If you’re a fan of local and live music anywhere around Frisco, you’ve probably had the opportunity to see this artist play. Luke Lagrange has found a home here and he seems to be planting his melodic roots.
Lifestyle Frisco: Where are you from?
Luke LaGrange: That’s pretty simple… Dallas, Texas, born and raised!
LsF: How did you get involved in music?
LL: I started playing around on our family piano around the age of 6 or 7. So, my parents decided to sign me up for piano lessons in the private school I attended.
I played classical piano, but I always loved listening to my dad’s album collection… Artists like ZZ Top, Bob Seger, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Beatles, and The Highwaymen.
By the time I was 12, I quit spending my time practicing piano and started picking up my dad’s guitars to my mothers dismay. HA! From then on, I spent all my spare time either drawing or sitting in my room playing guitar. I learned songs by playing along with my cd’s and LOTS of rewinding.
LsF: Where’s the oddest place you have played?
LL: I once played a wedding reception IN TEXAS that didn’t serve BBQ. I’d say that’s mighty odd. 😉
Other than that, I don’t know about odd, but I can tell you the most nervous I ever felt at a gig was playing in front of my childhood church congregation for the first time on Christmas Eve. I didn’t grow up playing in church.
I didn’t really get up the nerve to start playing in front of people until college. Whether 3 or 300, I played in bars and music venues across Texas. No problem. But, the first time I stood in front of my church with nothing but my acoustic guitar, unplugged, lights off, and candles lit getting ready to close out the Christmas Eve service while everyone sang Silent Night, it was the most nerve wracking experience of my musical career up to that point!
Sounds crazy I know. I was just out there without a mic, no amplification, just me. I felt bare and insignificant, and yet it was so powerful… to be outside of my comfort zone and fully aware and present in the moment. A three minute song felt like hours. I’ll never forget it.
LsF: Do you prefer covers or originals?
LL: There’s nothing more rewarding than playing a brand new song I’ve just finished writing. At that point, when it’s still so new and I’m feeling really good about it, I love the feeling of playing it in front of a crowd and just getting lost in the moment.
It’s like everything else just fades away. That’s the flow. That’s when you know you’re on to something and you’re doing what you should be doing. If you’ve ever heard anyone talk about the flow, artists, musicians, or athletes (especially extreme sports), that’s it. That being said, rocking out on a cover of a badass song, a song far better than anything you’ve ever created, that’s a lot of fun too. It’s like D@#N… how did they come up with this?!?
LsF: Who are some of your influences?
LL: Early on, I was playing along to classic rock icons like Jimi Hendrix, Skynyrd, Eric Clapton, BB King. I think I latched on to Blues because it was easy to groove to on guitar, but I was also big into the 90’s grunge scene… Nirvana, Soundgarden, AIC, Pearl Jam, and then bands like Rage Against the Machine, Tool, and System of A Down.
I was a huge Pantera fan when I was 15. My influences as a songwriter, though? That’s tough. It changes all the time. I love what Don Henley and Lyle Lovett have done. John Mayer – he’s a big one. I don’t know if my songwriting necessarily reflects any of these artists as far as my sound, but what they’ve accomplished by continuously putting out great songs, staying true to themselves and their sound. They grow and change incorporating different styles and feels from song to song. Generally not listening to what the critics have to say. That’s a huge inspiration.
LsF: Over the years, how have you seen the music scene grow in Frisco?
LL: When I started playing in Frisco about 3 and a half years ago, I knew very little about the area. In that time, it’s emerged as one of my favorite places to play. From Stan’s Main Street, to The Frisco Railyard, and Manny’s Tex Mex, I’ve been met with nothing but kind words of encouragement and everyone is having fun!
Not to mention the concerts that now come to the Dr Pepper Center, Toyota Stadium, and The Star. There’s nothing like the craziness that is Jimmy Buffet! The community seems to really rally around live music. It’s a very supportive scene, more so than many places I’ve played around Texas.
LsF: If you have a favorite place to play in Texas, where would it be?
LL: Pretty sure I just answered that man… HA!
LsF: Who are some of the local bands that you like to play with and/or listen to?
LL: There’s a lot of great local music going on in north Texas and I’ve made many good friends along the way. Rory Payne, The Usrey Brothers (Tanner is the talented one – You can quote me on that!), Tyler Rogers, and Jessica Grai to name a few. Historically, my favorite from-Dallas bands would have to be The Toadies and Tripping Daisy.
LsF: What are some of the places around Frisco that you like to play at or would want to play at?
LL: Well, other than the places I’ve already played and love, I’d like to play at The Star. A private party for Jerry Jones and the whole Cowboys crew. They could set me up next to the nacho buffet for all I care. I’d do it in a heartbeat. GO COWBOYS!!!
So, if you want to see Luke LaGrange performing live, you can catch him at the Frisco Rail Yard August 17th at 7pm. For all other dates and music information go to lukelagrange.com.
