LGBTQ+ activist LP and Powerhouse musician joins WTOP before rocking The Anthem in DC

The LGBTQ+ activist artists LP was born March 18, 1981, sometimes credited by their birth name Laura Pergolizzi, is an American singer, musician and songwriter.

LP has released six albums and three EPs. LP has written songs for other artists including Cher, Rihanna, the Backstreet Boys, Leona Lewis, Mylène Farmer, Céline Dion and Christina Aguilera.

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LP was featured by David Lowery of the band Cracker on "Cinderella", a hidden track on the band's 1998 album, Gentleman's Blues, which featured LP's backing vocals on two other tracks.

Lowery followed up by producing LP's debut album Heart-Shaped Scar, released in 2001 through Koch Records. LP's second album, Suburban Sprawl & Alcohol, was released in June 2004 through Lightswitch Records. On the record, they collaborated with songwriter and music producer Linda Perry.

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LP’s music career launched with the help of David Lowery of the rock band Cracker, who featured LP on the band’s fourth album “Gentleman’s Blues” (1998) in the hidden track “Cinderella.”

He had a tour manager that wanted to be my manager at the time and he loved my voice, I started singing some backup, then he asked me to co-write a song he had started called ‘Cinderella,'” LP said.

“I went out like a little mascot on their tour and it got me going, then I got a record deal and I asked him to produced it — and he did.”

LP Later realized early on that he didn’t really want to embark on the ‘white girl blues singer’ thing, “I was fascinated with songwriting the most. I had a really hard time picturing myself getting somewhere as an artist, I’ll be honest, because I don’t look the way I’m supposed to or act the way I’m supposed to — and I don’t want to.” LP said

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Along the way, LP has found unlikely success in countries that are not always LGBTQ-friendly in Eastern Europe and Latin America. They filmed the video for “Dayglow” in Czechia to advocate for marriage equality there, while in Russia, oligarchs have come to LP’s shows to stand side-by-side with LGBTQ+ teens not yet out in the open.

“I just believe in people,” LP said. “Religion and governments, I don’t believe in either of them. I believe in people. I think when you come up to me, my energy says just that. I’m about love and connection with people through that and I don’t really have time for a bunch of dudes that think they own the land or people or anything. … You don’t own s—.”

Through it all, LP remains defiant of anyone who wants to tell others what to do.

“It might sound like I’ve got a chip on my shoulder, you bet your a — I’ve got a chip on my shoulder!” LP said.

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“There’s just a freshness, like a freedom to it somehow. There’s always kind of a looking within vibe, but this one in particular it feels more so than usual, but there’s also something really easy about it. I mean, it’s the first record I’ve ever written single. … You’ll definitely hear some ‘Lost on You’ for sure, but we’re rotating in all kinds of songs. … I sprinkle in the hits.”

In conclusion LP state how inspiring it is for him to keep going. "I have respect for myself for keeping going and I would implore anybody to do the same because it feels good at the end of the day. No one’s going to come to your house and pull a guitar out of your hand. Just keep going and writing and believing that you can do it, because you can."

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