Lachi
Encyclopedia
Lachi is a singer-songwriter
, pianist
and author
based in New York City
. Her music is often described as jazz influenced, piano driven alternative rock.
of the retina. After being socially outcast due to her legal blindness
, Lachi overcame her severe low vision
through her music, writing and performing vocal piano pieces. She wrote and published her first novel, Dante’s Destiny, as a high school senior in 2001.
Lachi remained notably introverted throughout school. After undergoing an exchange program during her college years at Canterbury Christ Church University
, she opened up socially and musically, performing for the first time at bars and venues in the UK. Lachi received an undergraduate degree in the majors of Economics
and also Management and Society at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
, where she created the all female a cappella
group, Cadence, and was a member of the Mu Beta Psi National Honorary Co-ed Musical Fraternity. After graduating she moved to New York City
to embark upon her music and writing career while working towards a Master’s degree in Music Technology
at New York University
. Apart from obtaining many odd jobs and side acting gigs, Lachi interned at MTV Networks Radio
, and was an office assistant in the Music Technology department at NYU
and at several different New York City State Departments
.
: with a hint of antifolk and political characteristics. She has written and produced over 400 songs. Her unique style is both eclectic and intimate, and has won her recognition as an Independent Music Awards finalist
. Since then many of her songs have been featured in FM and online radio, cable television, independent films, and numerous other projects.
She completed her first project album, “And This Is My Life
,” full of solo piano pieces released June 6, 2006. The album is an intimate array of jazz, blues and mellow piano songs heavily influenced by life experiences throughout her college years. On January 24, 2009 she released her piano driven alternative rock EP "Ugly Beautiful" engineered by Galuminumfoil Productions. This EP, though rock, still harbors much of her jazz influence through colorful chord progressions and random spouts of scatting
. On July 27, 2010, the self-titled piano driven alternative rock album "Lachi
" was released and distributed through EMI
-Caroline Distribution
.
Lachi performs and her band have performed at countless festivals including SxSW
, CMJ
and PrideFest (Milwaukee)
where they opened for Patti LaBelle.
2009
2010
2011
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
based in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Her music is often described as jazz influenced, piano driven alternative rock.
Early life
Born in Baltimore, Maryland the sixth of seven children, Lachi began writing songs at a very early age, and performed in musical ensembles throughout her school years. Lachi has a congenital visual impairment, ColobomaColoboma
A coloboma is a hole in one of the structures of the eye, such as the iris, retina, choroid or optic disc...
of the retina. After being socially outcast due to her legal blindness
Blindness
Blindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.Various scales have been developed to describe the extent of vision loss and define blindness...
, Lachi overcame her severe low vision
Low vision
Low vision is a subspecialty within the professions of optometry and ophthalmology dealing with individuals who have reduced vision even when using the best possible spectacle or contact lens correction available. It can be a result of either congenital disease Low vision is a subspecialty within...
through her music, writing and performing vocal piano pieces. She wrote and published her first novel, Dante’s Destiny, as a high school senior in 2001.
Lachi remained notably introverted throughout school. After undergoing an exchange program during her college years at Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University is a university in Canterbury, Kent, England. Founded as a Church of England college for teaching training it has grown to full university status and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2012. The focus of its work is in the education of people going into...
, she opened up socially and musically, performing for the first time at bars and venues in the UK. Lachi received an undergraduate degree in the majors of Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
and also Management and Society at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
, where she created the all female a cappella
Collegiate a cappella
Collegiate a cappella ensembles are student-run and -directed singing groups that perform entirely without instruments. Such groups can be found at many colleges and universities in the United States, and increasingly worldwide....
group, Cadence, and was a member of the Mu Beta Psi National Honorary Co-ed Musical Fraternity. After graduating she moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to embark upon her music and writing career while working towards a Master’s degree in Music Technology
Music technology
Music technology is a term that refers to all forms of technology involved with the musical arts, particularly the use of electronic devices and computer software to facilitate playback, recording, composition, storage and performance. This subject is taught at many different educational levels,...
at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. Apart from obtaining many odd jobs and side acting gigs, Lachi interned at MTV Networks Radio
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, and was an office assistant in the Music Technology department at NYU
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
and at several different New York City State Departments
Government of New York City
The government of New York City is organized under the City Charter and provides for a "strong" mayor-council system. The government of New York is more centralized than that of most other U.S...
.
Career
Lachi’s music can best be described as jazz-influenced, piano-driven alternative rockAlternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
: with a hint of antifolk and political characteristics. She has written and produced over 400 songs. Her unique style is both eclectic and intimate, and has won her recognition as an Independent Music Awards finalist
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
. Since then many of her songs have been featured in FM and online radio, cable television, independent films, and numerous other projects.
She completed her first project album, “And This Is My Life
And This Is My Life (album)
And This is my Life... is an album by singer-songwriter Lachi, self-released in the United States on June 6, 2006. The title of the album comes from the 12th track entitled, "And this is my life," which contains very intimate, personal lyrical content about Lachi's life decisions...
,” full of solo piano pieces released June 6, 2006. The album is an intimate array of jazz, blues and mellow piano songs heavily influenced by life experiences throughout her college years. On January 24, 2009 she released her piano driven alternative rock EP "Ugly Beautiful" engineered by Galuminumfoil Productions. This EP, though rock, still harbors much of her jazz influence through colorful chord progressions and random spouts of scatting
Scat singing
In vocal jazz, scat singing is vocal improvisation with wordless vocables, nonsense syllables or without words at all. Scat singing gives singers the ability to sing improvised melodies and rhythms, to create the equivalent of an instrumental solo using their voice.- Structure and syllable choice...
. On July 27, 2010, the self-titled piano driven alternative rock album "Lachi
Lachi (Album)
Lachi is a full-length self-titled, piano-driven alternative rock studio album by singer-songwriter Lachi, nationally released in the United States and distributed through EMI/Caroline on July 27, 2010. It is best known for its track “We Can Fly”...
" was released and distributed through EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
-Caroline Distribution
Caroline Distribution
Caroline Distribution, founded in 1983 as a unit of Virgin Records, has become one of the U.S. music industry’s largest third party distribution companies for the independent music sector....
.
Lachi performs and her band have performed at countless festivals including SxSW
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
, CMJ
College Music Journal
College Music Journal, commonly known as CMJ, is a music events/publishing company which hosts an annual festival in New York City, the CMJ Music Marathon, as well as a weekly magazine of and for the music industry and college radio stations in the United States and Canada. It publishes top 30...
and PrideFest (Milwaukee)
PrideFest (Milwaukee)
PrideFest is an annual gay pride event held on the Henry Maier Festival Park grounds in Milwaukee on the second weekend of June. PrideFest celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2007, which was also a record-breaking attendance year with 27,467 tickets sold over three days.In 2010 Pridefest featured...
where they opened for Patti LaBelle.
Albums
| Album information |
|---|
| And This Is My Life And This Is My Life (album) And This is my Life... is an album by singer-songwriter Lachi, self-released in the United States on June 6, 2006. The title of the album comes from the 12th track entitled, "And this is my life," which contains very intimate, personal lyrical content about Lachi's life decisions...
|
| The Ugly Beautiful EP
|
| Lachi Lachi (Album) Lachi is a full-length self-titled, piano-driven alternative rock studio album by singer-songwriter Lachi, nationally released in the United States and distributed through EMI/Caroline on July 27, 2010. It is best known for its track “We Can Fly”... |
| Time Heals
|
Awards and nominations
Prior to 2009- Published novel “Dante’s Destiny”
- Released album And This Is My Life (album)And This Is My Life (album)And This is my Life... is an album by singer-songwriter Lachi, self-released in the United States on June 6, 2006. The title of the album comes from the 12th track entitled, "And this is my life," which contains very intimate, personal lyrical content about Lachi's life decisions...
- Independent Music Awards finalistThe Independent Music AwardsThe Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
of for "Something Blues." - Featured on NPR's WFUV Fordham University 90.7WFUVWFUV, 90.7 FM in New York City, is Fordham University's 50,000-watt, non-commercial radio station, with studios on campus and its antenna atop nearby Montefiore Medical Center. First broadcast in 1947, WFUV has an airstaff which includes such New York radio veterans as Pete Fornatale , Dennis...
- Performed with Petra HadenPetra HadenPetra Haden is an American violinist and singer. She is or has been a member of several bands, including That Dog, Tito & Tarantula, and The Decemberists; has contributed to recordings by The Twilight Singers, Beck, Mike Watt, Luscious Jackson, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Queens of the Stone Age,...
2009
- Released EP Ugly Beautiful
- Performed at the South by SouthwestSouth by SouthwestSouth by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
Conference 2009 - Performed at the College Music JournalCollege Music JournalCollege Music Journal, commonly known as CMJ, is a music events/publishing company which hosts an annual festival in New York City, the CMJ Music Marathon, as well as a weekly magazine of and for the music industry and college radio stations in the United States and Canada. It publishes top 30...
Marathon and Conference
2010
- Performed at the South by SouthwestSouth by SouthwestSouth by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
Conference 2010 - Opened for Patti LaBellePatti LaBellePatricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
at PrideFestPrideFest (Milwaukee)PrideFest is an annual gay pride event held on the Henry Maier Festival Park grounds in Milwaukee on the second weekend of June. PrideFest celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2007, which was also a record-breaking attendance year with 27,467 tickets sold over three days.In 2010 Pridefest featured...
in Milwaukee - Nationally released album LachiLachi (Album)Lachi is a full-length self-titled, piano-driven alternative rock studio album by singer-songwriter Lachi, nationally released in the United States and distributed through EMI/Caroline on July 27, 2010. It is best known for its track “We Can Fly”...
- Featured on Oprah Radio
- Performs on the CWThe CW Television NetworkThe CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
Morning News - Interviewed on CBS RadioCBS RadioCBS Radio, Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, third behind main rival Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Media. CBS Radio owns around 130 radio stations across the country...
's Artistfirst Network - Song "Funny Girl" placed on Running Russell SimmonsRunning Russell SimmonsRunning Russell Simmons is a television series from Oxygen that premiered on November 2, 2010. The reality show follows Russell Simmons and his staff.- Cast :*Russell Simmons*Simone Reyes*Christina Paljusaj*Adair Curtis...
2011
- Released single Time Heals will all proceeds donated to help raise funds for Japan Tsunami2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunamiThe 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
relief.