ArtChix Magazine :: Who Is Lori Greco?

15 June 2011

Feb. 12, 2011 Issue

"As far as we’re concerned, she is one of the best kept secrets in music."

Who is Lori Greco?

I am a wife, mother, piano/voice tutor and a singer/songwriter who was born in Italy but now residing in Australia. I am also a woman who continues to follow her passion in her own world of music.

What is your own world of music?

Well, I guess it is music which has an effect on me, that grabs me not only musically but emotionally, but stays with me long after the music has stopped. It is music that gives pleasure, that touches my emotions and then it becomes a part of my world too.

How did you first get into music?

Music was always playing in our house although generally it was music of the great Classical composers interspersed with the Neapolitan songs from back home. At the age of 7, my teacher at school played the piano for my class. At that moment, something clicked in me and I was smitten. I ran home and asked my Dad if he would buy me a piano. As we weren't too well off financially, it took some some time to save up for my first piano, but to me, magically, it arrived! Being the innocent child as I was, I sat down to play it, and was upset to discover that I couldn't play it immediately! Weeks later I began what was to be 13 years of formal piano tuition. I also studied the piano through my Music Degree at University.

How did you get into singing?

I always loved the music of Elton John and Billy Joel, as well as Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and any of the female singers who had "big" voices. One day, at the age of 13, I got a hold of Elton John's "Your Song" and began singing while playing the piano. Apart from loving the fact that this was the first time I had played modern music, I loved that I could accompany myself and sing at the same time.

Apart from accompanying yourself at home, what other musical activities did you engage in?

From there I began singing in school concerts and musicals. Around the age of 18, I started to prepare a repertoire because my goal was to sing in a restaurants.
To supplement my studies, I began playing and singing in various piano bars and restaurants in South Australia where I developed a regular fan base supporting my gigs.
During my first university degree ( I also have a second degree in Education), I was appointed as the Musical Director for the "The Pyjama Game", "Pippin" and "A Little Night Music" and received glowing reviews...all by the age of 21.

By then of course, I had a taste of personal success so I set myself a wider goal. I began entering television talent shows such as "Hey Hey It's Saturday" , "Pot Luck", and "New Faces" on a national level even winning a grand final. Due to that win, I was also invited to sing on a few morning TV chat shows several times and I became a finalist in "The Australian Singing Competition" on two occasions.

I later moved to the west coast. and began singing at The Sheraton Hotel and joined a Motown tribute show band which continually sold out to Perth audiences.

You have been very active musically in various fields of music, but how did you come to record your own original material?

It all started because I lost a competition! I had entered a song competition which was initiated by the government of Western Australia. Although my submission may have been primitive by today's home studio recordings, I believed in the melody and the patriotism of the lyrics and I thought that as a "demo" it was pretty good! I was devastated when I didn't even make it as a finalist! So...that was the turning point. I was determined to get my song out there. I rewrote the song, with lyrics to suit a national audience and the song was called "AUSTRALIA". The funny thing is, that 2 years later, "Australia" was bought under license for exclusive use and I had to rerecord it again with the original lyrics! So you see? I had won the competition after all!

I sent "AUSTRALIA" to a few radio stations and received airplay. Curtin Radio took a particular interest and asked me what other original material I had. To this I replied "nothing." That lit a small fire in my belly and it set my creative brain in motion...and voila, I self funded my first album called "WAITING" containing 12 original songs in 2007!

How would you describe your style of music?

My music draws on the styles that I love to listen to and sing to. My music is easy listening adult contemporary pop and country with a hint of jazz. It's also been described as smooth, soft and sensuous. My fans tell me that above all, it is "heartfelt."

8. What do you write about?
I keep it simple. The universal theme of "Love" - the falling in of love, the falling out of love and it's various facets. I also like to help people when they are down, so I try to write songs that inspire too. My first album draws on personal experiences so if you delve closely, you will come to know all about me!

Let's jump forward to 2011. Tell us what this year holds for you.

2011 will be my year. I will be working hard to make sure it will be. On August 17th, 2009, with the help of 412 fans and strangers that I have never met from all corners of the world, I was able to raise USD$50,000 on https://www.sellaband.com/lorigreco towards the recording of my next album which will be out this year! These 412 fans liked what they heard of my first album and through investing in my next album, not only did they give me the confidence to pursue a dream I had long thrown away, but through their continuous financial support, they encouraged me to write new songs.

Tell us more about your next album.

The new album contains 13 original tracks and will be called "NO ORDINARY GIRL". It is the title of one of the songs The title is strong and has so many connotations for me. On this album, I tried to write in a different style both musically and lyrically, with a more modern approach, but at all times, still being true to myself as a musician. My producer (Pat Reale) and engineer (Dom Monteleone) have encouraged me to step out of the box and be brave with the musical arrangements and vocal delivery. I'd like to thank these two great men publicly for their vision, foresight, expertise and direction.
At this point I must also thank my fans on sellaband for their generosity. Due to the larger budget, I was able to call on some of the best musicians in the world to help me create this next piece of history.

Steve Gadd (Pheonix, Arizona) is on drums. Abe Laboriel Snr (Los Angeles) is on bass. These two men are legends of music who are the most recorded session musicians of all time, having recorded and toured with some of the most famous musicans in the world. Romeo Scaccia from Sardinia appears as guest artist on piano and Andy Snitzer from New York is also a guest on saxophone. To complete this amazing lineup I have employed the cream of Western Australian talent. I am so excited that because of the internet, my album has become a truly international affair and am also proud to say that I am the only artist in Australia who has ever had the privilege of recording with these artists.

Is there anything you have learned about yourself during this whole process?

Definitely! For one, I am a perfectionist! I want only the best and I need to be satisfied with the outcome! Some people say I might be too fussy....Secondly, I have learned that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.

Are there any other personal highlights you would like to share with us?

Singing "AUSTRALIA" to over 6,000 people and a televised audience on the grounds of Government House. I was also thrilled and honored to sing The National Anthem and some of my originals to an audience of 30,000 in the port city of Fremantle, the city where The America's Cup Final was held.

Do you have any final words of advice for someone wanting to get into your profession?

Above all, I have learned to keep a hold of your dreams and just go for it! Don't let anyone ever stop you from realizing your dream. The first person you make music for is YOU. Don't make music if you think it will make you rich, because in most cases, it won't. If others along the way come to love your music as much as you do, then that is a bonus! Dig deep and find what makes your heart sing, find what really feeds your soul and just do it.
There is nothing more satisfying in the world....