Born on in Shreveport, Louisiana, Lee Agnew aka L.C. was named after his grandfather, a very successful musician and business owner, who is now in the Hall Of Fame. From there Lee was brought to his hometown in Zwolle, LA at the age of two. After living in a broken home, L.C. then moved in with his grandmother in their small trailer at the end of North Main Street. His grandmother took him in and raised him after his parents went their separate ways. He lived in a painful and stressful environment, soon discovering poetry. At the age of 8, he would write poetry all through the night.
At the age of 16, LC had been inspired and influenced by artists such as Kid Rock, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Lil Wayne, Lil Wyte, Papa Roach, Staind, Linkin Park, and 3 Doors Down. He soon started home recording his music and sharing with friends and family. LC’s wants to change the face of music like no other rap artist ever has. He wants to reach out to people that has been in a similar situation as him and make them feel what he feels, through his music. In an exclusive interview, Lee Agnew aka L.C. gave us a better insight into his world.
- How long have you been in the music business and how did you get started in the first place?
LC AGNEW: 7 years. I started writing poetry, so I decided to turn my thoughts into music. It really worked out for me so I decided to follow my dream.
- Who were your first musical influences that you can remember?
LC AGNEW: Eminem, Kid rock, Staind, Lil Wyte, Dr Dre, NWA.
- Which artists are you currently listening to? And is there anyone of these that you’d like to collaborate with?
LC AGNEW: I listen to a lot of Eminem and Lil Wayne. I wouldn’t mind doing some work with both of them.
- Have you suffered any ‘resistance’ from within the industry, and if so how have you handled that, and how do you handle criticism and haters in general?
LC AGNEW: yes a lot of it. I just try my best to keep my head up and continue bringing music to my fans. Haters and criticism, I don’t handle it all too well. When it’s coming straight at me, I tend to do the same thing back at who ever. I’m not the type to just sit back and let who ever disrespect me in any kinda way.
- What are your thoughts on visual media? Do think that video is an appropriate marketing tool for your music, and will you be making any videos to support your latest releases?
LC AGNEW: I think visual media is a great way to promote” Any” song. Honestly, I think it’s the best way to promote your album. Gives your fans an idea of what your album is gonna sound like. Yes, sometime in the near future.
- Which do you ultimately prefer? Entertaining a live audience or creating songs in a studio setting?
LC AGNEW: personally, I’m more into recording in the studio.
- Tell us something about your lyrics and music production on your releases. Which part of these processes do you handle, and which do you outsource generally?
LC AGNEW: When it comes to my instrumentals, I try to get something going with a scary/storytelling vibe. Maybe with pianos and strings. I basically write to where the listener can feel every word I speak, maybe stuff like what the average person goes through daily. If people can relate to your music, then it’s common sense that they will buy it, PERIOD. Sometimes I make my own beats, but I usually just get exclusives from real producers.
- What is the title of your latest music release and where can fans find it?
LC AGNEW: Album: “What Did You Expect.” You can find the songs off the album at www.reverbnation.com/agnewm80
- Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in a genre thriving with newcomers?
LC AGNEW: Unlike most recording artists, I have my own unique sound. Most of them try to sound like other artists and most of them do. Everyone that’s heard my music has told me I have my own sound.
- If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to be a part of this tough business. Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?
LC AGNEW: Passion. Because if I had a million dollars and I fell off, I’d be the most miserable person in the world. To me, it’s for the love, and getting paid for it is good, but that’s the last thing on my mind.
- Which aspect of being an independent artist and the music making process excites you most and which aspect discourages you most?
LC AGNEW: Just wondering how my material is gonna sound after its all finished. Only thing that discourages me is when I try to write, and I can’t really come up with nothing.
- How do you market and manage your music career? Do you have a management team or do you do everything by yourself?
LC AGNEW: I’ve basically been doing everything by myself ever since I started doing music.
- How do you achieve your sound? Do you work from a private recording environment or do you use a commercial sound studio?
LC AGNEW: I have my own private recording workstation. I use cool edit pro. I’ve never even recorded in a real studio.
- The best piece of advice in this business you actually followed so far, and one you didn’t follow, but now know for sure that you should have?
LC AGNEW: I can’t recall anything like that happening to me. When it comes to making wise decisions, I’m usually at the top of my game.
- What are your thoughts on talent shows like American Idol, The Voice and the X-Factor etc.?
LC AGNEW: I think it’s a good way for people with talent to blow up. Even though they won’t know what it’s like to witness the grind of what the average artist “has” to go through. But yeah, I think it’s a great way to find new talent.
- Do you consider Internet and all the social media websites, as fundamental to your career, and indie music in general, or do you think it has only produced a mass of mediocre “copy-and-paste” artists, who flood the web, making it difficult for real talent to emerge?
LC AGNEW: Yes, no doubt. Plus, most social media sites are free. So that’s basically free promotion for anything you got going.
- If someone who has never heard you, asks what does LC AGNEW sound like? Which 3 keywords would you personally use to describe your overall sound and style?
LC AGNEW: unique, real, and expressive
- Straight off the top of your head, can you shoot out 3 adjectives to describe the current state of Hip-hop?
LC AGNEW: dead (died when Tupac and Biggie died). That’s the only word I can think of. This rap game desperately needs someone to bring it back to life.
- As you work your way through your career which more than any other fires-up your imagination – A Grammy award, Platinum music sales or any other tangible milestone?
LC AGNEW: Grammy award or any kinda music award.
- What is the ONE thing you are NOT willing or prepared to do EVER, in your quest to achieve a successful musical career?
LC AGNEW: Change my style, image, and my lyrics I write about. I will never do any of that just cause some label says” You’re gonna change your style or we won’t agree to this record deal”.
OFFICIAL LINKS: HOMEPAGE – REVERBNATION
+ There are no comments
Add yours