Meet Leone

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leone.

Hi Leone, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been a lover of music for as long as I can remember. Much of that love started from hearing records like Klymaxx, Dazz Band & Cameo played by my mom around the house.

I started recording music professionally in 2015 once I relocated to the Rock Hill area for college. It took some time for me to cultivate my talents being that I wasn’t much involved in music in my youth but Charlotte-based super-producer Jason Jet was very patient and supportive in helping me start my journey.

Since then, I’ve started a band, played live plenty of times, and released 2 EPs and this is just the very beginning.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has not been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t change it if I had the chance. As cliché as it sounds, all of the people and challenges that I’ve encountered so far have made me the artist that I am today and I’ve come a long way.

As if it’s not hard enough to work toward becoming a full-time artist while working full-time – I’ve also dealt with loss, depression, and self-doubt on numerous occasions within these past 7 years.

Through it all, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to chase what I am passionate about.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a performer, by way of singing, songwriting, and some dancing haha. I love to dabble in any type of music that I feel drawn to, though my first love is funk music.

It’s just something about the way the vocals always pierce through the ears of the listener, usually accompanied by a beat that provokes you to move your body in the most natural way.

A few people that have attended our live shows say they love the chemistry that the band and I seem to have. I don’t always see that with many acts I see play live so I’m always very glad to hear that.

The Ascension, the band I perform live with, and I have an incredible bond and it’s always a great time with them whether we’re working on music or out dancing enjoying each other’s company.

I’ll say I’m most proud of that and how our love for the music translates to the audience, whether the set goes perfectly or not, we’re always having a great time when we’re creating moments together.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The band and I started performing live in 2019 and naturally, we believed that 2020 would be the year for us to take it even further. Though we had a hiatus planned, it went a little longer than anticipated because the universe had other plans.

The most important lesson that I’ve learned from the pandemic is that you can plan for anything, though in order to be successful you have to be able to adapt well to the circumstances that you’re given.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.officialleone.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leone.803/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063607205853
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/LeoneOfficial
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/okczeq719DMTzU3S8

Image Credits
Alvin Fersner and Aliuone Sow