Colorado is home to up and coming musician Aldo Leopardi. Aldo has an amazing life story and his story is proof that dreams really do come true. Growing up in Adelaide, Austrailia, he became the youngest dentist at the age of 21. In 1999, he discovered the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and decided to make Colorado his home.
With his great success as a leader in the field of dentistry, Aldo never strayed from his love of music. “I’ve always lived a not-so-secret double life. In dental school, I was a bright student with a dark attitude, sitting in the back of the class sporting a black AC/DC muscle t-shirt and a crazed haircut,” said Leopardi. “Today, I’ve toned down the attitude and the haircut a bit, but I’m still absolutely dedicated to my music.” Aldo gigged and recorded his own music concurrently to his studies, and is now a highly specialized dentist in Greenwood Village, Colorado.
His passion for music started when he saw “Jail Break” by AC/DC on television. His mother made his a deal; research and find a suitable guitar teacher and she would support him. At the young of age 10, Aldo began to learn how to play guitar.
I had the opportunity to interview Aldo about his great passion for music and to learn about what's in store for rock music fans. I met Aldo at his dental office, and it is evident that his patients and employees have nothing but respect for him. This talented musician is so passionate about his art, as he told me that it’s “not about the money, but sharing the music.” Aldo wants to get the word out and play real music about sincere real life experiences. He has spent years learning not only about his art, but the business side of music as well.
Aldo’s sophomore release, Villains & Heroes, will be available in stores on August 16th. It is an innovative mixture of rock/alternative music along with edgy subject matters. The EP features five original songs by Aldo and his band. It was produced by Lee Miles (Oh My Stars, Rise Against, Puddle of Mudd). Of his experience of working with Lee, he said “Lee takes songs and transforms them to enhance them with a fresh and edgy feel.”
For Aldo, the Villains & Heroes EP represents his growth as a singer, songwriter and guitarist. The EP also shows the maturation of his increasingly distinctive modern guitar rock sound. “My last record was, in many ways, a tribute to the classic rock musicians that I’ve always idolized,” said Leopardi, who cites AC/DC, The Angels (aka Angel City), Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, David Bowie, The Cars and Stevie Ray Vaughn among his early influences. “But with this latest EP, I’m taking it a step beyond that.”
I asked Aldo about his songwriting process. He told me that all of his songs start out as a guitar idea, then the melody and subject matter, not necessarily in that order. His passion comes out in his music. Aldo told me that he is very proud of the quality of this EP, and “it’s a good record and has something to say.”
Proceeds from the sale of the EP will benefit Paulina’s Promise, a Colorado-based charity that raises funds to support the Cardiac Unit at The Children’s Hospital in Denver. The organization was started by the family of Paulina Radz who was born in 2002 with a congential heart disease. During Paulina's 37 days there, it was the only home she ever knew. The Radz family made a promise to themselves and to Paulina that they would do everything possible to help this facility and children born with congenital heart problems. For more information please visit: www.paulinaspromise.com.
There are a couple of great things to help promote the album. First of all, fans can receive a free download of “Love” by signing up for the mailing list on his website. Secondly, Backslash Records is hosting a contest where fans are invited to submit a video for the EP’s first single, “My Parade.” To enter, create the video and upload it to YouTube. The YouTube video link must then be posted at http://www.facebook.com/AldoLeopardiMusic by October 16, 2011. Clips from the best entries will be combined to create the official music video for the song. Two Grand Prize winners will each receive an iPad 2. Aldo and his band will judge the top five most viewed videos and choose a Grand Prize winner. A second Grand Prize winner will be handpicked by Aldo based on originality and creativity.
Aldo’s life story definitely shows that dreams do come true, and should remind everyone that they should never give up on their dreams. “People told me I couldn’t do both, but you have to make time for what you love.”, Aldo told me. Be sure and pick this album up tomorrow, as I know you won’t be disappointed!
For more information on Aldo: http://www.aldolepardimusic.com
Comments