Leilani Patao

Leilani Patao
GenresIndie, Hyperpop, Singer-Songwriter, Electronic
OccupationsMusician, engineer
LabelAudio Antihero

Leilani Patao is a Hawaiian-American[1][2][3] musician, vocalist and songwriter from Los Angeles, California.[4][5][6] They are based in Brooklyn, New York.[7][8]

Education and musical theater (2012 - 2026)

Leilani Patao began their musical theater and songwriting education at the Jaxx Theatricals Conservatory[9] before enrolling at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where they performed in productions including Jesus Christ Superstar.[10][11]

In 2021, Patao performed at the "I’m Still Here" virtual benefit for The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts’ Billy Rose Theatre Division.[12][13][14] That same year, they appeared, as a representative of LACHSA,[15][16] in "Louder Than Words: High School Edition” to promote tick… tick… BOOM!.[17][18]

In 2022, Patao performed at the American Theater Wing gala.[19][20][21] The following year, they were a finalist in the 2023 Write Out Loud songwriting competition.[22]

During their academic career, Patao received awards and nominations from the National Endowment for the Arts,[23][24][25] YoungArts,[26][27] the National Youth Arts Awards,[28] and the Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative.[29][30] They also received a scholarship from the Jack Kent Cook Foundation.[31]

Singer-songwriter career (2021 - present)

Early releases (2021 - 2024)

In 2021, Leilani Patao began self-releasing albums of their original songs with The Lovers Reversed, which was followed by You Always Loved Reading the next year. Patao also played and recorded[32] with the Prophet Tree punk band.[7]

Between March and June 2024, Patao issued the "Make Believe," “I Know," and "LABEL" singles.[33][34][35] Patao appeared on the June 17 broadcast of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as part of the "Battle of the Instant Songwriters."[36][4][37] The But What If? album was released on July 19.[38][7]

Label debut (2025 - present)

In July 2025, Leilani Patao deejayed an "Intern Mix" set for Bayonet Records on The Lot Radio.[39] In September, they debuted on the Audio Antihero,[40][41][42] and released with the "Cut" single,[43][44][45] which was followed by "BIRD WHISTLE" in October.[46][47][48] The daisy EP was issued on November 7.[49][50][51]

daisy was followed by the "Red Hair Dye" single and remixes by Benjamin Shaw and iyrliaes.[52][53]

Patao withheld these 2025 releases from streaming services.[54][55][56]

Discography

Albums

  • The Lovers Reversed (Self-Released, 2021)
  • You Always Loved Reading (Self-Released, 2022)
  • But What If? (Self-Released, 2024)

EPs

Singles

  • "Make Believe” (Self-Released, 2024)
  • "I Know" (Self-Released, 2024)
  • "LABEL" (Self-Released, 2024)
  • "Cut" (Audio Antihero, 2025)
  • "BIRD WHISTLE" (Audio Antihero, 2025)
  • "Red Hair Dye" (Audio Antihero, 2025)

Compilation appearances

  • #IWriteMusicals: Musical Theater Songwriter Challenge [2020 Edition] (American Theatre Wing, 2020) – Contributed "Mauna Kea”

Other credits

  • Miai – "I Will Shine (Miai's Song)" (Hear Your Song, 2022) - Arrangement and performance
  • Nico Bauwer – What's Left (Rat's Nest Records, 2022) - Backing vocals (tracks 3–4, 11)
  • Nico Bauwer – The Right Things for Us Now (Self-Released, 2022) - Bass and vocals (track 1)
  • Prophet Tree – "Missing – Single" (Flower Shop Audio, 2024) - Vocals, writing and production
  • Linchpin – "Around the Knife - Single" (Nosedive Records, 2024) - Backing vocals
  • Prophet Tree – Goes ___ (Flower Shop Audio, 2024) - Backing Vocals, writing, and production (track 6) + Drum production (tracks 1–16)
  • Misster – Admit We're Lost (Love Your Shoes Music, 2025) - Bass (Track 7), Backing Vocals (track 10)
  • Grace Church – "South - Single" (Self-Released, 2025) - Production, mixing, and engineering

References

  1. ^ WXXO-FM, Classical 91 5 (2023-12-18). "From the Top features community activist and baritone Raghav Ramgopal, Sun 1/21 @ 5pm". WXXI Classical. Retrieved 2026-01-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Aloha 'Oe". Daily Joy. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  3. ^ Sur, Kevin. "KEXP Sounds of Survivance Playlist (Nov 17 2025)". FMSpins. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  4. ^ a b The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2024-06-17). Battle of the Instant Songwriters: A Scratch-Off Lottery Ticket, Waited Too Long to Get My Beach Bod. Retrieved 2026-01-01 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ X (2020-05-10). "The day coronavirus canceled prom and everything else for an L.A. high school singer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  6. ^ Doyle, Jon (2026-01-09). "Year in Review: 2025". Various Small Flames. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  7. ^ a b c Campbell, Caleb. "Premiere: Leilani Patao Shares New EP 'daisy'". Under the Radar Magazine. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  8. ^ Blake, Thomas (2025-11-10). "Leilani Patao – daisy". KLOF Mag. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  9. ^ Dailey, Frankie (2023-08-21). "Meet Past Winners of the Songwriting Challenge". NAMT. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  10. ^ LACHSA (2020-12-13). "LACHSA Students Featured in LA Times". LACHSA. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
  11. ^ "High school performing arts were shut down by coronavirus. Will it derail students' careers?". Los Angeles Times. 2020-05-10. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
  12. ^ Miller, Deb (2021-06-20). "A 90th anniversary benefit for the Library of the Performing Arts' Billy Rose Theatre Division". DC Theater Arts. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  13. ^ "Star-Studded I'm Still Here Virtual Benefit, Honoring George C. Wolfe and Late Harold Prince, Premieres June 23". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2025-11-08. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  14. ^ Wild, Stephi. "NYPL Billy Rose Theatre Division Will Celebrate 90 Years with I'M STILL HERE Virtual Benefit". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  15. ^ "Cinematic Arts Archives". LACHSA Foundation. Retrieved 2026-01-05.
  16. ^ Sirikul, Laura (2021-11-19). "High School Performing Arts Students Celebrate 'tick… tick… BOOM!'". The Nerds of Color. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  17. ^ "'tick, tick…BOOM!' is a sound 'Louder than Words' for LA students starring in Netflix video". Daily News. 2021-12-03. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  18. ^ Still Watching Netflix (2021-11-19). Lin-Manuel Miranda's "Louder Than Words" High School Edition | tick, tick… BOOM! | Netflix. Retrieved 2026-01-01 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ and Caitlin Hornik (2022-09-13). "American Theatre Wing's gala honors Antoinette Perry and women in theater". Broadway News. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  20. ^ Moore, Deanna. "Performers Have Been Announced For The American Theatre Wing's Annual Gala". iHeartRadio Broadway. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  21. ^ Glikas, Bruce. "Photos: Inside The American Theatre Wing Annual Gala". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  22. ^ Cristi, A. A. "Finalists Announced For The 2023 WRITE OUT LOUD CONTEST". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  23. ^ Editors, American Theatre (2020-10-09). "NEA, American Theatre Wing Announce Songwriting Winners". AMERICAN THEATRE. Retrieved 2026-01-01. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  24. ^ "Go Inside the American Theatre Wing's Antoinette Gala Celebrating Women in Theatre". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2025-07-15. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  25. ^ "Leilani Patao". The American Theatre Wing. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  26. ^ "National YoungArts Foundation (2021 YoungArts Winners)" (PDF). youngarts.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-08-11. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
  27. ^ LACHSA (2020-12-19). "A LOOK BACK AT 2020: CELEBRATING OUR SUCCESSES". LACHSA. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
  28. ^ "National Youth Arts – ArtsDig – Resource for youth arts". www.nationalyouththeatre.com. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  29. ^ "America Theatre Wing". The American Theatre Wing. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  30. ^ "Beginning the Journey | Dramatists Guild". www.dramatistsguild.com. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  31. ^ "Jack Kent Cooke Young Artists 2022". From the Top. Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  32. ^ "WNYU 89.1 FM". wnyu.org. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
  33. ^ "NPR Tiny Desk Contest 2024: Winners and Local Artists | WFUV". WFUV. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  34. ^ ""i know" by Leilani Patao. Combat Rock Thu Nov 27 with Teddie Chappell on WNYU". Spinitron. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  35. ^ "WNYU 89.1 FM". wnyu.org. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  36. ^ Doyle, Jon (2025-09-16). "Weekly Listening: September 2025 #3". Various Small Flames. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  37. ^ "daisy - Turn & Work". 2025-11-07. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  38. ^ "WNYU 89.1 FM". wnyu.org. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  39. ^ The Lot Radio (2025-07-19). Bayonet Records with Leilani Patao Intern Mix @TheLotRadio 07-18-2025. Retrieved 2026-01-21 – via The Lot Radio on YouTube.
  40. ^ "Muso's Guide - Leilani Patao is Pushing Up Daisy". Muso's Guide. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  41. ^ "EP's Of The Year 2025". Postcards from the Underground. 2025-12-09. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  42. ^ Doyle, Jon (2026-01-09). "Year in Review: 2025". Various Small Flames. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  43. ^ Marty, Arnaud (2025-09-21). "NEW VIDEO: Leilani Patao – "Cut"". HighClouds. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  44. ^ "NY Slice: Local Artists | WFUV". wfuv.org. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  45. ^ Club, Rue Defense Tape (2026-02-02). "Behind-the-Scenes Content Is The Next Wave For Artists". Rue Defense Tape Club. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  46. ^ "Video Of The Week #306: Leilani Patao – Bird Whistle – God Is In The TV". 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  47. ^ "FM4 Heartbeat – Playlist vom 6.10.2025". FM4 (in German). 2025-10-06. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  48. ^ "Leilani Patao shares new single 'BIRD WHISTLE'". LOUD WOMEN. 2025-10-02. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  49. ^ "Album Of The Week: Sorry 'COSPLAY'". stereogum.com. 2025-11-04. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  50. ^ "EP: Leilani Patao – daisy". Indie For Bunnies (in Italian). Retrieved 2026-01-03.
  51. ^ Campbell, Caleb. "Premiere: Leilani Patao Shares New EP 'daisy'". Under the Radar Magazine.
  52. ^ Staff, The Alt Editing (2025-11-18). "Video Premiere: Leilani Patao – "Red Hair Dye"". The Alternative. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  53. ^ "Red Hair Dye". Hype Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
  54. ^ "Brooklyn Indie Artist Leilani Patao Releases Engaging Debut EP 'Daisy' » LIVING LIFE FEARLESS". LIVING LIFE FEARLESS. 2025-12-16. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  55. ^ Doyle, Jon (2025-10-03). "Leilani Patao – BIRD WHISTLE". Various Small Flames. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  56. ^ Writer, Guest (2025-11-10). ""The Making of 'daisy' – and Why It's Not on Streaming": An Essay by Leilani Patao". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
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