Follow Your Favorite Band Today!
Be the first one to follow Lydia!
Top Lydia Community Posts
Loading posts...
Sponsor content
Band Timeline
2003
Formation and Early Days of Lydia
Lydia, an American indie rock band, was formed in Gilbert, Arizona, in 2003. The founding members—Leighton Antelman, William Bradford, Evan Arambul, and Steve McGraw—began writing music and booking shows as early as seventh grade, initially playing under the names Rolo 15 and Nextabest before settling on Lydia. Early on, the band added drummer Loren Briton and bassist Dustin Forsgren. They gained exposure after winning a contest that landed one of their songs on the compilation album Atticus: ...Dragging the Lake, Vol. 3, marking their first broader recognition.
2005
Debut Album Release and Initial Success
Lydia released their debut album, This December; It's One More and I'm Free, through HOURZERO Records, an Arizona-based label. This album established their foothold in the indie rock scene and led to extensive touring across the United States. Their sound, characterized by emotive lyrics and melodic instrumentation, gained them a dedicated fanbase. The band also started participating in prominent tours such as the Zumiez Couch Tour, Vans Warped Tour, and The Bamboozle festival, helping to raise their national profile and set the stage for future successes.
2007
Recognition and Continued Touring
In 2007, Lydia's growing prominence was affirmed when they won the Best Emo Band award at the Arizona Ska Punk Awards. This recognition came amid active touring and recording, as the band continued to solidify their presence in the indie rock community. This year marked a period of momentum, with the group refining their sound and expanding their audience, setting the groundwork for their next album release, Illuminate.
2008
Release of Illuminate and Increased Acclaim
On March 18, 2008, Lydia released their second album, Illuminate. The album further showcased their indie rock style and lyrical depth, gaining critical praise and fan enthusiasm. Following the release, Lydia signed with Low Altitude Records and re-released Illuminate in October. They undertook several tours across the country, including supporting acts like The Dear Hunter, Eye Alaska, and You, Me, and Everyone We Know. Their music video for "I Woke Up Near The Sea" gained significant attention and won Video of the Year at the Arizona Ska Punk Awards, underscoring their creative growth and increasing visibility.
2009
Touring and Acoustic EP Release
Lydia continued their rigorous touring schedule in 2009, headlining their "Illuminate Yourself Tour" with support from Black Gold and engaging in west coast tours with PlayRadioPlay!, Eye Alaska, and Brave Citizens. On October 12, 2009, they released Hotel Sessions, a tour-only EP featuring acoustic renditions of four songs from their debut album. This release highlighted the band's versatility and their willingness to reinterpret their music in more intimate arrangements, pleasing longtime fans and demonstrating their musical range.
2010
Hiatus Announcement and Final Album Before Breakup
In 2010, Lydia faced significant changes and announced a breakup after a farewell tour. Lost band member Mindy White left in March, and guitarist Steve McGraw departed in July before the farewell tour commenced. Their third studio album, Assailants, was released on July 20 and briefly ranked within the top 15 album sales. Despite promising new music and touring, the band declared their impending dissolution after the "Lydia Finale: A Goodbye & Farewell Tour," citing changes in member priorities. Plans for a DVD documenting the farewell were thwarted by a data loss incident. A final Australian leg was announced before the break, and a music video for "I've Never Seen A Witch" was released, marking the end of an era.
2011
Return from Hiatus and New Releases
Lydia returned from hiatus in September 2011 with the release of a new song, "Dragging Your Feet in the Mud," signaling a renewed creative phase. In October, they released the album Paint It Golden, further evolving their sound and reconnecting with their fanbase. In December, continuing their momentum, they released a cover of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," demonstrating their ongoing artistic activity and desire to engage listeners with fresh and diverse material post-hiatus.
Albums
Sponsor content
Members
History
Name
Begin
End
Occupation
Mindy White
N/A
2010
Story of Lydia
Hailing from Gilbert, Arizona, Lydia emerged from the fertile indie rock scene in 2003. The band's journey began even earlier, however, with Leighton Antelman, William Bradford, Evan Arambul, and Steve McGraw honing their songwriting and performance skills from the tender age of seventh grade, first as Rolo 15, then Nextabest, while attending Greenfield Jr. High. After the latter incarnation disbanded, Antelman and McGraw persevered, recruiting drummer Loren Briton and bassist Dustin Forsgren. Their persistence paid off: a contest victory landed them a track on the Atticus: ...Dragging the Lake, Vol. 3 compilation.
This breakthrough led to a record deal with Arizona's HourZero Records, resulting in their debut album, This December; It's One More and I'm Free. Since then, Lydia have conquered the road, racking up miles on extensive tours across the US, and sharing stages with major acts at prestigious festivals like the Zumiez Couch Tour, Vans Warped Tour, and Bamboozle.
Sponsor content
Learn more about Lydia
