The real Darren Colvil performs a song from his band A Tell Tale Heart at the book release party for "Dream Catchers". Note: fictional Darren's last name is spelled Colville. That was real Darren's idea 
Sandy Lo with singer/actor Alexander Kikis and Tortured producer and performer, James Manzello. Alex and James performed "Haley's Letter" at the "Dream Catchers" book release party.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/torturedband
Facebook: www.facebook.com/torturedband
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/haleys-letter/id356084511
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Haleys-Letter/dp/B0038FSKYC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287583773&sr=1-1
Cafe Press: http://www.cafepress.com/dreamcatchers10 (Buy Tortured & other Dream Catchers apparel)
“Haley’s Letter”
Copyright 2009
Engineered and Co-Produced by Frans Mernick.
Produced, music & performed by James Manzello.
Lyrics by Sandy Lo.
Look into her sad eyes
Her life’s spinning round
She can’t see the beauty that I found
Luckily I wrote it down
Chorus:
And this is my letter
Haley, I’ll miss you when you’re gone
So please take my letter
And remember me
Verse 2:
She fainted in my arms
There was no one else around
My world stood still, I couldn’t hear a sound
I kissed her as the moon looked down
Chorus:
And this is my letter
Haley, I miss you now you’re gone
So please take my letter
And remember me
Bridge:
If you can’t sleep at night
It’ll be all right
Just look out to the sky
And forget our goodbye
Chorus:
And hold onto this letter
Haley, I miss you now you’re gone
So please keep my letter
And remember me, remember me
Hailing from NYC, Tortured consists of edgy crooner Jordan Walsh (vocals/guitar), Danny D. (vocals/drums), Sebastian Lo (keys) and Darren Colville (bass). With relatable angsty lyrics, intricate instrumentation, and a flawless live show, Tortured is set to be the next big thing in rock music! Lead singer, Walsh is not only mesmerizing with his strong vocals, but he’s charismatic and knows how to control any stage.
The band was formed in 2006 by high school best friends Jordan and Danny D. The two began writing songs and jamming together. Danny brought Darren into the band after posting flyers around New York school bulletin boards looking for a bass player and drummer. Sebastian was playing in another band, but left to pursue music more seriously with Tortured.
Since then, Tortured has performed all over New York City occasionally expanding upstate and in cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and Farmingdale. More recently, Tortured won Smack Magazine’s Battle of the Bands competition which garnered them an opening spot for multi-platinum artist, Landry, whom Tortured lists as a musical influence. Now with a devout, cult-like following, increasing airplay on rock radio, the band was able to sign a deal with Struck Records.
When asked about the harsh sounding name of the band, Walsh says, “Every single person is a tortured soul. Everyone goes through something they struggle with, that eats them up inside. We wanted a name that everyone could relate to and draw emotion from.” The band’s music also draws out raw emotion like their first single “Detonate”, a pure rock track fueled by anger and about being pushed to the limit. Tracks like “Break The Mold” and the somewhat morbid “Unborn” follow suit. However, taking a surprising turn with their sound is “Haley’s Letter”–an unexpected love song thrown in the mix, but keeps the alternative sound Tortured is creating for themselves. In the same vain comes the title track, “Breaking The Moon” and “I’m OK”.
Tortured’s debut album, Breaking The Moon is currently being recorded and will hopefully be released in 2011.
“Aside from Jordan Walsh, I based the band members of Tortured on real people in my life. Each of these guys has had an impact on my life in some way and I thought everyone should know who they are.” – Sandy Lo
Sebastian
In real life, Sebie is my one and only older brother. Like his character, he is always teasing someone and is protective, especially of his baby sister. My brother doesn’t really play the piano/keys too well, but he was in the U.S. Army’s marching band as a trumpet player. Musically, my brother is more into R&B than rock, which is where his beat-boxing comes into play on occasion in “Dream Catchers”.
Danny D.
Danny DeQuatro is a good friend of mine that I met years ago while we both worked at Starbucks. I would say out of everyone, Danny is most like his character, in the sense that he’s all heart when it comes down to it, even though he may come off like he’s a tough guy. He’s an awesome friend. As far as his real life musical talents, his secret talent is rapping! That’s my Danizzle!
Darren Colville
Darren Colvil is another friend of mine from that same Starbucks on Richmond Avenue in Staten Island. Though his character wears glasses, Darren had lasik eye surgery and no longer needs them. Real life Darren is not as odd as the fictional version, thankfully. Darren does make rapid eye movements on occasion like his character, but he’s full of sarcasm and wit. Darren actually plays the guitar and not bass in a local band in Staten Island, NY.
Tortured is the fictional band from Sandy Lo’s novel “Dream Catchers”. Always inspired by music, Sandy listened to alternative/rock while writing “Dream Catchers”, especially one of her favorite bands, 30 Seconds To Mars, who she cites as Tortured’s main influence. “Haley’s Letter” is the song featured in “Dream Catchers” that was written by Sandy along with James Manzello, whom also co-produced the track with Frans Mernick as well as performs it under the Tortured band name. A full-length album is in the works, hopefully to coincide with the release of Dream Catchers’ sequel, “Breaking The Moon”. The album will also be of the same title. Currently, “Haley’s Letter” is available to purchase on iTunes and other major online retailers. Sandy thought it would be fun to keep the characters alive by giving their music a real sound and allowing their personalities to come out on Tortured’s Twitter page. Check out the rest of this section for more on Tortured like their bio, lyrics and related photos.
//
Release Date: January 26, 2010
Genre: Romance/Coming of Age/Fiction
Purchase: Lulu, Amazon & Kindle.
Dreams come true only if you believe in them…
Haley Foster never bothered to believe in herself or find her dream. Growing up with a silver spoon in her mouth, her parents gave her everything she needed except freedom. Without many friends and ridden with a bad case of social anxiety, she dreads her return home from college to be a summer intern at her father’s law firm. She realizes she’s stuck in a life she’s not sure she wants.
Fate steps in at the bus station when Haley bumps into Jordan Walsh, literally. His unpolished manners and rock star attitude rile her, though she is oddly drawn to him.
Haley and Jordan’s opposing personalities clash while on the bus–before they wind up stranded together! Haley finds herself in quite a predicament with no way to get home. Jordan challenges her to escape her wealthy conformity and go with him to New York, despite their disgust for one another.
Haley is enthralled with the carefree, in control and gorgeous Jordan, yet he remains a stranger to her in many ways. With his help, Haley begins to discover who she is and what she wants. She finds herself at a crossroads: go back to her old life where she merely exists or take a stand and chase her dreams.
It’s been a very long time since I blogged, huh? Well, part of that reason is my head is a scramble of book releases, interviews, work, internships, friends/family and sleep deprivation! LOL! I may be turning into Haley Foster (from “Dream Catchers” available now!!!)…if you read the first 2 chapters, you’ll know she has trouble sleeping.
See, I prefer NOT to sleep, lol. That’s 8 hours I could be writing! But sleep is needed and I do enjoy dreaming. I keep dreaming about my mother coming back to life…I wonder if that means she’s visiting me in my sleep, or my memories of her are so fresh that it feels like she’s still with me.
Anyway, I’m on Madison Avenue today. Anna Sundstrand and her mom went back to Sweden for the holidays and offered up their apartment to me for the week. Of course any opportunity to get off Staten Island is taken for me! I would love to live in Manhattan one day…
So many exciting things happening–besides the holidays, which I love–“Dream Catchers” is on sale today!! I know the release date is officially January 26th, BUTTTT I’ve decided to make it available earlier for the holidays!
Also, I’m working on a Sandy-lo.com store where you can find both “Lost In You”, “Dream Catchers”, and cool merchandise like t-shirts, totes, etc. Also, “Haley’s Letter” – the song I wrote with James Manzello will be available for purchase through there as well. The Cafe Press store for “Dream Catchers” is now available: http://www.cafepress.com/DreamCatchers10.
Okay, so that’s all I have to say for now…I’m waiting to hear back in regards to an interview with Thirty Seconds To Mars…say a prayer for me! I LOVE them! In fact, they were the inspiration to many things Tortured in “Dream Catchers”. Oh, in case you’re wondering–Tortured is the band that Jordan is in. Man, I can’t wait for you to read this book already!!! There’s so much to discuss! lol.
For now, check out Tortured’s MySpace page and become their friend! (I run this page for fun, lol. Tortured is NOT real, but based off real people!). Go to: http://www.myspace.com/torturedmusic.
Oh! And reminder: if you’re in the NYC area on January 23, 2010 – come to Cargo Cafe in Staten Island @ 7pm for the “Dream Catchers” release party where you can celebrate the book, my birthday and see awesome performers like James Manzello (performing “Haley’s Letter” for the first time!), Anna Sundstrand (my dear friend and awesome singer/actress), and Harlem Witness (my rapping friend Shawn).
Until next time…
Hugs, Kisses & Stars,
Sandy Lo
This is the debut performance of “Haley’s Letter” at the “Dream Catchers” book release party. The song is being performed by Alexander Kikis and the producer of the song, James Manzello. Lyrics were written by Sandy Lo and music was written by James Manzello and co-produced by Frans Mernick.
