaborative work, as she worked with both Kellin Quinn and DJ Bemo Rouge on Happy Never Ending.“Bemo has been so dope to work with,” L E A says. “He gets just as excited about this music as I do and we’re always sharing milestones on our song. I feel really grateful to have a tune with him! And Kellin was great to work with as well. His constant support and sharing our song before it’s out is the best, and I’m also grateful he gives opportunities to smaller artists.”

In sharing more of the creative process for Happy Never Ending, L E A reflects back to when she first started working with Coy.

“I had just started working with Chase Coy and brought him two songs I was eager to start,” she recalls. “By the time we finished recording them, I just kept giving him more to work on, and I’d fly to Nashville to track them. Happy Never Ending came about when I had all five songs that completed that little creative project. The EP told a perfect story from start to finish in my opinion, and that’s when I knew it was ready for release!”

When discussing specific songs on the EP, L E A is quick to bring up “Like Yesterday.” “I think ‘Like Yesterday’ is the most ‘Lea’ song,” she explains. “It flows how all my silly little piano ballads I’d write growing up would flow. The lyrics are super raw and specific, my voice is very low, and the end absolutely explodes, which is what my emotions have felt too. I thought it was so cool that we captured that in a song. To be honest, I’m not sure how people will take that one, but I’m excited to have it out there anyways!”

With the release of Happy Never Ending, L E A continues to manifest her dreams into reality, both inside the studio and out. “I think it’s kinda cheesy, but seeing some of my idols follow me on social media is the coolest thing,” she shares. “That and getting to play Emo Nights in front of big crowds, I feel really lucky. I absolutely love getting to teach the crowd the chorus to ‘I Guess I Like You Anyway,’ it makes me so excited and happy to hear others enjoying my music. Having around 300 people at Emo Night Brooklyn sing back to me was one of the sickest experiences.” love every minute of it — the highs and the lows — because it all builds the artist I’m becoming. It’s stressful and financially tough, but the reward of getting to meet new fans and perform in front of hundreds is worth it all.”

In pursuing music, L E A is acutely aware of the power that her profession has. “Music has the power to connect us,” she notes. “It brings people together. To party together and cry together.” Moreover, as she continues to reflect on her career, she ponders on who to cite as her biggest creative inspirations, before settling on Secondhand Serenade and Mayday Parade. “I think from the start both of those artists and bands have inspired me to get into music, pick up songwriting, and pursue a full time career in this field,” L E A says.

Creative Director: Heather Koepp

Photographer: Heather Koepp

Hair: Jessica Ruby

Makeup: Ryan Styne

Wardrobe: Heather Koepp & L E A

As L E A gears up to share Happy Never Ending with the world, it becomes evident that she is only just getting started on all that she will accomplish in music. “More music is still in the works,” she teases. “I’m hoping to eventually get signed and also play my first festivals.” However that’s not all the singer hinted at. “There may be some cool collaborations in the future,” L E A suggests. “Stay tuned!” Indeed, L E A is making a name for herself in the industry, making her dreams come true, and making mesmerizing and magnetic music. “Being a musician is an emotional rollercoaster that I wouldn’t dare to get off of,” L E A shares. “I