Today we’d like to introduce you to LeeAnn León.
LeeAnn, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My music journey started one day when a few classmates and I were asked to choose one of four instruments on a table and my 7-year-old self chose whichever was the shiniest!
Playing the trumpet opened up so many doors during my childhood and adolescence, I can’t even recall how many music programs I performed in and I’m thankful for each and every one of them!
After 14 years, I decided to put down the trumpet once I completed my music minor at Long Beach State and started picking up more rock instruments like guitar, bass, and drums and jamming with friends along the way.
Being around even MORE shiny new music gear while working at Guitar Center as a part-time Sales Associate really helped me learn what gizmos and gadgets make up the different iconic sounds we’ve always heard in rock and pop music. Selling gear also helped me get acquainted with a ton of the hidden gems in the local music scene!
As I was nearing the end of my time at CSULB, a couple of my local artist friends began reaching out to me to help them out with their band’s presence which led to my “paying-my-dues-by-wearing-all-of-the-hats-in-the-music-industry-era.” This was where I REALLY took a full dive crash course on many music roles from band management to selling merch at shows, music production, session recording, and ultimately landing in PR and marketing!
Since the pandemic started, the live music industry has shifted a bit so I decided to take advantage by starting a little Instagram account called “LGBT Music History,” where I showcase musicians from the LGBTQ+ Community and go over their contributions to music of all genres one day at a time!
I truly owe it all to my second-grade teacher, Blanca Pelayo for even considering me for my elementary school’s music program. Thank you so much for caring so much about your students and for opening up avenues for us at such a young age! You’re truly the best! 🙂
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Great question! I’d have to say yes and no.
I’m pretty big on identities in different spaces and the privilege you may or may not receive from those identities in those spaces.
As a White-Latinx person, a lot of the “smoother” days were when I was a kid in majority Latinx spaces were having light skin and long straight hair was very much favored in the culture.
I’ve also experienced the more “rocky” roads later in life in mostly white male-centered spaces where I felt like I wasn’t really taken seriously and had to put in even more work just to appear as adequate as the guys in these spaces.
Looking back, I’ve definitely experienced more privilege as a White-Latinx person and I want to work on helping change that, especially in the music industry where it’s painfully obvious how biased things are! I think people with some form of privilege need to step up and make things smoother in these spaces for our less privileged friends!
Please tell us about LGBT Music History.
Over the past couple of decades, press and publications have had a tendency to label musicians and celebrities with large queer fanbases as “Gay Icons” while brushing over some real talented LGBTQ Icons!
LGBT Music History is my music history Instagram account where I showcase musicians from the LGBTQ+ Community who’ve made major contributions to the many of the music genres we listen to today!
Chances are there are a lot more LGBTQ artists than we know of and I feel like they need to be celebrated!
I’ll also be showcasing “smaller” LGBTQ+ artists from all over the world in the near future (so definitely send me DM if you know someone who would like to be a part of that)! 🙂
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
There’s really no set path you HAVE to follow when it comes to the music industry like there are in other professional fields so I feel like every milestone you cross comes from chance!
Sometimes you know people, sometimes you don’t and you have to throw yourself in the ring and take what comes at you!
I had a very insightful conversation with Kevin Lyman (the father of Warped Tour) once and he said, “If a train stops in front of you, and the door opens up, get on!”
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lgbt_music/
Image Credit:
Daisy Ramos
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