User:Carla demarco51150

Carla is a Transgendered singer/songwriter living and performing in the Los Angeles Area.

She grew up in an Italian, Irish, blue-collar small town, alongside the Hudson River in upstate New York. Her mother and father were products of the Greatest Generation. Both meeting after her father returned from WWII.

Neither one of her parents had musical training, but her mom loved to sing and dance. From her, Carla was influenced by classical composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Stravinsky, and introduced to movie scores like “The Magnificent Seven”, “The Sound of Music”, and “Exodus.” And her father played the mouth harp and the harmonica; talents he picked up in the fields of Europe.

Her earliest recollection of being introduced to pop music was dancing in her parent’s bedroom, to a 45 of the Four Tops’ “Same Old Song”, and the Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” Along with her Brother, and two childhood friends: a drummer, and an accordion player, the band “American Freedom” was formed. They covered songs by Burt Bacharach, Sammy Davis Jr. CCR, Johnny Cash, Five Man Electrical Band, The Herman’s Hermits, and of course, the Beatles. After the demise of American Freedom, Carla entered her teens and became influenced by heavier acts, like Led Zeppelin, Steppenwolf, Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Grand Funk Railroad, The Who, and Johnny Winter.

In 1978, Carla, along with her brother, and a drummer, moved to Los Angeles to look for opportunities in the burgeoning Hard Rock scene in Hollywood. However, things didn't work out and she enlisted in the Army. “It was a tough time for me; being 18, coming from a small town, first time on my own, living on the streets, in some strangers car, pan-handling, shop-lifting for food. I don’t know what possessed me; I guess I just wanted to get away, and the army was "looking for a few good men." Plus, I think there was a little bit of that “me trying to be like my father” thing going on; him being in the war and all.”

After a four year tour of duty Carla returned home to the Albany area and played in a handful of Top 40 cover bands; playing the hotels in the Saratoga and Adirondack mountain resort area. She eventually found herself back in Los Angeles in 1985. Since then she has played and performed in a variety of bands and musical styles, mostly as a session/guest bassist, releasing four Albums with International Hard Rock group, "Takara."

In 2012, Carla decided to embark on a solo career. She says, “It was about time. I’ve always had ideas running around in my head, about the sound I'd like to make, the clothes I wanted to wear, and the image I wanted to project, and I feel like now is the right time."

She is currently in the studio finishing her first CD, simply titled, “Carla DeMarco.” “It’s an offering of mid-tempo rock songs and a few ballads. I am also tossing in the rock instrumental “Where Are They Now” to reflect my love of instrumental music.”

The songs cover a range of topics: “Goodbye” delves into her feelings about the passing of time, and not looking back. “Look Straight Ahead” deals with the “state of the world” we are leaving to future generations. “In My Dreams” tells about a dream she had about a "better world", and “Sooner or Later” talks about surprises that life can bring, like finding oneself in a war, or suddenly finding oneself surprisingly attracted to a member of the opposite sex.

Carla already has her sights set on her 2nd CD: "I've got about 70 songs to work on, and I can hear some “gems.” But it can take a while for ideas to germinate and songwriting is a time-consuming process.”

Also, expect to see Carla donning a six-string for live shows. “While bass is my main instrument, I actually started on 6-string. And a recent purchase of a Gretsch Hollow body electric reignited my love for it and the tonal possibilities it brings to songwriting.” Carla hopes to have her first CD released in 2015.