We were lucky to catch up with Leah Simmons recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Leah, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I’ve never been one for structured learning so lessons/classes didn’t get me very far. I learned how to play guitar by hanging up a guitar chord chart in my bedroom when I was 15 and spending a lot of alone time figuring out how to make them sound like whatever song I was trying to learn. I learned how to sing by mimicry, listening to a lot of Avril Lavigne in my younger days and then a whole lot of She & Him, Lady Gaga & First Aid Kit. Songwriting came naturally to me in the form of joke songs, but when I experienced my first true heartbreak, I began writing about that. I realized that you could really write about anything as long as it’s true to what you’re trying to say. Sure, I could’ve really honed in on the craft of playing guitar by taking lessons with an instructor but I didn’t have the patience as a teenager to sit through and learn the stuff I didn’t feel like learning. Now I am surrounded by insanely talented musicians that show me tricks and help me hone in on my craft even more. There is a lot of “not being taken seriously” as a female with an acoustic guitar in the music scene (Queue: Phoebe from Friends) so it’s been a lot of proving to the audience, bookers, everyone- that I’m not to be overlooked. I work hard, I rock out and I sing from the heart. Raw, real, authentic, lively. I only am those things because of the hundreds of performances I’ve powered through already.

Leah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I decided to take the music business seriously when I realized it was the one thing that made me feel like myself when I was in a room with other people. It is what connected my lonesome soul with other creatives and music lovers around me. I moved to FL when I was 22 and I didn’t have any friends. I would just write in my bedroom when I got off work (working as a nanny) and eventually started booking small shows on the weekends. After a few years of juggling shows and taking care of kids, I had to make a decision. I opted to continue writing and playing gigs across South Florida. I saved enough money to pay for my first studio album to be recorded with some of the most talented musicians I know. To be honest, I’m just really proud of the hustle I have maintained to make my dreams come true. I fully financed my first album by working hard after dropping out of college in my mid twenties. I continuously take crowds by surprise by the energy I have on stage. My friends and family have supported me the whole way through and I’ve made loads of new friends and support systems. I’m just so proud of being myself and not getting discouraged through the years of people saying how hard being in the music business is, etc. I think when you love something, it feels right and you have the drive to continue on your path, the universe kind of helps you make it work. I just turn stories into songs and am in awe when anyone else resonates with it. It kinda feels like magic, really.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Creatives need more opportunities to showcase their work- whether it be writing, painting, sculpting, videography, etc. It is so easy to get discouraged, for example on social media- one’s work may get lost in the algorithm and not make it to any viewers. At a show, or gallery exhibit, you can see hands on how your art makes the crowd feel. We need more in person connections. I may say that I write music for myself, but at the end of the day, if I didn’t have people egging me on, I don’t know that I would’ve ever taken my music out of my bedroom. Creatives need support from other creatives and outsiders to keep going. Society could lend a hand by just showing up, liking a post, sharing a flyer for an art show, etc. If you see a tip jar, put some money in it! If you see something you like, tell the artist. Be kind. Be understanding.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Being a woman in the music industry is an interesting experience. It is in no way, shape, or form- an equal experience to men in the music industry. I assume this must be the case for non-binary people as well. There is a lot of doubt from outsiders that I won’t be anything of value when I get on stage. Just another girlie with a guitar. It is always eye-opening to see the shift in peoples perspectives once I finish my first song. I’ve been around a while, I have a background in listening to a lot of heavy rock and jazz. I am nothing if not passionate. I know I won’t ever go on a solo tour because it isn’t safe to travel alone as a woman. That’s okay though. It just means when I’m ready, I’ll go on tour with some close friends. It can be annoying to maneuver through the obstacles of the music industry, but you do what feels right and you just keep going. There have been plenty of trolls along the way, hating on my work, calling me names, etc. It definitely hurts. I won’t say I’m numb to haters- mean words stick. It’s just that the amount of nice words, support and enthusiasm from fans, friends & family far outweigh the mean ones. The resilience comes from within but its the support from outsiders that keeps the car running.

Contact Info:

• Website: leahsimmonsmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahsimmonsmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahsimmonsmusic
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-simmons-38409610a/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leahsimmonsmusic0

Image Credits
Credit: Daniela Davis, Jerrod Mathias, Marie Machin