Lydia is an indie rock band formed in the Gilbert, a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona. The group is comprised of Leighton Antelman (lead vocals, guitar), Matt Keller (keyboard, guitar, programming), Justin Camacho (guitar), Shawn Strader (bass guitar), and Evan Chapman (drums). We had the pleasure of sitting down with Leighton to talk about Lydia, their tour, and the group’s upcoming projects.
When asked what artist the band’s music most resembles, Leighton said, “I think that’s a question for anyone besides the person making the music – the listener doesn’t have a bias or agenda when associating artists with one another.” Growing up, he was “fascinated” by live music – anything ranging from punk rock to doo-wop music all through middle school. The group would love to collaborate with Kanye West in the future.
Lydia began when Leighton and a high school friend started performing together. They toured through the US for a few years and the rest began to fall into place – “We kept making music, and people seemed to continue to give a damn.” Since forming, the band has changed its sound as each member has matured. Leighton appreciates the space the group gives him to be wildly creative – “I like to actively be absurd in my writing and let the other people, and my team, pull me back to what reality is and what will actually work musically. Hopefully none of us ever loses that – this place is too ridiculous and incredible not to absolutely enjoy it.”
The current group has toured the US, Canada, UK, parts of Europe, and Australia. Leighton doesn’t have a favorite region – “Every place has such different vibes and really interesting unique things about them. I like the people of these places – they’re so interesting to meet.” Their 2016 tour, promoting their newest album “Run Wild,” featured numerous other performers and strings onstage. These made for dynamic and interesting rehearsal sessions and allowed for more fans to interact with the set during the shows.
Leighton remains grateful for the opportunity to play music as a career – “It’s one of those things that I’d be doing even if I were a banker or fisherman or whatever; it’s something that would come out of me regardless.” He also appreciates the variability of the job: “Something I really enjoy out of this being my current career…there is zero chance of knowing what might come next.” When writing, he finds that inspiration can be very fleeting, and therefore doesn’t wait around to go write a song, saying this adds stress and puts unnecessary strain on the creative process. “I just look around at this place – how could you not be inspired. Sometimes I just mess around with things that make noises. Great things come out of simply putting in the time and effort.”
The group’s favorite thing about performing is “the raw unfiltered connection you get to experience.” Leighton gushed: “There really isn’t anything I’ve found in life yet that has let me connect on such a deep level with so many people, all at once, and with hundreds of people in the same room feet away from each other.” He said their different songs on tour allow for different fans to react and share their extremely personal stories with the group – “I will one day truly miss that.”
Outside of music, Leighton loves sports – his dad was the most athletic guy he can think of, and he recalls “being in sports with my brothers as far back as I can remember.” Playing pickup basketball with his friends is one of his favorite pastimes.
Moving into the new year, Leighton will be working on the new Lydia album, set for release in early 2017. He’ll also be working on music for The Cinema, an indie pop collaboration between Leighton and producer/songwriter Matt Malpass. Because the two projects involve totally different people, the combination offers “a nice break and different perspectives on both to go back and forth between the two.” He’s consistently driven to create “something I’m proud of – to make something that is honest and cuts through the mundane.” On his evident decision to break out of the mold, Leighton says, “I want my music to either fail or succeed. Being safe is a terrible thing.”
Leighton, we can’t wait to see what you bring us in 2017 with Lydia and The Cinema. Check out Lydia’s big songs below, and look out for the group’s new album in the next few months!
When asked what artist the band’s music most resembles, Leighton said, “I think that’s a question for anyone besides the person making the music – the listener doesn’t have a bias or agenda when associating artists with one another.” Growing up, he was “fascinated” by live music – anything ranging from punk rock to doo-wop music all through middle school. The group would love to collaborate with Kanye West in the future.
Lydia began when Leighton and a high school friend started performing together. They toured through the US for a few years and the rest began to fall into place – “We kept making music, and people seemed to continue to give a damn.” Since forming, the band has changed its sound as each member has matured. Leighton appreciates the space the group gives him to be wildly creative – “I like to actively be absurd in my writing and let the other people, and my team, pull me back to what reality is and what will actually work musically. Hopefully none of us ever loses that – this place is too ridiculous and incredible not to absolutely enjoy it.”
The current group has toured the US, Canada, UK, parts of Europe, and Australia. Leighton doesn’t have a favorite region – “Every place has such different vibes and really interesting unique things about them. I like the people of these places – they’re so interesting to meet.” Their 2016 tour, promoting their newest album “Run Wild,” featured numerous other performers and strings onstage. These made for dynamic and interesting rehearsal sessions and allowed for more fans to interact with the set during the shows.
Leighton remains grateful for the opportunity to play music as a career – “It’s one of those things that I’d be doing even if I were a banker or fisherman or whatever; it’s something that would come out of me regardless.” He also appreciates the variability of the job: “Something I really enjoy out of this being my current career…there is zero chance of knowing what might come next.” When writing, he finds that inspiration can be very fleeting, and therefore doesn’t wait around to go write a song, saying this adds stress and puts unnecessary strain on the creative process. “I just look around at this place – how could you not be inspired. Sometimes I just mess around with things that make noises. Great things come out of simply putting in the time and effort.”
The group’s favorite thing about performing is “the raw unfiltered connection you get to experience.” Leighton gushed: “There really isn’t anything I’ve found in life yet that has let me connect on such a deep level with so many people, all at once, and with hundreds of people in the same room feet away from each other.” He said their different songs on tour allow for different fans to react and share their extremely personal stories with the group – “I will one day truly miss that.”
Outside of music, Leighton loves sports – his dad was the most athletic guy he can think of, and he recalls “being in sports with my brothers as far back as I can remember.” Playing pickup basketball with his friends is one of his favorite pastimes.
Moving into the new year, Leighton will be working on the new Lydia album, set for release in early 2017. He’ll also be working on music for The Cinema, an indie pop collaboration between Leighton and producer/songwriter Matt Malpass. Because the two projects involve totally different people, the combination offers “a nice break and different perspectives on both to go back and forth between the two.” He’s consistently driven to create “something I’m proud of – to make something that is honest and cuts through the mundane.” On his evident decision to break out of the mold, Leighton says, “I want my music to either fail or succeed. Being safe is a terrible thing.”
Leighton, we can’t wait to see what you bring us in 2017 with Lydia and The Cinema. Check out Lydia’s big songs below, and look out for the group’s new album in the next few months!
