We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leah Melzer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leah below.

Leah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I was 16 and auditioned to be on American Idol. I heard the show was making their way through San Diego which is where I’m from. At the time I was in a rock band and knew that singing was something I loved, so I wanted to take a leap of faith and audition. I remember waiting in line with my mom the entire day and along the way met so many artists just as passionate as I was. Standing in front of professional judges while I sang, Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benetar gave me all the confidence to believe that I could really take my music path to a whole new level.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve been singing since I was 15 and have been performing in bands ever since. For as long as I can remember music has been my passion and something I’ve carried with me throughout my life. Around age 17-19 is when I really dove into it and was recording in Hollywood and working with a top producer in the industry. Looking back I’m grateful I had that experience because it taught me how the industry is. In order to make music your career you really do have to dedicate all your time and energy. You also have to find your niche that sets you apart from the rest because that’s how labels will brand you and that’s how fans will remember you. It is not an easy road.

Fast forward to today I’m the vocalist in a Pop-Punk band Capture This. One of the first questions people ask me is how we started as a band and I tell them Craigslist Fate.

In San Diego I was looking to join a band, so I responded to a Craigslist ad of a band looking for a female vocalist. That’s where I found our bassist and drummer. After playing in the band for a few years we re-branded ourselves, moved to Colorado and posted a Craigslist ad seeking 2 guitarists. That’s how we added our 2 band members and became Capture This. Believe it or not Craigslist is a huge way to find bands and music projects. I think because it’s one of the only platforms out there for that need; it’s become a musicians’ go-to.

Our music is best described as taking the classic early 2000’s Pop Punk and adding a twist of pop-production effects and powerhouse vocals. Being a female vocalist in a band, I’ve always wanted to empower others and make them feel like they can do anything they set their mind to. That sounds so cheesy and cliche but it’s true. If I can get on stage, sing my heart out and know that the lyrics inspired someone to feel what was impossible to possible, I served my purpose. Music has helped me on so many levels and I hope to always be that person in someone’s life.

Capture This has been a band for a little over a year and it feels like a lifetime because of the memories we’ve made and how close we all are. Some of our highlights are playing alongside A Day To Remember, The Maine and Jimmy Eat World at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater for Channel 93.3’s Big Gig, traveling across the country and releasing our first EP album. The greatest highlights have been meeting our fans. At Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater we met a fan named Rainbow who told me we inspired them and loved our music. It was a memory I’ll never forget.

This year we have a solid, greater plan and can’t wait to take it to the next level and share with you! We won’t give away too much but new music, new shows and new merch are in the future.

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

There’s three ways to best support a local musician. The first is buying a ticket and going to their show. Nine times out of ten venues give a percentage of ticket sale profits directly to the band, so ticket sales are a huge way for giving back to an artist. If you can snag a pre-sale one, that’s even better rather than at the door. The second way is through buying merch online and/or at their show. Merch goes a long way for the artist because it pockets them directly, and it’s something the artist puts time into to personalize. Plus you get a keepsake that you’ll have forever. The third way is through signing up for the artist’s email or phone number list. Artists will heavily rely on their list to keep their fans in the loop with new music, merch, shows, etc. and build connections. It’s a great and simple way to show support.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to tour the country and along the way meet more people like Rainbow who inspire me to keep singing, keep writing and keep playing music. Every once in a while a song will come on my playlist and I’ll remember how that artist’s music helped me during a time in my life. I hope I can leave the same impression on someone who listened to our music.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bandcapturethis.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capturethis.band/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/capturethis.band
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDY8ic5WZpC37G4OEb0YrQQ

Image Credits
Morgan Elizabeth