Hey hey hey!
We’re back again with another #ATBAFeatures! In an effort to make this as gender balanced as possible, I’ve been on the lookout for males to feature. (If you know anyone let me know) Luckily, Lesroy was one of the few who crossed my mind and happily agreed to answering a few questions. I can’t remember exactly how we met, but from watching him *not in a creepy way* on social media I can definitely see his growth in the music industry.
Meet Lesroy,
L: Who am I? I can honestly describe myself as a tenacious individual whose love for art is only surpassed by my spiritual relationship as well as the love for my wife and family! I’m a 26 (I just had to ask someone to confirm my age) year old Antiguan Producer, Musician & Musical Director with an Associate’s degree in Marketing.
What drove you to pursue music as a career? Has it always been your dream, if not, how did it happen?
I knew music played a major role in my life when I was faced with the decision of either going to a very late rehearsal or studying for an Accounting final. I really hated accounting and my grades were janky all semester but I went to rehearsal anyway. I inevitably failed and had to spend AN ENTIRE EXTRA SEMESTER to redo the course! To this day, I still don’t regret it!
Before we get any further, what type of music do you play or produce?
Crossover, CCM, R&B, Hiphop, Trap, Soca, Dancehall and Classical. 2018 all I produced was R&B & Hiphop. Plus the thought of being in a box propels me.
Briefly, tell us about your journey thus far; What has been your fondest moment?
It’s been scary if I’m being honest. I’ll never forget the day I took the big jump; I was in Teacher’s training first semester. My love for kids and the thought of imparting my love for art made me want to pursue this degree (teachers’ salaries are ridiculously low for what we endure, however, that’s another story). I sat in that class and just felt like I didn’t belong. During the summer I got married and my wife migrated to Antigua because I had a steady job. The thought of now telling this extra human I don’t wanna do the very thing that pays our bills was nerve wrecking but I stepped out of class and called her. As per usual she was very supportive but, she’s a realist so we had to figure out how exactly things were gonna work out. I had a NY tour coming up and she decided she’d go back to Trinidad until that was completed so she could spend Christmas with her folks. I remember packing for a month, finishing the tour then heading to Trinidad and staying there for almost 16 months. At this point nothing was planned but I pride myself on being a man who provides plus my grandma would turn in her grave if I stayed in someone’s house and not contribute to bills and expenses, so I started working super hard. Studio sessions every night, taking over her family’s living room so I could work and I even started writing music and arranging shows for other artists, to this day it’s all I do and I cant wait until 40/50 years from now my kids can look back and see that daddy took a risk on his abilities and believed in himself.
What was one of your biggest obstacles faced throughout your journey, and how did you overcome it?
Convincing my parents that this is what I want to do. It’s almost impossible to tell your parents that the years you spent in school don’t really matter now and you wanna make music and travel the world for a living. Initially my parents would’ve loved if I secured a government job and collected a pension at 60. My dad was the first to stop and say “wait dey a ebry week you pan plane man. Somn a happen?!” Even now he still offers support and encouragement when he sees necessary, my mom aint completely with it yet, she’d always let me know when an office is hiring.
What’s one misconception people have about your line of work?
That it’s not valuable or sustainable. Although it has its dips, sometimes I take home my old monthly net pay from three days of work.
What has surprised you the most while working in the music industry?
How fickle humans are.
How do you balance your time between music and living life?
Nowadays, I’ve been doing quite well if I do say so myself. I have a baby on the way now so I’m practicing how to prioritize my time and make family moments valuable even before she arrives.
Do you have a mantra in which you live by or what keeps you going?
I got two actually one of which someone said I should copyright; they are Stay Tenacious & Win and Thrive or Lose and Learn
A piece of advice you’d like to share with other young adults wanting to get into the music industry?
Social Media is a lie, keep your head down, work super hard, attract positive energy, practise good business ethics, save for rainy days and BE NICE TO PEOPLE!
Thank you so much for sharing your story, looking forward to more of your social media posts and following along on your journey.
Keep up with Lesory on social media:
Instagram –
Personal – Lessy_ap
Music Production – AudioPredators
Facebook
Twitter
As Told by Ali 