“Texas-bred, quirky, theatrical (but deeply heartfelt) cowgirl/gravity-defying musical mermaid”
- Jonathan Widran; Music Connection
With Texas charm and New York grit, Lorena Leigh is the feminine fusion of homegrown story-telling, danceable rhythms, and summertime obsession. Her songwriting journey began at the ripe age of 3 with her first single “I’m thirsty, and I want something to drink.” The song debuted in her family’s kitchen and mingled with tunes by the likes of Trisha Yearwood and the Dixie Chicks.
Though Lorena’s musical foundations may have begun with country, classic American rock, and the Spice Girls, a wave of island influence crashed into her sound in her early 20s when she was given a ukulele and lived in Rockaway Beach, Queens. Lorena’s catchy hooks, lyrical stories, and electrified, pedal-popped ukulele melodies propel her music to the core of your soul.
It’s part cowgirl. It’s part mermaid. It’s all water theory.
After two EPs and numerous singles, Lorena's sound has been described by fans as "cowgirl-mermaid" music. Riding the momentum of those previous EPs Bella Vista (2015) and Jellyfish Queen (2018)- which contained the breakout single “Headstrong"- Leigh released her debut LP in the fall of 2019. Entitled 'Water Theory', the 11-song adventure was produced by Ernesto Valenzuela (Tommy Genesis, Espé, B-52s) and featured an all-star cast including drummer Sterling Campbell (David Bowie, B-52s, and Duran Duran). Laced with hints of Alanis Morrisette, Nelly Furtado, Kacey Musgraves, and Cyndi Lauper, Water Theory is a complete galaxy with engaging sentiments, vibrant characters, and cinematic soundscapes.
Lorena spent October to Dec 2019 on the road full time playing over 50 shows across the US in support of the album's release. It is her determination, soulful nature, and out-of-the-box stage presence that has garnered Lorena a grassroots following of fans who welcome the underwater rodeo of the universe. Lorena's childhood love of country music, years of professional dance performance & enthrallment with the NYC surf scene during her early twenties, directly contribute to the catchy hooks, lyrical stories, and electrified, pedal-popped ukulele melodies that drive her music and leave audiences buzzing with positivity.
Lorena rooted herself back in Texas at the start of 2020 where she released her second full-length album, "Cowgirl-Mermaid Christmas" and hunkered down to ride out the pandemic with hometown support. Lorena will begin releasing a string of new singles starting this spring 2023.