Diandra Interviews Christina LaRocca: Music To Hear The Soul (Part 1)

We all want to tell our story, but some have the capacity to use music to do so. It may be why we love artists so much. Music conveys what is in our heart better than words or conversation. Thus, anyone’s capacity to make a song speak to a soul should be admire. Christina LaRocca is, definitely, to be admired, and in my interview I got the opportunity to see how she makes her soul, musically, speak.

Diandra: What are the things you have learned about yourself and the industry when transitioning from artist representation to an artist?

Christina: I have always been an artist. I put out my first album in 2008 as ‘Christina LaRocca & Heavy Weather’ but I was also booking shows for other artists by then as well. I loved bringing people together in the name of music and making money doing it too. It was (and still is) fun but I lost myself there in the shuffle across the country. Moving to LA, I went from knowing what felt like every musician in NYC, and playing in multiple bands, to what felt like starting over completely. I thought it was going to be an easier transition than it was. I needed the money, and got offered a job at a major talent agency, so I took it. I just didn’t realize how it was going to change me, and completely consume my life. It brought on a wave of depression, to the point couldn’t think music, which is ironic considering I was working in the music business!

I was hired as an assistant for one of the biggest assholes in the industry. He was so verbally abusive that when the weekend would come I would get panic attacks at the thought that  Monday was only a couple of days away. I know there are a lot of people out there that understand this feeling – in a lot of different industries. I can handle stress but this was straight bullying all day – and you couldn’t fight back without taking the chance of losing your job. If you ask me “bullying” and “harassment” should have the same repercussions as sexual harassment in the work place. I mean – harassment is harassment whether or not it’s sexual right? He abused male assistants, and everyone around him, just as badly. I literally heard him tell another manager over the phone once, “I’m abusive to women because they find it attractive.” HR didn’t give a shit, they couldn’t control him, and he makes them money so they let him get away with it. He had a revolving door of assistants, but I wanted to prove myself so I toughed it out for as long as I was able. I have so many fucked up stories (from other assistants as well) that I’d love to write a TV dramedy about it (Hollywood – call me! hahah). After two and a half years, I quit, in July 2017.

The good thing is, I learned a lot about the ins and outs of the business and about myself in the process. Was I going to be a little bitch or was I going to step up and take my life into my own hands. I also realized that I didn’t believe in myself enough as a musician to succeed. Your dreams will get clouded by people telling you how difficult it is, and how you will never be able to make a living being an artist; but when you work in the industry, sometimes you’re lucky enough to see the impossible become possible. You see some dreams become realities. I saw an artist go from working at McDonald’s to turning down $100K for a 60 minute set a couple of a years later. Is it easy to get there? Absolutely not. You have to work your ass off and make the right moves. You have to have a hit(s). You need a team. You have to tour. You have to have content. You need to make connections and you need to brand yourself. You need to be ready so when the big opportunities come your way you stand out. And if you really want it – you need to sacrifice.

Diandra: What was then the exact moment you realized you wanted to make that transition?

Christina: I was at the office. At this point, I had finished the EP, and was working so hard on my musical chops. I knew I wanted to peace out of there. This particular day, I was getting screamed at about a trip I had booked to NYC – which I told my boss about in advance, but he acted like I didn’t. The conversation had me shook because I still hadn’t completely decided whether leaving or not was the right thing to do. I put a lot of energy and time into that place. I got several friends in bands signed to the agency and was an integral part of a few teams. I am still so sorry to this day to them about leaving. It was not an easy choice. I walked over to the kitchen area so no one could see my fighting the tears – where I bumped into a particular employee who had worked there for many, many years – and had just given her two weeks. She saw how upset I was, called me into her office, and consoled me. She told me that I had too much soul for the place and that she could tell I was strong, and if I stayed there it would slowly wear away at me. That if I wanted to leave, the universe would provide, I just needed to believe in myself. She told me exactly what I needed to hear. The next day I put in my notice.

Diandra: Growing up in a family of musicians, what has music taught you about love, happiness, and how it unites people?

Christina: My mother owns a karaoke machine that she keeps in our basement. On the holidays, after cooking for what feels like an army of people, we bust out the karaoke CDs and we don’t stop until everyone is ready to pass out. It’s definitely not your average Christmas in the LaRocca household. The hams do it up – and those who aren’t professional singers still get up and sing out whatever they are feeling. I love watching the “non-singers” do their thing. Music heals, and helps people have fun. They are usually the ones that need it more than anyone else. My mother is a very giving person. Always putting others ahead of her. Probably too much. As I am saying this, I am realizing that is where I get it from. I have a song called “Home” and the lyrics to the second verse is:

It’s in these streets
I learned how to live
They taught me the beat that my heart would keep up with and
I’d give and give and give

And that’s exactly what I did for so long, but I’m realizing in order to really push your career forward you need to be somewhat selfish. I still love bringing people together in the name of music. I like to think of all the shows I’ve booked over the years, and that I am, somehow, indirectly responsible for countless new relationships, friendships, and encounters. Maybe even some marriages and babies in the world. Perhaps there is a whole army of people born between 2006 to today that have made it into this world thru shows I’ve booked and played!! I bet they would be some cool peeps. We need more cool people in the world, and when I say that I mean gentler, kinder, more inclusive people.

Wow! Such powerful responses coming from an artist realizing her power. If there is one thing you can feel through Christina’s music and spirit, it is that she is strong. Music, simply, reveals this truth to her. Perhaps, the strongest thing she has ever done is believe in herself and her dreams. Thus, in the second half of my interview with Christina LaRocca, I explore the music she claims to be her heart.