Growing up on the outskirts of Chicago, life was anything but easy. Bullied by cheerleaders and weighed down by her mother's grim predictions, La refused to accept a future confined to factory work. At just 15, driven by desperation, she set out to hitchhike to New York—but a wrong turn landed her in Berkeley with only $28 to her name. Determined to forge her own path, she became an emancipated minor and never looked back.
Soon after, she connected with a keyboard player, igniting a lifelong passion for collaboration. La discovered a remarkable gift for writing music that was unapologetically intense and deeply moving songs that could make listeners weep one moment and burst into laughter the next.
Over the years, she’s shared the stage with an eclectic mix of renowned artists, including Joan Baez, Jon Hendricks, Eddie Money, Jean Carn, Shawn Colvin, Tommy Castro, Michael Sasaki, Garth Webber, George Cole, the Chambers Brothers, EC Scott, Joel Harrison, Alex Carlin and the fearless Ginger Coyote of White Trash Debutantes. A die-hard Giants fan, she’s even performed the national anthem in front of a roaring stadium of 55,000.
With growing recognition, media attention, and industry awards, La became a sought-after voice-over artist, studio session musician, lyricist, and vocal coach—all while amassing a catalog of over a hundred original songs. She’s recorded at some of the most iconic studios, including Fantasy, Hyde St., Red Rooster, Tres Virgos, Starlight, and Wally Heider.
Her second self-produced album, Cartoon Life, follows Barflies & Busted Dreams and three earlier EPs—each a testament to her unique artistry.
After six years of recovery following a devastating head-on collision with a double cab RAM truck, La is ready for her return. With a fresh arsenal of powerful new material, she’s eager to assemble a new band and bring her music to a world that has changed—but her passion remains as fierce as ever.
