Costy L, indie musician

Costy L has been immersed into music from his teens. From start-up guitar and bass playing in a high-school band Costy L has developed into a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and indie producer. His primary instruments are acoustic & electic guitars, bass, Irish bouzouki and percussion. Open tunings, agressive slide and finger-picking are Costy L's guitar playing signatures. His influences range from Led Zeppelin to Tom Waits, from world music to Tool. Costy L is also a PhD in Physics and a scientist.

1984-1990: College. The band "Dynamite": bass, guitars, harmonica. Writing & recording some original material, performing on campus, St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, mostly blues-punk-very-political rock. Achieved the degree of Masters in Physics and Engineering.

1992-1994: Once in a while performing with Pippo Panasci, Francesco Litrico & Friends (Catania, Italy). Writing material for the album "The Three Ravens".

1996: Recording and releasing the "The Three Ravens", Catania, Italy (SIAE). Mostly acoustic album. Only 250 copies were made, the album is not available now.

1997-1999: Studying, playing, writing, recording...

2000: Achieved the degree of Doctor of Philosophy majoring in Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. Published two short stories, co-author of the book "Music Horror Stories" (editor Janet Fisher, Goodnight Kiss Music, Toluca Lake, CA). Co-published the song "Blues Lullaby" with the Transition Music Corporation (music for visual media, Hollywood, CA).

2001: Recording and release of the "DIRTY SKY" album. Credits: writer / producer, vocals, guitars, bass and percussion. Percussion on the title track and the "Full Moon Night" are played by Paul Gueye. The original version is recorded, mixed and mastered at Costy L's homestudio.

2002: Recording and release of "THE IRON MASK" album in collaboration with Powell Randolph (drums) and Annie Johnson (vocals on the "Blues Lullaby" and "Paradise"). Credits: writer / producer, vocals, guitars, bass, percussion and harmonica. The album is nominated for the Best Acoustic Album of the Year by 9VOLT Mag.

2003: Remake of the "DIRTY SKY" album in collaboration with Powell Randolph (drums), Skip DeRupa (engineer). Writing material for the "Pagan Tales".

2004: Producing the "Pagan Tales" album. Musicians involved: Powell Randolph (drums), Steve Stephens (lead guitar), Annie Johnson (b.g. vocals), Skip DeRupa (engineer), Phil Seaford (assistant engineer), Kevin McNoldy and Temple Newbold (mastering). Setting up a ProTools based home-studio... Playing, writing...

2005-2006: Co-writing material for the "Black Sun" project with lyricist Tatyana T. Recording the "Black Sun" album with Steve Christo (didgeridoo), Powell Randolph (drums), Annie Johnson (b.g. vocals). The record is released in November of 2006. Check out Powell's piece on drums (Ready For Contract)!

2007: Engineering Annie Johnson's project (working title "12 Hours") & re-mixing some songs for a compilation release.