In the summer of 2016, Lake Geneva and the French Alps were in the distance as I drove through Switzerland with the radio on. That’s when I heard “Lost on You” for the first time. I remember it because the song was so different than anything I’d heard before and the raspy voice belting out was captivating.
LP was the artist featured by the Swiss radio station and I remember thinking “Huh, never heard of her.” That summer, I heard “Lost on You” a few more times as I continued on through France and eventually to Spain. Once I crossed over to my home in Spain, I never heard her again. One year later, 2017, at a restaurant in the South of Spain, I heard “Lost on You” by LP again and look up to see a video of the song.
The vision on the screen is nothing like the person I had pictured in my mind. I’m not sure exactly what girl I thought went with that voice, but she didn’t look like that… I was intrigued and beguiled with her androgynous tomboy swagger. I’d like to say that was the moment I “discovered” LP but it’s not. My infatuation was a slow burn.
Another year passed and in September 2018 a friend posted the unplugged version of LP’s “Lost on You”. This version hooked me and I started digging for more songs which led me down a week’s long adventure of listening to every single recording and interview available. I’d fallen down the LP rabbit hole.
photo for LP Blog courtesy of Nancy & Mark
At some point I came across an old recording of LP performing in NYC and that is the lightning bolt moment I clearly heard the voice of a past girlfriend saying “Hey, my friend LP is playing tonight with her band Lionfish. Do you want to go?” In the late 90’s the NYC lesbian scene was centered around two popular clubs and my girlfriend worked at one of them–she knew everyone and made sure I did, too.
photo for LP Blog courtesy of Nancy & Mark
In a dizzy rush, my memories of glorious party days of New York City in the late 90’s came flooding back and I instantly realized I used to hang out with LP at bars like Meow Mix and Henrietta Hudson’s. That was a bizarre moment. I knew LP and yet, I don’t know her at all.
photo for LP Blog courtesy of Nancy & Mark
I’ve never been a fan girl or a groupie. I don’t do “star struck”. But, like most rabid LP fans, I found myself on a mission to see her in concert and meet her (again). My timing sucked. It was now October 2018 and she had just finished touring for “Lost on You”. She’d been playing concerts all around me in Europe. I had spent months in Spain, France, Italy and Switzerland and I had missed every single concert.
I wanted to cry. Maybe, just maybe if the radio station in 2016 had identified her by her chosen moniker of LP instead of Laura Pergolizzi I would’ve had my epiphany sooner and I could’ve seen her in concert sooner. While my love of her music is on an addictive level I didn’t know existed, it’s her story of perseverance that has made the heaviest impact on me.
We were both entering the artist world of NYC at the same moment. It’s the time and space I can directly relate to as I was aspiring to be a writer. Regardless of all the obstacles and record deals gone wrong, LP never gave up on her dream. LP reminded me that if you really love something, you should never give up. I’ve been so inspired by her climb to fame, I’ve thrown myself back into my own passion and have now landed my dream job.
Feeling I should thank her in person for her inspiration, I did what crazy fans do–I bought tickets for the Orlando and Ft Lauderdale shows for the Heart to Mouth North American tour and booked flights from Malaga, Spain to Miami, Florida!
photo courtesy of Darcy Tuscano
Standing in the photo line for the Ft Lauderdale VIP meet and greet, LP looked up at me and briefly paused with a raised eyebrow like a question mark. Or maybe I imagined it. When it was my turn to meet her, the first thing she said was “You look really familiar”. I told her of how we used to hang out together and our mutual friends.
photo courtesy of Darcy Tuscano
It had been 20 years, but she remembered it completely. I told her how much I loved her music, that we flew here from Spain to see her, introduced her to my wife, forgot to tell her my name, asked her to please come back and play in Spain and totally forgot to ask her what brand of jeans she wears. I am not easily flustered, but LP made me dizzy. Can you fan girl over someone you used to hang out with 20 years ago?
photo courtesy of Darcy Tuscano
As I watched her concert, front row and center, she again locked eyes with me and came over to grab my hand and give me that famous smile. LP in concert is a fiery, electric experience. She is an powerhouse performer and adores her fans–LP was born for this!
Are you a groupie if you wait by the tour bus in the parking lot? Yeah, maybe….
LP’s security tried to move the fans aside, but she stopped and took selfies with everyone that approached her. LP is just that generous. “I never told you my name”, I said breathlessly as I dashed over, “No, you didn’t” she said, “It’s Darcy”. “Hey Darcy, thanks for coming” and we hugged, took a selfie and LP disappeared into the crowd.
photo courtesy of Darcy Tuscano
As my wife and I drove away, we realized we couldn’t wait to see IF she’ll come back to Spain or when. Tickets are now booked for Zurich, Switzerland. I swear, if we didn’t have kids, we’d probably be following her all over Europe. Her live performances are that addictive.
If you ever read this LP, thank you for being the inspiration and motivation to always follow your dreams and never give up.
Can’t wait to see you May 14!
Anna from Poland. I have been a blogger for a long time, but more in a royal field. Since 'meeting' LP through her music and as a person, a lot has changed. If I'm not working on my blog, I work as a teacher. I love to travel, read & dance. I sing & play uke when no one listens. Music was always a big part of my life.