Daily Inspiration: Meet Leilani Patao

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leilani Patao.

Hi Leilani, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in LA, and came out to New York to go to NYU. I didn’t always think I was going to make music my life, but all I knew was that’s how I felt most heard. As a Native Hawaiian person and a queer person, I found my community, and my chosen family through sharing my story and my music. The LA underground was really integral to finding that community. I played in a band called Prophet Tree for a few summers, and in that time, I met some of the coolest and kindest people. I saw how music can be a safe place for the those who are sometimes the most abandoned by our world. So when I started playing music in New York, I searched for a scene to call home, like the scene I’d found in LA. And I found that community once I found what I wanted to say as an artist. I decided to take my music off of streaming because I disagree with unfair wages for artists, AI integration, and art being treated like data to be traded. But I also chose to get off streaming because I wanted to show people that we can all be the first steps to making a better music industry and a better world.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been an exciting and bumpy ride along the way. Releasing music, and putting yourself out there like that, is scary, and for me it’s really emotional. These songs are personal, and I’ve produced them all myself as well. When I was on streaming, all I could think about was metrics like monthly listeners and follower counts and numbers that proved to other people that my music was worthwhile. Being off of streaming does make it harder to find the people willing to listen to what I have to say, but it made every interaction I’ve had so real to me. It’s tangible now. I talk to someone at a show, or someone buys a CD or a tape because they love physical media just like me. When I showed up as myself, and I didn’t define my own worth through numbers, I felt prouder of the work I created.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a singer, songwriter, and producer! I’ve always been really proud to see my songs and my stories through to the end, and getting to create art that really represents me. I would say my music is indie pop, but genres are confusing, and I hope the music can speak for itself. I love to lead with the worlds my songs can create.
I would say I’m known for saying what needs to be said. I hope I can make the world feel safer to someone by creating space to feel, and helping others feel able to say what they think. I want to be an artist for change, even in the smallest ways.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
Los Angeles is a really generous city. It really took leaving to see that. People are so down to go to shows, people are so happy to talk to you after. LA has such a strong underground music scene because these people are so excited to care for others. I know not everyone sees LA that way, but as someone born and raised in LA, I have seen its true kindness.
I’m a terrible driver, so I do wish that LA had more public transportation. Living in New York, the train makes me feel a lot more connected to the people around me, while also getting me exactly where I want to go. Having a car does make playing shows a lot easier, but driving stresses me out a bit too much.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leilanipatao.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leilanijpatao/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leilanijpatao
• Other: https://leilanipatao.bandcamp.com/

Image Credits
All photo credits to Shannon McMahon, except for the photo where I’m on stage in a magenta blouse, that’s credits to Toby Shapiro