About Lydia

Lydia is a two-piece (formerly six) indie rock group from Gilbert, Arizona. Lydia started out in 2003 as a five piece band: Leighton Antelman (Lead Vocals and Guitar), Steve McGraw (Guitar), Maria Sais De Sicilia (Backup vocals and Keyboard), Dustin Forsgren (Bass), and Loren Brinton (Drums). Their debut album, This December; It's One More and I'm Free was released on September 27th, 2005 with the HourZero Records. Their sophomore album, Illuminate, featured a new line-up: Evan Aranbul replaced Forsgren, Mindy White replaced Sais De Sicilia, and craig taylor replaced Brinton; a second guitarist, Ethan Koozer, was also added. Illuminate garnered extremely positive reviews and gained the band increased recognition. They toured extensively throughout the country and participated in the Zumiez Couch Tour, Vans Warped Tour, and The Bamboozle festival. They also played on the first annual Bamboozle Roadshow in 2008. In 2009, the band released an acoustic EP of 4 re-recorded songs off of "This December" titled Hotel Sessions. Their final release, 7 track EP "Assailants", came out in 2010. Lead vocalist Leighton Antelman embarked on a solo project with an album planned for 2011, due to be produced by Matt Malpass. He has also stated that drummer Craig Taylor will continue to work with him. Mindy White formed States with Bryan & Stephen Laurenson of Copeland. Ethan Koozer is currently playing guitar for the New Jersey-based band Gates which contains former members of Bears & Bright Lights. Steve McGraw has formed a new band called The Saturn Hands. In late May of 2011 Leighton announced that Lydia would put out a new record to be produced by Matt Malpass. Leighton hasn't announced a release date but he acknowledged that it should be expected in mid to late fall of 2011. Leighton and Matt also collaborated on their own project named The Cinema. Leighton tracked and recorded the album throughout June and July and will be mastered by Matt after. They will be producing this album on their own similarly to Assailants.