Lukas Rossi
Lukas Rossi |
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Lukas Rossi (born December 21, 1976 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian rock musician and was the winner of the CBS Television reality series Rock Star: Supernova - a televised audition contest to become lead singer of Rock Star Supernova.
Biography
Before 2006, Lukas formed and fronted two bands in Canada. The first was Cleavage (1995-2005) with brothers, Jonathan and Bill Jamieson. In 2005 he partnered with Pulse Ultra's guitarist, Dominic Cifarelli, and his friend, Jay Cianfrini, to form the band, Rise Electric in Montreal.
Lukas earned a publishing deal with EMI Music Canada in 2004 which covers many of the Cleavage tracks as well as all of the Rise Electric music and other songs recently submitted. Lukas Rossi has co-written and appeared with other well-known Canadian bands.
Rossi trained at the Royans School For the Musical Performing Arts with world renowned vocal coach Diana Yampolsky. During his early career, he wrote, produced, recorded, and played with his own band, Cleavage. The Toronto-based band, led by Rossi, won the 'Best Canadian Unsigned Band' award at the 2000 NXNE Music Festival in Toronto. On May 29, 2001 Cleavage released a 6-song debut CD, entitled Cleavage.
After acquiring a publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing Canada in 2004, Rossi worked and wrote with producer Dave Tyson in Los Angeles and later recorded demos with producer Gavin Brown (Billy Talent, Three Days Grace), leading to the formation of the band Rise Electric. Their songs "Lonely Ones", "Crave Me", & "Greatest Day" can be found on Limewire.
Rossi and two of his colleagues, Mike Fox and Gavin Brown, were winners in the 2006 People's Voice International Songwriting Competition for their song, "Drive". It gained third place honors in the Top 40/Pop category and landed Seventh Place in the overall competition.[1]
Rock Star Supernova
While Rise Electric was on hiatus in the spring of 2006, Rossi flew to Los Angeles to compete in the popular television show Rock Star: Supernova, as an audition for a new band composed of Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), Jason Newsted (Metallica), and Gilby Clark (Guns N' Roses). His selection as lead singer of Rock Star Supernova earned Lukas a world tour of the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. As an accomplished and published songwriter, Lukas Rossi was able to offer lyrics and creative input for the album. One of Rossi's own songs, "Headspin", was included. The band completed a worldwide tour in early 2007 with Rossi as their lead singer.
After Rock Star Supernova
After completing his tour, Lukas returned to LA to begin work on his own solo acoustic act. The Love and Lust EP was released in June 2007 and Lukas took to the road. Moving out on his own in the summer of 2007, Rossi released a recording of 4 acoustic tracks on the Love and Lust EP in June. He toured across the US and Canada during the summer, accompanied by keyboard player, Lou Dawson.
Stars Down
Rossi has been working toward releasing an album, titled Mood Swings, and touring with his new band Stars Down. The band consisted of Rossi (vocals, guitar), German Briseño (bass, vocals), with occasional appearances by Lou Dawson (keyboards), and guitars and drums with various musicians. The influences of Lukas' new band, Stars Down, collectively range everywhere from Jeff Buckley to The Cure to Queen. The album was originally scheduled to be released on February 14, 2009 but Rossi has stated it may never see the light of day due to his own disatisfaction with how it turned out. Rossi has a sample of songs from this band available at his website.
Daylight Division
Rossi's newest band, originally called INTerView, started in Summer 2009 consisting of Dave Buckner formerly of Papa Roach and Marcos Curiel from P.O.D. and Joe Loeffler formerly of Chevelle. Lukas has said, "It is the secret weapon god has bestowed upon me. The music is very different and an absolute love of mine..."
Discography
Cleavage
- Cleavage (May 29, 2001)
Rock Star Supernova
- Rock Star Supernova (November 21, 2006 Burnett Records/Epic Records)
Solo
- Love and Lust EP (2007)
Stars Down
Singles
Cleavage
- "Riddled" - Cleavage (2001)
Rock Star Supernova
- "It's All Love" (2006)
- "Be Yourself and 5 Other Cliches" (2006)
- "Headspin" (2007)
- "Can't Bring Myself To Light This Fuse" (2007)
Personal life
Rossi and his wife, Kendra Jade Rossi, maintain a residence in Southern California.
Before hitting big with Rockstar Supernova Rossi worked at a Hooter's restaurant as stated by Lukas on an episode of CBS' Rockstar.
Rossi loves to help people and hopes to "make a change for the better" by supporting a variety of charities[3], including work for the blind as well as several that benefit sick and abused children.[4]
Rossi and his wife are also avid animal lovers & he and his wife own a couple small dogs.
Rossi is left-handed, but is also ambidextrous, as he can play guitar either left or right handed.[5]
Rossi has more than 60 songs protected within the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency[6]
Rossi has also done several animated series opening theme songs such as Beyblade.
He cites Jeff Buckley as a musical influence and occasionally adds Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah[7] to his acoustic performances. He wrote and performed a song at an Ottawa concert on November 25, 2006 which referred to Buckley's death and legacy.
Rossi is quoted in the book, "Intelligent Fear: How to Make Fear work for You" by Michael Clarkson on page 132 talking about his emotional drive.[8]
Notes
- ^ "International Songwriting Competition - Winners". Retrieved 2006-12-06.
- ^ Home page at Starsdowninc.com
- ^ Charity Page at Lukasrossionline.com
- ^ "Rocker pays 'Supernova' visit to young Ottawa fan Lukas Rossi tipped off to boy suffering from rare genetic disorder" Ottawa Citizen July 3 2007
- ^ Tall Poppy Interview from Torontoist.com
- ^ CMRRA - Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency
- ^ Leonard Cohen
- ^ Clarkson, Michael (2003). Intelligent Fear: How to Make Fear Work for You. Marlowe & Company (February 2003). p. 132. ISBN 1569244898.