LETTERS TO ELORA

Letters to Elora is:
Andrew Bryce – vocals
Calvin Castellino – drums
Nick Chang-Fong – bass
Jeff Raposo – guitar


Letters to Elora ("LTE") formed in November 2004 when members Andrew Bryce (21), Calvin Castellino (19) and Nick Chang-Fong (19) met in a high school music class. Elora is a street in their Mississauga neighbourhood that connects the three of them.

After collaborating for three months, Letters to Elora developed five tracks that would comprise their debut EP Grand Park. The EP was released in May 2005, and quickly sold out on word of mouth alone.

On September 11th 2006, Letters to Elora introduced the newest member to fans on Rogers Television (Peel). 19 year old Jeff Raposo from Mississauga was added to the group as lead guitarist, replacing a previous member.

What makes Letters to Elora click? The members emphasize that balance is the key to making this band work. They are a band of equals who create songs that their listeners can emotionally attach themselves to. Their passionate yet humble approach to creating music coupled with their honest work ethic sets them apart from other up and coming bands.

LTE's first full-length album, Backdrop, was released in March 2006 through Indie Pool in Canada and The Orchard in the U.S. It was produced and mixed by Andrew in his home studio, and mastered by Greg Dawson (Moneen, Alexisonfire). It is an in your face collection of socially conscious tunes, with lyrics that reflect the experiences of Andrew, complemented by input from his bandmates.

"The writing for Backdrop wasn't easy but it was a process that came naturally. It wasn't about fitting in, it was more about saying what I felt and expressing my emotions and thoughts," says Bryce, who wrote and co-wrote all 10 songs, including "My Sorrows" which he plays without his band mates on the album.

LTE has been winning awards and garnering accolades from fans and industry alike.

Their participation in the North by Northeast Music Festival (NXNE) in June 2006 won them the "Rogers NXNE People's Choice Award" when they received the most text message and ballot votes for fans' favourite NXNE band. The award came with a cheque from Rogers Wireless for $5,000, along with downloadable ring tunes ("Wasted Away," "Find You") that are now available for free to Rogers Wireless customers.

"I was totally shocked when I found out we won. It felt really good to know that people actually cared when the night before I had no idea that anyone had even heard of us, heard our music or seen our show... but I guess I was wrong. I wish every time I was wrong it felt so good," says Chang-Fong on their NXNE win.


With the winnings, LTE headed to Metalworks Studios to re-record "Wasted Away" and "Find You" from Backdrop to what is today known as the ‘radio versions.' The tracks were produced by Greg Van Bastelaar (Big Boom Entertainment), engineered/mixed by Ian Bodzasi, and mastered by Brett Zilahi for Joao Carvalho Mastering.

"I felt really privileged to record at Metalworks. It was an absolutely surreal experience. There we were in Metalworks Studios surrounded by platinum and gold records from some of the biggest artists in the history of modern music. It makes you wonder, is there a place for us on that wall? After all, they were once where we are now. Is it possible that we could someday be where they are?" says Castellino.


LTE have been nominated for 2 Toronto Independent Music Awards ("Best Song – Wasted Away" and "Best Alternative"), taking home the award for ‘Best Alternative'

Most recently, LTE has entered the Top 100 in Music Sales on Amazon.ca with Backdrop, at a sales rank high of #31 (September 2006), and #12 in October 2006.

"The LTE fans are a rowdy bunch, so playing for them is a real privilege. It's what every artist dreams of: playing for an audience that they can feed off of. When you're in a space so full of energy it's impossible not to be moved by it," says Raposo about showing off his strings to current and future fans.

In November 2006, LTE won "Punk Artist of the Year" at the Los Angeles Music Awards, and were nominated twice in the category for "Punk Single of the Year" for both ‘Wasted Away' and ‘Find You.'

In March 2007, Letters to Elora made their USA Live Debut at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, CA to much acclaim from major label A&R and major talent agents.

THIS SUMMER, Letters to Elora debut their new single, "NEVER LET YOU DOWN" which was produced by Chris Perry for UOMO International LLC.
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