Meet Lissa
Born into a musical family, Lissa Lauria sang before she could even speak a complete sentence. At the ripe old age of four years old, Lissa experienced the thrill of the stage and performed her first solo. Having a mother who is a theatrical director, Lissa remembers, “I lived onstage more than off. It became home to me.”
Lissa has been preparing her entire life for what she is experiencing in the music and acting arenas today. She realizes that at 18 years old she is very young, but she knows what she wants and that she has to work hard to get it.
Growing up on Long Island, New York, only minutes from Manhattan which is such a musical melting pot. Lissa has come to love all kinds of music whether it's rock to reggae to african, or some of the rock greats like Grace Slick, Janis Joplin, Sting and Cream.” And because of the influence of New York City and Broadway, Lissa spent all her days even as a young child in tap, ballet, jazz, funk, music and acting classes.
When asked how she started writing the music and lyrics for songs, Lissa laughs as she explains, “I wish I knew! The songs seem to fall out of heaven. I get them while shopping, out to dinner, anywhere! It's actually annoying though because sometimes I have no way to remember them! I'll just hear the music in my head and out of my mouth come the lyrics. The experience is crazy.” Lissa’s music and vocals sound like Gwen Stefani meets Joss Stone, but her greatest desire is to combine many kinds of music with rock, creating a new sound. This is very obvious in the first 2 songs that Lissa wrote for her new band, L Squared, “Would You Mind” and “Scratch.” Lissa says in her own words, “Finally I’ve found guys that get it, in our band L Squared. They understand the unique sound I’m after, and just as quickly as I explain it to them, they’ve got it. It’s amazing!”
Lissa’s ultimate goal in all she does is to be a role model for kids younger and older than herself. “We’ve lost our heroes” Lissa explains. “Teens and young people need someone they can look to and admire. My deepest desire is that through my songs and my life, I can help kids believe they can be more than they ever dreamed they could be."
Lissa’s newest project is L Squared. She believes that the new sound they are creating, a combination of Pop/Rock/Funk, (and with her next 2 songs soon to be recorded, a bit of Reggae, and R&B), will carve a new niche in the music industry.
Meet Richy
Born in NYC surrounded by music, Richy “Stix” Scaglione began playing drums at the age of 13. Beginning in the school band, he soon realized that his love for playing was something that he wanted to continue throughout his life.
As he developed as a drummer, Richy played with many Rock bands and performed in many venues throughout Long Island and New York City. Having a thirst for musical knowledge, Richy soon began playing guitar and writing original songs for several local bands. Eventually he began playing as a studio drummer in which he recorded many national TV and Radio Advertising jingles and commercials.
In 2003, he had the honor of playing drums on the song which was used during the MTV Music Awards. The following year, he played at Radio City Music Hall which, according to him, was an experience unlike any other. Since 9/11, he has given his time to drum for the Long Island and NYC 9/11 Memorial services.
Besides music, Richy loves hockey, computer animation and programming and is training to become an SEO specialist. An avid film watcher, some of his favorites include, “Jaws”, “Jurassic Park”, “My Cousin Vinny” and “The Matrix” Trilogy.
Most recently, he helped form the band L Squared which he believes is going to make a mark in the music industry because of its original songwriting, talented musicians and new sound.
Meet Alex
Alex Mercier grew up in the musically rich city of Seattle, Washington. At the tender age of seven years old, he began his musical journey, taking piano lessons from a teacher in the neighborhood. Soon, his love and passion for music was ignited. Even from such a young age, he was completely committed to realizing his potential as both a musician and an artist.
By the age of fourteen, Alex was earning respect from veteran players with his virtuoso guitar performances, and by fifteen he had started up a studio with his close friend David Thomson which later became the still operating Soul Sound Audio. At seventeen, Alex was accepted into the University of Southern California’s Jazz guitar program, but opted to attend the University of Oregon where he could pursue his football career as well as major in jazz studies. He later transferred to the University of Washington where he became the first player in history to actively play for both PAC 10 teams. While at Washington, Alex also produced an album, “Husky Nation” on behalf of the University’s athletic department. The songs featured a number of the Husky football players, including himself and received national attention. All proceeds of the project benefited a local charity called Soulumination.
After suffering a career ending injury in 2006, Alex hung up his cleats and headed for Los Angeles to pursue his music career. He got his start in the industry by composing pieces for independent films, which include “Perfect Sport” and “Life of Lucky Cucumber.” While developing as a writer and performer he has backed up several L.A. based artists on guitar, piano and vocals. In March of 2007, Alex released his debut self title E.P. Currently, he is developing new material for an up coming E.P. release and is guitarist and back up vocalist for L Squared.
Meet Michael
Michael Breckenkamp began the transformation from being recognized as a cowboy to being praised for his very rock ‘n’ roll attire at the tender age of eleven after witnessing AC/DC live in St. Louis. Soon after this event, Mike put down the six shooter and picked up the six string and began jamming with bands all over the area as well as promoting, booking, and managing the logistics of groups as well.
Wanting to gain some experience and chops, Mike decided to team up with some fellow friends/musicians Porselain on their three month tour of the US with bands Veruca Salt and The Lovemakers. When former Prince/Janet Jackson/Shalamar guitarist Micki Free stopped by Mike’s (and Micki’s) hometown of Quincy, Illinois, Micki gave Michael a ring to come by and help him out on a few shows in the area. Since then, this Mississippi farm boy has been plucking guitar strings with greats such as Blasko (bassist; Ozzy Osbourne; Rob Zombie, Danzig) and Logan Mader (guitarist; Machine Head) to mention a few. Last summer Michael received the privilege of hanging his picture in “The November Rain Booth” at The Rainbow on Sunset Strip.
Michael never lets an opportunity of any sort slip by him. He loves all aspects of music and movies, never ceasing in trying to further himself as a guitarist and in all realms of the entertainment industry as well as being a decent, honest, reliable source. Michael has joined the band L Squared, adding his guitar expertise to the hot new sound.
Meet Percy
Since the early age of six Percy Sheldon has been a multitalented musical wiz kid. While growing up in Zurich Switzerland Percy took lessons in recorder, flute and piano. As a young teen he also taught himself the techniques of recording, music synthesis and he picked up the electric bass. He built his first home studio at the age of sixteen. By eighteen he was enrolled in the most prestigious Swiss Jazz School at the time, gaining band and rehearsal chops as a pianist and composer.
In 1995 Percy moved to Boston USA to study at Berklee College of Music. Four years of intensive schooling and extra curricular training earned him a Bachelor’s Degree in Film Scoring, Jazz Arranging and Tradition Composition.
A prestigious internship with the Academy of Television Arts And Sciences brought Percy to Los Angeles where he worked as a composer for film and television.
Percy aka Slim Yelow moved onto becoming a renowned dance music artist and DJ, creating multiple underground record labels, producing and remixing tracks for the worlds biggest names in DJ culture.
It was during this phase that Percy intensified his studies in electric bass and started to become a serious contender. He has worked with several LA based bands and he performed recently at the Coachella music festival in Palm Springs.
His funky style using the 6 string bass as well as the 4 string bass for slapping and popping is providing a colorful flavored influx into LSquared.
Other interests and hobbies: Drums, Woodwinds, Photography, Woodworking, Badminton, RC aircraft, Philosophy, History, Literature, Cooking.
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