James Lugo's Vocal Asylum

Vocal Asylum is the brainchild of world-renowned musician James Lugo. After moving to Los Angeles in 2000, fate would have it that James would meet vocal coach and owner of Premier West Entertainment Susan Nelson Howell. Susan's encouragement and guidance was all it took to unleash the floodgates of James' potential. Having been a voice teacher in the 90's in Florida, James began to teach and lecture nationally and internationally, soon being recognized as a new breed of modern vocal coach teaching a more radio-oriented style of singing and screaming. James' Who's Who client list speaks for itself.

Soon after a less-than-satisfactory experience recording in 2002, James soon built Hemispheres Recording, a world-class Pro Tools studio. The studio does everything from rock, pop, and metal to country, hip-hop, dance, and rap.

In 2005 Warner Brothers composer and long time friend Tim Edwards commissioned James to write some songs with him for the hit TV show 'Supernatural' and Writing Giants Music Publishing was born. Since then James has done many projects with Tim and in 2006, James became a staff composer for Pacific Ocean Post (POP Sound) in Santa Monica where James composed and recorded a plethora of music for film, television, and commercials.

Following a season hosting TV shows for American Idol, capped off by James hosting on the red carpet on finale day at the Nokia Center in Los Angeles for a television audience of 80 million people, James embarked on a most profound journey…a journey that would demand the kind of synergy all his talents and recourses were ready to summon, artist development, focusing on songwriting, music production and recording, publishing, copyright, vocal coaching, hair & makeup, wardrobe, photography, choreography, web design, video, shopping record deals and tour support.

In 2011 Hemispheres Recording was expanded to a larger facility and an SSL 6048 E|G+ mixing console was added to the already hefty arsenal of gear. With the SSL came the birth of a new business model, SSL Mixing Online. SSLMixingOnline.com is the new mixing model for today's up and coming artists and bands no matter where you live in the world. You can now have your music finished by world-class mixers on the ultimate mixing platform, an SSL E Series console. You are live in our studio via Skype and listening in real time at full bandwidth via Source-Live to your music as it's being mixed. It is truly the best of both worlds. We work as a team to fulfill your musical vision. So whether you are creating a song demo, indie release or major label record SSLMixingOnline.com can accomodate most any budget.

Well you are up to date with what's happening in Lugoland! My life has been a journey not unlike the journey you're on. There are no coincidences; you're here for a reason. Good luck and keep the faith.

James Lugo
Singer / Songwriter / Guitarist
Vocal Coach / Producer/Artist Manager
ASCAP / SGA
Email James!

Accomplishments:

Guest Appearance on The TV Guide Channel's Hit Show
'Idol Wrap'. Airing the week of Friday March 14th 2008
Hosted by Justin Guarini & Kimberly Caldwell
James was on the show as a vocal expert
critiquing the contestants.

Guest Appearance on The TV Guide Channel's Hit Show
'Idol Tonight'. Airing the week of Wednesday March 26th 2008
Hosted by Justin Guarini & Kimberly Caldwell
James was on the show as a vocal expert
critiquing the contestants.

Friday June 9th 2006 @ 10:30pm
E! Entertainment Television Features
James Lugo on
The Chelsea Handler Show
Episode 'Triple Threat'

Founder of Vocal Asylum, Rock & Pop Voice Institute in Los Angeles, CA

James Lugo, Voted LA's Best Rock Singer of 2004!
- California Song Magazine

Featured Guest Lecturer @ the
"2001 Career Voice Symposium",
"2002 Career Voice Symposium"
"2003 Career Voice Symposium" @ Universal, CA

TV appearance on MTV's 'Date My Mom' as the vocal coach.

Author of the book "Singers Secrets"

Featured article in Music Connection Magazine, August 2001 addition, a personal interview with James Lugo, Singing Tips For The Pro

Columnist for California Song Magazine

Featured article in LA Beat Magazine. "James Lugo's newest CD, Redemption is receiving a plethora of well deserved attention"
- LA Beat Magazine, July 17th 2002, Issue #21

Featured article and reveiw in the Italian magazine, "Slam Rock"

Guest Speaker for "The Samm Brown Show"
on KPFK 90.7 FM, Los Angeles, 4/23/02
Subject: Rock Vocal Technique!

Guest lecturer for the Los Angeles Music Productions
Vocal Mecca @ Cinespace
6356 Hollywood Blvd. (second floor)
Hollywood, California
Interactive Workshops for Singers, Actors, and Studio Vocalists by L.A.'s Top Vocal Coaches
"Vocal Mecca" will feature interactive workshops with L.A.'s top vocal coaches that will provide the tools that singers, actors, studio vocalists, vocal coaches and voiceover artists need to take their vocal talents to the next level. Featuring James Lugo, Lisa Popiel, Roger Burnley and Steven Memel

Choral Director for the 2000 "A Christmas Carol", performed
@ the El Portan Theater of the Performing Arts, Los Angeles, CA

Board of Directors, Synthesis Performing Arts, Los Angeles, CA

Vice President of Production at Premier West Entertainment, Universal, CA

Showcased Artist at the "International Music Expo", Nashville, TN

Signed as a solo artist, Platinum Records, Nashville, TN

Presently working closely with top Producers, Record Labels, A&R, Stage & Screen Stars and Songwriters

Training & Schooling:

Broward College:
Majored in Classical Guitar
Minored in Classical Piano / Music Theory

Private Voice Instruction:
Nate Lam, Jewish Cantor, David Coverdale, Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie
Michael Goodrich, Level 5 Seth Riggs Instructor, Top Credential
Susan Nelson Howell, Julliard School for the Performing Arts
Gina Morreta, Bel Canto, Steve Perry, Gloria Estefan

Private Guitar Instruction:
Paul Gilbert, Mr. Big, Racer X
Rick Atheras, Guitar God!!
Bruce Builet, Racer X
Dr. Ken Keaton, Classical

A.C.T. (Actor Career Training):
Tom Capps, Lee Strassberg Instructor
1. Building the Character, Stanislovsky -Diploma
2. Scene Study -Diploma
3. Improvisation -Diploma
4. Cold Call -Diploma

Vocal Asylum, Hemispheres Recording & SSLMixingOnline.com
Raleigh, NC / Los Angeles, CA / 919.800.8049 / 818.259.0190 / james@jameslugo.com

Warning: Some information and techniques gathered in this database by correspondence or otherwise can cause harm or injury to you or other persons if misused or applied incorrectly. Please consult a physician or professional vocal instructor before attempting techniques that may be suggested by second or third parties. Vocal Asylum, James Lugo, his affiliates, and staff make no warranties as to the source or effectiveness or techniques found in this database. By submitting your information to this database, you hereby warrant and agree to all of the above statements and conditions. This website and all of its contents belong to James Lugo and if he doesn't scare you, maybe his attorneys can.