Geoff Antonio

Exclusive Interview

Tell us about where you are from and how you got to this position today?
We are from Los Angeles, city of hopes and dreams. It is also the city of broken dreams. We got to where we are by a lot of hard work and dedication to the music. This means long hours of studio time, producing the track so it can be as hot as it should be. Also doing a lot of live shows through out the southwest territory and all the way to New York. The live shows it what drives new fans to us, as we are hard to deny in concert. We have a full backing band that lays with us and turn it out just as hard as any other band out there. The shows and dedication to the studio is the formula so far.

What are you currently working on and what can we expect to see?
We are finishing up the album “El Clasico” which has been in the works for a minute. We will have a new single called She Wants 2… coming out in the next month or so along with a new video. The album is a great blend of hip-hop and pop music with Latin influences. Our fans have dubbed us the “Brown Eyed Peas” since we have multiple vocalist and catchy songs like the Peas. The album is solid and we called it “El Clasico” because we feel it is a classic. Something that we will look back 10 to 20 years from now and know that it’s a solid album. We are also working on our live DVD / CD that will be available this summer. This will be a live concert we filmed at House of Blues shot by an amazing director. This really captures the live energy of an LSA show, which is the hot point for LSA, live shows is where it’s at.

Tell us about one of the hardest challenges you had to face in the industry?
Rejection, coming very close to “making it” but not quite close enough. Back in the day I tried out to play bass for this Hip-hop / Rock band. The music was amazing and I really enjoyed playing with them. The bonus was they already had a record deal with Warner Bros and needed a solid bass player. As I played with them a few times I realized the band was split on taking me in. The MC named Mike and drummer Brad where into me a lot, but the rest of the band was luke warm about me. We kept in touch for a few months and then I didn’t hear from them for a while. Few months later I’m driving down Sunset Blvd and I hear this amazing band on KROQ that used to be called Hybrid Theory now called Linkin Park ! My heart dropped to the floor when I realized they had made it without me and that was very hard to take in. You can only imagine the torture I went through over the next few years when they had hit after hit. I had to handle it in stride and realize that it wasn’t meant to be and keep moving forward. The main thing is getting past those hard times and focusing on your music to get you through it.

What was one of the biggest set backs in your career and how did you bounce back?
I think almost having a record deal through Teddy Riley at 17, realizing how tough this music industry is when it didn’t work out. I had never taken music serious up until that had happened. After that I was hooked on music. The key is just being productive and focusing on new music. Anybody can sit there and feel bad for themselves, that’s not what I am about. I love music and that is what bounces me back every time.

What are some things artists need to be careful of?
Don’t sign anything without a lawyer. I have turned down deals that didn’t feel right, a lot of times you have to go by instinct. Most deals are shady, that is what lawyers are for. There is a book called Million Dollar Mistakes that will show you what to look out for. In one bad decision you could tie up your entire career. Also keep your publishing, this is very crucial. Unless someone is offering you big bucks for your publishing don’t give it up. There’s a lot of artist who wish they would have done that that are broke today.

What suggestions do you have for other artists like yourself?
Stay strong, develop thick skin, keep your grind up daily. Artist that succeed today are just as good as business people as they are artist. Diddy, 50 Cent, and Jay-Z are just a few artist that have proven that. Learn about the business, know as much as you can. The more you know the better deal you will get involved with.

What are the best ways to sell your products as an artist?
Online and at shows is what it breaks down to for LSA. Shows are a great way to sell new product and merchandise. People get hyped watching your show, it’s like you just performed the greatest infomercial in front them now you ask them to come over and say hello at your merch table. Once they are there, even it was just to day hello, they will want to contribute in some way. That’s your best bet as far as selling products.

What is one of your favorite ways to promote yourself and your music?
For LSA, it’s about the shows. I think we have had a big crossover from other styles of music. We have played with everybody from Hip-Hop to Heavy Rock music and it seems that we are always able to get fans from other artist who are interested in LSA. Another great way we will be promoting is releasing mix tapes every other month, putting our spin on other people’s beats. Something people are familiar with but it get’s us to showcase our take on it. We also like to perform for charity events, it’s a great way to connect to new fans through a great cause.

Any last comments or statements?
Definitely keep a look out for us as we will be performing and releasing a lot of new music this year. Our album “El Clasico” is coming out in May, along with our new single “She Wants 2…”. Add us on our sites facebook.com/lsamusic, twitter.com/lsamusicforever, youtube.com/teamlsatv - WWS Magazine

A Latin Invasion is about to rock the Imperial Valley as LSA will perform in El Centro next week for the first time ever.

The Latin Supremo All-Stars will perform for the first time in the Imperial Valley this February 19th delivering Latin hip-hop, cumbia, R&B, salsa and a lot of energy at their concert.

“I like to describe LSA music as “Hip-POP with a Latin influences”. Imagine the Black Eye Peas with Carlos Santana and Ozomatli all in one band. We want our live performances to have just as much energy as those artists. My motivation for the album and LSA in general wanted to put out really good and energetic music for people all over the world. Mixing the lyrics with English and Spanish would enable us to get our music out on an international level. This would have something with flavor for la raza and everybody from different backgrounds to connect to.” Said group leader and creator, Geoff Antonio.

LSA performed last month at the Los Angeles House of Blues with all sellout crowds watching them perform. The group will be going to Puerto Rico this March as part of the Latin Billboard Conference to perform and look to start relationships with record labels. They are one of only five groups selected to play at the showcase.

“All the power players in the Latin music industry will be there. This will help be an introduction for us to the industry to let them know we are here and ready to get into the game. Well be there for about a week and will probably perform some additional dates outside of the conference. Puerto Rico has a strong influence on Latin Urban music. We would like to go there to not only spread our music on the island, but to also show that people from Cali can bring it on a big level in Latin Urban music too. I think if we can influence Puerto Rico that will spill back over into the states in places like New York and Miami. This would make a lot more potential fans aware of us and possibly begin a music relationship with them that will last for a long time.” Geoff said.

Calexico resident Sarah Tirado is part of LSA and will perform for the first time in the Imperial Valley. Tirado is a Calexico High School graduate Class of 1998 and has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Cal State Fullerton. Tirado has also pursued a career in the entertainment industry by participating in theater, signing, and acting. Tirado’s motivation to be successful in this endeavor is to support her family and in the future give back to Calexico by creating opportunities and programs for the youth.

“I think Sky is the limit with LSA.” Tirado said, “we are a very close group and were always pushing a motivating each other to do better. I hope that in five years we can be on tour and making money. As long we are together as a band we are happy”

Tirado auditioned for the lead singer role and was accepted to the group thanks to her solid background and talent. “Its been a real pleasure working with Sarah. I met her through an ad I put out online looking for a female vocalist for LSA. I auditioned around 30 vocalists. It came down to her and two other singers. I ultimately chose Sarah because she could not only sing, but she had business smarts as well. I needed somebody who had the full package and she has it. She has a very sweet voice that is real innocent and young sounding. She can also dance very well, which is something I wanted. When you come to an LSA show you’re going to be entertained fully…dancing, music, full band, three vocalists….all coming at you at one time.” Geoff said.

LSA will perform Friday, Feb. 19th at Puerto Nuevo in El Centro; tickets at the door cost $7 and the concert will start at 9pm. - Tribune Weekly Chronicle