Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Laura Espinoza. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Laura, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of my most meaningful projects was first, writing and recording my album American Stranger (band name: Lunden Reign) and then turning it into a musical stage play. Many of the songs within American Stranger are about those facing intolerance, racism and/or discrimination, especially those in the LGBT community. I then created “American Stranger” the stage play out of the songs and we performed it at the Fringe Festival, Hollywood in 2019 and were honored with multiple awards including in the “Best of” category. We performed all the songs live with the cast singing the lyrics intertwined with the story. Those that saw it said it touched them immensely and many related to the story and the intolerance they faced or facing in American society.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am currently host of “The Rock Radio Show” on KBUU-FM, Malibu and perform in three different bands including an original band “Make Believe Friends” and two tribute bands “Heart of Blonde” (Blondie Tribute), and “Like a Material Girl” (Madonna Tribute”). I’m most proud that we (Make Believe Friends) release at least 2-3 professionally produced songs each year and have been blessed to record with some of the most famous and talented people in the music industry including Dale Bozzio (Missing Persons), members of Foreigner, and lately getting our cover of “Rapture” final mix by legendary producer Ed Stasium (Talking Heads, Ramones). All our original songs are available on iTunes and Spotify under Make Believe Friends and also Lunden Reign.

Previously, I worked as an executive in television for NBC, ABC and ABC O&O stations traveling to Chengdu, China to film the birth of 8 pandas and then to Beijing to assisting in planning for the 2008 Olympics. I have been honored with 4 Emmy Awards for my work in television and radio. I also work in law with a paralegal degree from UCLA and was an adjunct professor at USC’s Annenberg School of Journalism. I have served on the Board of Directors for IMAGEN Foundation to promote the positive portrayal of the Latino community in film and television. I’m a member of SAG/AFTRA and NARAS (Grammy Voting Member).

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

I started out in the music industry as a teen forming my first band (Ashbury) along with former Guns n’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum. At 19, I was blessed to be asked to help provide sounds for Stevie Wonder’s “Secret Life of Plants” when I worked for Coast Music & Express Sound in Costa Mesa, California. However, I knew there was a danger with this career path as there was so much substance abuse of alcohol & drugs in the industry, at that time (much worse than it is today). Many friends & colleagues thought I would be crazy to walk away from the music industry, but I felt I needed to if I was to grow and be in better control of my future.
So I went on to get by BS and BA in Business Administration and Communications at CSU, Sacramento, working three jobs to pay for my education, but it was all worth it. That led to a new career in television serving as a News Director at multiple stations including Assistant News Director at ABC-7, Los Angeles, and also as a General Manager of multiple radio stations.
Eventually, after 20 successful years in television, I decided I wanted to learn about law and received my paralegal degree from UCLA and a Copyright Certification from Harvard Law School. Working in law gave me time to rediscover my love and interest in music and I was able to also start writing and recording music, being blessed to record at Abbey Road, Studio 2, UK, and Capitol Records, Hollywood. It was turn-around that I am very proud of.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

If anything, I would hope people would support musical artists financially by attending shows and sharing the original material that they like with others. Most original artists struggle to support themselves and the business side of the industry pays little if anything for use and distribution of original material.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://makebelievefriendsband.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraespinozamusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makebelievefriendsband​
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/makebelievefriends