Meet Leila Addams of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leila Addams

Hi Leila, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started singing and dancing instinctively as far back as I can remember, back to when I was a toddler. Music and movement always came natural to me and I can confidently say I was born with the passion to create and perform. It was something innate and unexplainable. I began playing the piano at 8-years-old and soon after, began writing my own song lyrics. I also learned to dance professionally around this same time. Enthusiastic about music and driven to learn more, I sought out opportunities as a child to explore not only vocal performance but also recording music. When I was 13-years-old, I began recording cover songs of other artists in order to learn about the recording process. After that, I began writing and recording my own original music. I have created songs in many genres, but my heart always gravitated to rock music and songs filled with emotion. So I sought to create rock songs, and I did, up until I no longer had full family support in the pursuit of my dreams. Unwillingly, I then created a new path, replacing my dreams with an approved route by my family and my culture. I became successful in what I was expected to do instead of what I wanted to do, which was pursing my music. Successful, but not happy, and not feeling authentic to myself. I went to college, got my Masters degree, and even my Doctorate. I went all the way. I became a psychologist, was teaching and supervising graduate students at a university, all while running my own private practice. I still pursued music and dance as a “hobby,” but it was not the same. Life hit me hard when I woke up one day and questioned myself- whose life was I living? What was I doing all of this for? The stark realization that I had given up my own goals and passions in order to appease my family and my culture was something I could not sit with. I no longer wanted to continue to be someone I was not and I no longer wanted to live a life that solely fell in line with the parameters set by my culture and community. I knew in my heart and soul that I would never forgive myself for not pursuing what I wanted, full force. So I slowly made a change, I started teaching dance instead of psychology. I started writing and recording again. And as I slowly gained my true identity back, the identity and mask I had worked very hard to wear fell off of me like a ton of bricks falling off of my shoulders- and it was the greatest relief I have ever felt. Now, I am pursuing my music full time. I released my self-titled EP, Leila Addams, on July 19th 2024. I have two music videos released, with more on the way. And I have more original music to be released later this year. I finally feel one with myself, authentic, true, and free. This was the best decision I ever made for myself and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think any road is smooth in life, especially one truly worth traveling and fighting for. It definitely has not been a smooth road for me. My life has been filled with difficult obstacles and decisions, especially in regards to pursuing my music career. In my culture, everyone kind of falls and fits into a box set up for them by society and the community. Becoming a doctor, lawyer, or engineer would seem to bring happiness to my family, making us seem worthy to the community as a whole. Anything other than the expected route can result in a sense of shame or embarrassment for being “different”- this is the mentality that most people in my culture are raised with. Letting go of my professional career was not easy, especially with so much disapproval around me, but it was necessary for my soul. I don’t believe it is my job to fit into any box, seek worth in the eyes of people, or bring pride to my family through my achievements. It is easy to say this, but not so easy to break the mold- especially when young and without support. I do think that my education and profession in psychology gave me not only the insight, but the strength I needed in order to make this change for myself. I don’t take the years of academic training and experience for granted, as it made me who I am today- someone strong, determined, and unwilling to be inauthentic. The anxiety, overthinking, and nagging thoughts about what others might think or how they might judge me are all still there- but I try to pay them no mind because I finally fully realize that I am living my life for me and it doesn’t really matter what others think or say. Still, it is not easy to let go of a career that so much time, effort, investment, and hard work went into. This is where my work as a psychologist came into play once more, encouraging me to make a change. I used to work with people who were close to death and dying. A common thread and running theme between almost all of my patients was that they reflected on what they wished they would have achieved or experienced, and can no longer do. For years, the thought of me on my death bed, in tears because I threw away my music career, haunted me. Not pursuing my music would be my one biggest regret in life. If I had not taken this huge and difficult leap of faith, believing in myself and disciplining my mind in order to focus on this goal that I literally feel is my life’s mission and soul’s purpose, that vision would still be haunting me today. There have been many struggles and bumps indeed, but I am thankful for them all- as I am who I am now, here, in this very moment, because of them.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Hi! I am Leila Addams and I am a rock singer/songwriter. I make hard rock music with dark vibes and undertones. I am most known for my descriptive and emotion filled lyrics, capturing heartbreak, emotional struggles, mental health, and other difficulties we experience in life. I am most proud of how every aspect of my music is driven by me and that I have full creative control as an independent artist. Not only do I write my own music, I co-produce and create the mood for each song. I plan out and give my full creative vision and direction for every photoshoot, every music video, and everything else related to my music. What I see in my mind’s eye is what comes to life in everything that I create. Something I love about what I do is that I also incorporate dance into my musical performances- this is usually seen in other genres, but rarely in rock. Incorporating dance along with my music has always been important to me, as I am also a dancer and have been dancing my whole life. All of these aspects definitely set me apart as an artist. My music is dark, intense, emotional, powerful, and real- so if you are ready to dive in deep, this is for you!

What do you like and dislike about the city?
My favorite things about our city would be the landscape- the trees, the flowers, the beach, the mountains. We have it all here in terms of nature. We also have some of the best sushi restaurants here in LA, hands down. I would say the valley has my favorite sushi spots in LA. Something I dislike about our city is how far spread out everything is. I wish that the city was smaller and everything a bit closer together, making things more easily accessible. I also dislike how fast paced life is here. I enjoy pausing and taking life in- there are no pauses in LA.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/leilaaddams
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leilaaddamsmusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeilaAddamsMusic
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/leila-addams
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/24j0OvVL1ZgQbx6CSRk0Rx

Image Credits
Gabe Bernard
Daniel Villanueva
GRK Production