Today we’d like to introduce you to Lea Anderson.
Lea, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I hate saying that I’ve been singing all of my life because that’s what everyone says, but it’s true. I’ve always been trying to sing the sounds I hear around me. Which I know now is what they call a “producer’s ear”
I was born in Washington D.C. and raised in South Carolina. South Carolina is where I learned how to read music, where I joined my first band, and where I first embarked on a career in Musical Theatre: which took me on my own little world tour. I loved being a singer/actor/dancer— I just felt I would be better off singing and telling my own stories. I knew I would help more people that way. After I earned my right to be in Actors Equity Association, I moved to NYC to pursue music on a more intimate level. It was easy for me to find musicians and producers in NYC but it was hard finding the best ones for me. I went through hurdles to find like-minded musicians who wanted to achieve the same level of sound as I did. That didn’t want all that autotune. I needed people that understood that I had range but that I didn’t have to use all of my range in one 3 minute song. I didn’t want to work with people who told me I needed to change my lyrics and melodies.
Because I waited for the right people, I can say that everyone I worked with on my finished album, I was divinely led to. MY LP was recorded and mastered by Grammy-nominated and recipient of 16 Billboard Awards, D-Moet. I collaborated with A list producers such as: rising composer Asante Amin, Road to Stardom Winner Jessica Betts, and world-renowned guitarist Marcus Machado. Now I have a collection of high-quality music about heartbreak, self-love, happiness, sadness, love, fake love, glory, loneliness, equality, and sisterhood that I can use to heal the world that we are in today. Since I released Pronounced Lee in 2019, I have been performing it everywhere that I can—including Los Angeles! The goal is to be an inspiration. I hope my music inspires you.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing worth having is easy. Even if it’s your purpose in life to complete it. You will always have trials, tribulations, and the moments when you feel stuck. Since embarking on a professional career in music, I have been in an abusive relationship. I have suffered through the trauma and guilt of having an abortion. I healed myself from a severe infection through yoga and a vegan diet. There has been so many curve balls along the way. But it only gives me something else to sing about. The more I put my struggles in my music, the more women I can help heal. You have no idea how many people who have opened up to me or have cried on my shoulder because my lyrics resonated. I am so grateful for my healing capability and it makes every struggle I had worth it.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I believe that music is a ministry. I feel that it is the responsibility of the artist to create music that their generation can learn from, relate to, grow, and vibe with. I do not use gimmicks, I am not trying to replace anyone who’s come before me, I am not experimental. This is simply my testimony. What I think my generation needs more than anything else right now is a collection of feel good music that reflects what is going on around them. I didn’t just pull things together, these are melodies and lyrics I invented while I was sitting alone with GOD. Some came through meditation (SKIN), some came from crying and hurting from heartbreak (More Than I Could), one came from being tispy (Mine). I handpicked each instrumentalist, I only chose composers I was immediately drawn to —I didn’t seek out clout, I felt vibes. I am very proud of this work and I hope that one day I can turn around and see more people striving to be the inspiration, loving their skin (whether it’s dark or light), choosing to see similarities before differences in others, investing in SISTAHOOD and walking away from abusive relationships at the first sight of it.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My fans have played a big role in my success. Anytime I feel alone, or like I am doing this by myself, I get a message or email or reach a certain monumental number of views on youtube or some random Venmo. It’s a reminder to keep going. There are many people who love to sing along with me, and I love them all. They paid for my album to be recorded, and then they turned around and bought it, and that will pay for the next album. I’m grateful!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iamleaanderson.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamleaanderson/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicByLyricLea/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHBPDNuxsNJw4wNaAfykYwA
Link to my album: https://leaandersonmusic.fanlink.to/LeaSings
https://lyriclea.storenvy.com/
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