Meet La Dro | Pop Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with La Dro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi La Dro, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’m 27 now, and I started writing and journaling when I was 17, the peak of my teenage years. I had never felt more out of place and misunderstood than during that time. My identity, my sexuality, that boy from school I fell in love with, my true self, it was all a secret. The pain of hiding and being a hostage to myself was unbearable (sometimes even physical), which led to not wanting to be alive anymore. Sometimes, when you keep a secret, the secret keeps you. I found out that writing was literally my medicine, a way of letting the pain explode into beautiful words, which later turned out to become lyrics, music and songs.

I created La Dro when I was 19, as a medium to express my feelings through music, fashion, performance, and even social interaction. At the time, Leandro (also myself) was still too introverted and self-conscious, but through La Dro, I could be whatever I wanted to be, there was no limit! Everytime I was on stage I felt invincible, ALIVE!

La Dro was my superhero, my savior.

That’s why I became and stayed an artist: art saved my life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I consider art to be a coping mechanism, kind of like alchemy for the soul’s transformation. My art comes from there. It’s a deep place- sometimes it’s my soul, sometimes it’s my ego, but the ultimate goal is to find the right words and sounds to express something as untouchable as feelings into pop music.

I’m really inspired by the night, the complexity of sexuality, and drama, all of which have been main themes of my life (and everyone’s, I guess…). That’s why I take my responsibility as an artist very seriously when it comes to representation. Being a gay artist and a having a platform means I have a social responsibility towards the people who feel close to my work. Art MUST comfort the discomforted.

I started making music in Necochea, a small beach city in the south of Buenos Aires Province.Growing up gay there has been a gift and a curse. The feeling of being misunderstood has always led me to dark places and feelings, but thanks to that discomfort, I created and hosted the first gay party in town, which gave people who felt like I used to a place to belong. It’s one of the biggest things I’ve ever accomplished in my life, and I’m really proud of it!

I moved to Buenos Aires 3 years ago, and it was (and still is) a great challenge. Becoming an adult and finding the places and people you belong with is not easy, specially for the “Ingénue” I was at the time. But, just like I said before, being uncomfortable led me to more creation, so I made my 3rd record: “DRAMA CLUB” (which came out November 30th), a conceptual dark-pop record in which I hold myself accountable for my life, my age, my artistry and my pain: there’s no one to blame- I’m the director of my life.

If I could let the world know something about La Dro is that I’m an ongoing process of self-descovery and transformation, but what I am 100% sure about is that I want to make a change. Even though I’m not a big artits (yet), I always try to take my role as an artist with as much responsibility as I can, because it’s my vocation, and because I want people who felt as lonely and misunderstood as me to feel a sense of belonging. We all deserve a safe place where we can rely on.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I can’t even describe how grateful I am to so many people who have always lifted me up, taught me and believed in me.

I would not be the artist nor the person I am, first of all, without my parents, had they not taught me the real meaning of freedom.

My lifelong friends: Scxlag, Acidnena and La Hija del Chapo, we were the weird gay kids in town, listened to every Gaga record, learned about music, art and pop culture together, and inspired each other to become the version of ourselves we desired to be (also partied like there was no tomorrow!). What I am as an artist, gay, and political being was born with them.

My best friend, Memu, the best singer I’ve ever met. Sky’s the limit when we’re together.

My friend and co-producer, Narbeli, who I’m lucky and grateful to have worked with since my first record. Being in the studio with him almost feels like a spiritual experience. My deepest, and sometimes darkest feelings come out when we work together, and he has always supported and empathized with me, and never has he judged me. He’s just as crazy as I am, and believes that music that’s personal, deep and spiritual can also be pop and commercial!

My band: Mateo Hernandez, Roman Lopez, Nazareno Lihuen, who are also my dear friends. They are the reason I’m on stage and my wildest dreams came true. I’m deeply grateful to them not only for being on stage with me (they are WILDLY talented musicians), but also for their patience and for always speaking the truth to me, even when I don’t want to acknowledge it. That’s what friends are for.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larealdro/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/larealdro

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@larealdro

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3jc7i3yCmM4PQ5GiyA5zax

Image Credits
Ignacio Aniski Nella Bertana Gina Loy M. Eugenia Faria Chiara Padula Diaz Juan Maldonado