DIAMOND DREAMER (Aiden Leslie)

Aiden Leslie has become known for using his records as personal diary entries. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I hid for a long time and only found a lot of darkness by doing it,” he says. “Sharing experiences can be powerful.  It helps me to express myself, and hopefully it may help someone else too.”
His latest track, “Diamond Dreams,” depicts the journey he launched six days after his high school graduation when he left his sleepy Ohio hometown for the bright lights, big city of New York to become the music performer he is today.
He’s doing something right.  Aiden Leslie competes for “Best Male Performer” at this year’s Glam Awards, taking place Sunday, November 18, at XL Nightclub.  He is also unleashing brand-new remixes of “Diamond Dreams” by Klubjumpers, Tim Letteer, Julian Marsh, Joe Mancuso, Mike Degen and The All Nighters.

Congrats on your Glam Awards nomination! 
Thank you!

Is being nominated enough or do you really want the win?
[laughs] Both! It sounds cliché, but yes, being nominated is a great feeling. And of course, I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to win.

Do fans understand the amount of blood, sweat and tears that goes into making a record?  
Unless you’re in the business of making records, it would be difficult for anyone to truly understand. It’s not only an incredibly tedious, long, technical process, but an artistic one as well. You can spend days perfecting the right drum loop or bass sound, and once the record is complete, it is often just the beginning of getting it out to the fans. It can take months or longer to present the record in the best way possible.

What was your biggest accomplishment of 2012?
My latest single, “Diamond Dreams.” Also, the opportunity to perform live around the country as much as I have. It’s been an honor to get out and meet all the people that have been supporting me.

Would you say you have achieved your diamond dream?
The way I look at it, I feel as if I have. There is so much more to do and learn, but I can say I feel blessed to have been able to do what I have up to this point.