Laszlo
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2019 | SELF
Music
Press
Canadian indie alt-rocker Laszlo has released his newest single, “Girls on MTV (80s Guy, The Way It Should Be)”, which pays retrospective homage to MTV and its stars. The single is from his most recent EP, All Those Junes Ago, which was released last month.
The song and its lyrical muse take on a whole new meaning when you learn Laszlo grew up in a fundamentalist religious cult, and his access to music — particularly rock music — was a journey all it’s own.
Despite not having much in the way of money, Laszlo’s mother had one requirement of her children — piano and violin lessons. While music of all genres would ultimately play throughout the house, his first CD (Rush’s Farewell to Kings) had to be hidden under his bed and listened to quietly, his ear pressed against the speaker.
Still young and not having the funds for his own guitar, Laszlo was eventually given one from his brother; it had four or five strings, he recalls, and in light of his relentless rock-centric practicing, the family started to come around to his sound.
“Music has been, and always will be, a major part of my life,” Laszlo reflects about his deeply personal connection to the artistic outlet that was there for him when seemingly no-one else was. “Growing up poor and in a religious cult, music was a lifeline for me.”
“Particularly in the past few years, having left a cult and being shunned by my family and friends, songwriting has and continues to be cathartic and healing outlet,” he continues. “It gives me a lot of hope for a better life.”
Check out the single below and find out more about Laszlo via our Five Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Laszlo. I’m a Canadian-born songwriter, producer & musician. At present, I am promoting my new music which I produced and performed myself.
Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.
My music has a prog rock foundation although it would be hard to see sometimes. Rock is the core of my music style but I’m not afraid of ballads or music with a beat to it – I like to think there’s something for everyone. When writing, no matter what the genre, I like to focus on melody and love a big buildup.
Do you have any upcoming shows? For someone who has yet to see you live, how would you explain your live performance?
Yes, I’m playing an acoustic set on March 11th at Corktown (175 Young St.) in Hamilton. And I perform another set on March 15th at Rebel’s Rock (537 King St. E.) in Hamilton. Additional shows and information are posted on my official website at https://laszlo-official.com/home#events
My live performance is meant to be an emotional journey. I want you to feel, to rock, to think, to cry…in the end I want to change your life.
If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?
That’s very hard because my music can be quite diverse. But if you twist my arm, it would be the song Use to Love Me on my ‘Still Rock n’ Roll’ EP. It’s diverse in musicality, has a great buildup, a killer chorus, and a funny storyline. And I also play a bass solo.
Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/ artists?
Hands down! My favourite band of all time is Rush. I even went to the same junior high school as Geddy and Alex. They have been my favourite band since I was 4 or 5 years old and I love all their stuff. The musicality and dedication to be the best musicians, performers and songwriters is an attitude I share with them. Of course, The Hip and Triumph are on my playlist too. - Canadian Beats Magazine
Canadian indie alt rocker Laszlo is paying retrospective homage to MTV and its stars in his latest single, “Girls on MTV (80s Guy, The Way It Should Be)”.
The song and its lyrical muse take on a whole new meaning when you learn Laszlo grew up in a fundamentalist religious cult, and his access to music — particularly rock music — was a journey all its own.
Quick backstory: despite not having much in the way of money, Laszlo’s mother had one requirement of her children — piano and violin lessons. While music of all genres would ultimately play throughout the house, his first CD (Rush’s Farewell to Kings) had to be hidden under his bed and listened to quietly, his ear pressed against the speaker.
Still young and not having the funds for his own guitar, Laszlo was eventually given one from his brother; it had four or five strings, he recalls, and in light of his relentless rock-centric practicing, the family started to come around to his sound.
“Music has been, and always will be, a major part of my life,” Laszlo reflects about his deeply personal connection to the artistic outlet that was there for him when seemingly no-one else was. “Growing up poor and in a religious cult, music was a lifeline for me.
“Particularly in the past few years, having left a cult and being shunned by my family and friends, songwriting has and continues to be cathartic and healing outlet,” he continues. “It gives me a lot of hope for a better life.”
“Girls on MTV” is but a snippet of what’s on deck for the Toronto-based music man. Part of his recent album release, All Those Junes Ago, the single lands as a rockin’, riveting throwback to the 80s and the music entertainment machine of yesteryear.
Watch and listen to “Girls on MTV” here:
https://youtu.be/Ct7khnpwxM8
Also released on streaming platforms this year are additional albums, My Time Has Come and Still Rock N’ Roll. “These projects represent my desire to have the freedom to make the music I want, when I want,” he explains. “Being in a band and writing with other people was always the ‘dream’ but my life had a lot of twists and turns that made that scenario impractical. So I took the time to learn all of the instruments myself, record myself, write all the lyrics myself, etc.
“I would say my songs reflect my unique experiences of growing up in — and then leaving — that (religious) movement. Some songs are funny, some are serious. With my music, I hope the joy, sorrow, and healing will reflect in the listeners’ own life experiences…
“But of course, music should be fun, exciting and hopeful.
For more visit:
https://laszlo-official.com/
https://www.facebook.com/laszloofficialpage/
https://open.spotify.com/album/0jBf6yctnemhncSaobOBxH - Record World Magazine
Canadian indie alt-rocker Laszlo is paying retrospective homage to MTV and its stars in his latest single, “Girls on MTV (80s Guy, The Way It Should Be)”.
The song and its lyrical muse take on a whole new meaning when you learn Laszlo grew up in a fundamentalist religious cult, and his access to music — particularly rock music — was a journey all its own.
Quick backstory: despite not having much in the way of money, Laszlo’s mother had one requirement of her children — piano and violin lessons. While the music of all genres would ultimately play throughout the house, his first CD (Rush’s Farewell to Kings) had to be hidden under his bed and listened to quietly, his ear pressed against the speaker.
Still young and not having the funds for his own guitar, Laszlo was eventually given one from his brother; it had four or five strings, he recalls, and in light of his relentless rock-centric practicing, the family started to come around to his sound.
“Music has been, and always will be, a major part of my life,” Laszlo reflects about his deeply personal connection to the artistic outlet that was there for him when seemingly no-one else was. “Growing up poor and in a religious cult, music was a lifeline for me.
“Particularly in the past few years, having left a cult and being shunned by my family and friends, songwriting has and continues to be a cathartic and healing outlet,” he continues. “It gives me a lot of hope for a better life.”
“Girls on MTV” is but a snippet of what’s on deck for the Toronto-based music man. Part of his recent album release, All Those Junes Ago, the single lands as a-rockin', riveting throwback to the 80s and the music entertainment machine of yesteryear.
Watch and listen to “Girls on MTV” here:
https://youtu.be/Ct7khnpwxM8
Also released on streaming platforms this year are additional albums, My Time Has Come and Still Rock N’ Roll. “These projects represent my desire to have the freedom to make the music I want, when I want,” he explains. “Being in a band and writing with other people was always the ‘dream’ but my life had a lot of twists and turns that made that scenario impractical. So I took the time to learn all of the instruments myself, record myself, write all the lyrics myself, etc.
“I would say my songs reflect my unique experiences of growing up in — and then leaving — that (religious) movement. Some songs are funny, some are serious. With my music, I hope the joy, sorrow, and healing will reflect in the listeners’ own life experiences…
“But of course, music should be fun, exciting and hopeful.
For more visit:
laszlo-official.com/
facebook.com/laszloofficialpage/
open.spotify.com/album/0jBf6yctnemhncSaobOBxH - Cashbox Magazine Canada
The Toronto alt-rocker revisits the ’80s on this cut from his disc All Those Junes Ago.
Canadian alt-rocker Laszlo is paying retrospective homage to MTV and its stars in his blast-from-the-past single Girls on MTV (80s Guy, The Way It Should Be) — showcasing today on Tinnitist!
The song and its lyrical muse take on a whole new meaning when you learn Laszlo grew up in a fundamentalist religious cult, and his access to music — particularly rock music — was a journey all its own. Quick backstory: Despite not having much in the way of money, Laszlo’s mother had one requirement of her children — piano and violin lessons. While music of all genres would ultimately play throughout the house, his first CD (Rush’s Farewell to Kings) had to be hidden under his bed and listened to quietly, his ear pressed against the speaker. Still young and not having the funds for his own guitar, Laszlo was eventually given one from his brother; it had four or five strings, he recalls, and in light of his relentless rockcentric practising, the family started to come around to his sound.
“Music has been, and always will be, a major part of my life,” Laszlo reflects about his deeply personal connection to the artistic outlet that was there for him when seemingly no-one else was. “Growing up poor and in a religious cult, music was a lifeline for me. Particularly in the past few years, having left a cult and being shunned by my family and friends, songwriting has and continues to be cathartic and healing outlet,” he continues. “It gives me a lot of hope for a better life.”
Girls on MTV is but a snippet of what’s on deck for the Toronto-based music man. Part of his recent album release All Those Junes Ago, the single lands as a rockin’, riveting throwback to the ’80s and the music entertainment machine of yesteryear. Also released on streaming platforms this year were the albums My Time Has Come and Still Rock N’ Roll. “These projects represent my desire to have the freedom to make the music I want, when I want,” he explains. “Being in a band and writing with other people was always the ‘dream’ but my life had a lot of twists and turns that made that scenario impractical. So I took the time to learn all of the instruments myself, record myself, write all the lyrics myself, etc.
“I would say my songs reflect my unique experiences of growing up in — and then leaving — that (religious) movement. Some songs are funny, some are serious. With my music, I hope the joy, sorrow, and healing will reflect in the listeners’ own life experiences … But of course, music should be fun, exciting and hopeful. Having journeyed this far, I feel I’ve only just begun to live. Rock n’ roll for life!”
Watch Girls on MTV above, check out All Those Junes Ago below, and keep up with Laszlo on his website and Facebook.
https://laszlo-official.com
https://www.facebook.com/laszloofficialpage/ - Tinnitist
Discography
LP: The Sky Is Falling...Again (2008)
EP: Still Rock n' Roll (Feb 7, 2020)
EP: All Those Junes Ago (Feb 7, 2020)
EP: My Time Has Come (Feb 7, 2020)
Photos
Bio
Laszlo is a songwriter and musician from Toronto, Ontario Canada. He has written a catalogue of over 100 songs from rock to reggae to instrumental compositions. Laszlo performed regularly in Toronto's live music circuit at iconic venues such as the El Mocambo, Lee's Palace and the Horseshoe Tavern, and toured across Canada to promote his debut album "The Sky is Falling...Again".
Laszlo enjoys all genres of music and is an avid fan of Rush, The Beatles, Blondie, and composers such as Hans Zimmer and Handel to name a few.
A classically trained pianist, Laszlo also plays guitar, bass guitar and drums. He performs all vocals and instrumentation, and is the producer on all his albums.
Laszlo is gearing up to promote his much anticipated EP titled "All Those Junes Ago", with acoustic performances starting in November.
Subscribe at www.Laszlo-Official.com for all the latest news.
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