My true name is Jean-François Leo, and I am of Sicilian origin, born in Switzerland in November 1973. I grew up in Switzerland and have passed most of my life here among the Alps. My Dad was a guitarist and my Mom an occasional singer. One might say that I was rocked in a musical cradle. From an early age I was attracted to those famous black and white keys. Of course that might have meant the accordion but fate would have it otherwise. When I was only four or five years old I began spending hours sitting on the carpet in my room playing with a little plastic piano offered by my parents. I played it so much that it wore out. In the early 1980's I began to dream of composing my own songs for television as I watched different groups work their synthesisers.
From the age of nine I began about four years studying the electric organ. Beginning with a simple keyboard, I quickly passed to a double keyboard, progressing rapidly. During this period I realised some of my own early compositions. Eventually, however, a sort of weariness set in and I decided to quit music for a while.
After a few years of absence from the realm of music, inspiration returned with a passion for new technologies and all things electronic. Quite naturally I turned to synthesisers. In 1989 or 1990 I made the discovery of a lifetime by happening upon a Korg M1 and an Atari-St. With this revelation I understood right away that my destiny was linked to music and technology. I was off, and within a year, together with my first keyboard and an Atari synthesiser on Cubase.
I was back to composing but with an approach entirely different. For several years I composed feverishly. While studying on my own I tried to master the whole sound chain, from the creation of sounds to the composition of titles, from sampling to mixing, while passing by the study and parameter setting of machines, to the masterisation and recording on support of the final master. The field is so wide and in such a constant state of evolution that a lifetime would not be long enough to assimilate everything. Self-educated, I still study, progress, and try to keep abreast of new developments.
At the end of five or six years I found myself the author of a number of titles and attempted the challenge of living from my passion. Now time went by fast as I searched for inspiration and opportunities. Interviews with local radio stations and the airing of my titles opened doors. I managed to make various concerts, demonstrations and competitions. I worked to establish contacts in the media and sent numerous propositions and demo tapes to recording houses and disc fairs like Midem. As the years passed, the road has been long and complicated...
In 1998 I participated in the Midem at Cannes. There, at last a label showed an interest in my work and suggested the production of an album. A few years later the CD finally appeared but alas, all fell through in the maze of the music buisness. I came to realise that the industry was not as sincere and honest as I once thought.
Then the idea came to me to create a web site in order to have a window on the world without passing through a dishonest system where the artist is often the last link in the chain.
Under the spell of synthesisers, it was quite natural that I was equally inspired by the pioneer artists in the field of electronics. I admire the old school and I like the sounds of the old synthesisers. Among my early favorites were :
Jean-Michel Jarre, Vangelis, Mike Oldfield, Tangerine Dream, Art of Noise, Kraftwerk an so on.
I am open to many forms of music including Italian songs, pop rock, ballads, new age, film scores, and so on. Among the artists and composers I admire are Rick Allison and Lara Fabian, Pascal Obispo and Natasha St-Pierr, Calogero, Laurent Voulzy, Francis Cabrel, Jan Hammer, Marc Snow, Giorgio Moroder, Bryan Adams, Dido, Vanessa Carlton, Sting, Phil Collins, Laura Pausini, Marco Masini, Claudio Baglioni, etc... Then of course are the great myths : Abba, Bee Gees, U2, Pink Floyd, The Police, Metallica, Helloween, Iron Maiden, Michael Jackson and Madonna. I could go on but there ins't enough space... So please forgive me for those I've left out.
The purpose of this site is to draw attention to artists in my situation. Although it is impossible to compete with the marketing power of large recording companies, internet exists as a means for artists like myself to be seen and heard. It allows us to share our passion for music.
My artistic vision is simply to offer a little escape and happiness through the works presented. It would be nice if artists were recognised as a trade in the assurance of being able to make a living from that trade.
In my humble opinion music should not be reduced by marketing to a simple consumer object. If that continues we will all regret it someday.
Human contact, with both good and bad criticism, is essential to music. So, don't hesitate to write either through e-mail or in the guestbook. This is what gives the inspiration and courage to continue...
I sincerly hope that you will enjoy yourself at my site. Whether it be the conception, the images, or the music. I wish you happy surfing. visit when you want to..
