Our Music…Our Stories
Thomas Gagasoules
Producer/Engineer/Songwriter
Thomas Gagasoules
At the early age of 16 Thomas began to dive deeply into his passion for music . He started with Djing at nightclubs and various venues which helped develop his appreciation for all genres of music. For Thomas, it was more than just playing music, it was understanding what to play at the right time to stimulate the dance floor, which inspired him to want to create and produce the kind of music that would bring a crowd alive.
Thomas studied Audio Production, Engineering, Avid post production and Foley at Five Towns Collage, he gained great understanding of many technical aspects and the roles music plays. It’s given him the experience and fundamentals he’s needed to grow as an artist and producer.
Thomas’ passion strengthened when he met Chris Swai, a multi talented composer and producer. They began creating music under the group name Destination X. Around the age of 18, Thomas produced his first dance record with Chris entitled Fading Dreams. This was contracted under Rampage Records which gave them new exposure in the industry. They took this opportunity and continued to explore their creativity in writing and producing many other tracks.
In 2008 Thomas and Chris met Lisa Molina. They collaborated on projects and produced their first hit record called Alive featuring Graziella released on The Tim Rex Experiment and Charted on Billboard Dance Charts. Following this release Just A Game was produced and released featuring Veronica known for her hit Release Me produced by the legendary Johnny Vicious.
Soon after they released an original single Little Secret, released on Trackworks Records under Big Management through Gary Salzman. This EP was played on various radio stations and remixed by many well-known producers in the industry such as Ray Roc & C. Rosillo, Warren Meyers, Bassmonkeys, Hygrade, Reflex, Soulshaker and Electro. They also released Dangerous on Lyon Echo Records. Remixed by Markus Shulz, Gareth Emery, Funabashi and many other known remixers. It was a featured track on Markus Shulz’ Amsterdam 08’
Next Thomas released Bounce under the new name Saint X. Released on Marcus Shulz’ label Coldharbor recordings. Bounce was featured in DJ Mag and got the money shot 9.5. Saint X also released Summerlives which was featured on Richard Durand In Search Of Sunrise 9.
As the industry began changing over time Thomas decided it was time for him to take things to a new level. That's when he created D-mention. He concentrated on making some very memorable and successful remixes, starting with Hungry For Your Love featuring Hansen and Davis remixed and co-written under this alias D-Mention released on Music Plant Records. Quickly following this remix was All Around The World, which was featured by the famous Paul Lekakis. This release was directed more towards the mainstream dance spectrum and released under Camp Entertainment.
Thomas believes the important aspect of growth as an artist is building relationships in the music scene, being open minded and diversified. When he was introduced to Freedom Williams from C&C Music Factory he expressed how much he loved Freestyle and had envisioned a way to combine freestyle and old school rap. Together D-Mention, Freedom and Hanson (Hanson and Davis) collaborated and succeeded in producing a track called “Never”. Released under Thump records and featured on the Freestyle Explosion 8 compilation.
Thomas says “It’s all about passion, exploring and cultivating new sounds and styles in music. The underground scene is where it all stems from” This is where his journey gets deeper. It’s inspired every aspect of his production.
More recent releases such as Come Alive, Festival, A Place Called Home, Narcissist Animal, Moon Waves, Sentire, Crystal Garden and Break Me Down have this deep passion and feeling inside the tracks. The labels they were released on such as Proton Records, Stazis, Smart Phenomena Records, Deugene Music Records, Gert Records, Opium Muzik and OLD SQL Recordings share this magical experience together.
Stazis Records offered Thomas the opportunity to guest mix a compilation called Technology 4. The Mix hit Top 100 on Beatport. It peaked at 54 on the Minimal / Deep Tech top 100 releases and 66 on the progressive house top 100 releases.
Music plays such an important role. It can stimulate you and put you in a certain state of mind. Music can be atmospheric and emotional, or have a specific vocal and lyric that relates to an individual’s situation or experience. For him it creates comfort. “As a producer, my role is to give a song life, or portray an image that can be felt a certain way by others.” For Thomas, music is a journey; a part of him which is never ending…….
Lisa Nicole Molina
Songwriter/Vocalist
Lisa Molina Publishing BMI
From the Midwest to the East Coast, Lisa Nicole Molina has had an exceptional career in the music and acting field for decades. Her parents noticed her talents by the age of 5 and soon after, she was performing on a variety of stages. By the age of 9 Lisa was professionally working as a singer and actress.
She appeared on Star Search, performed for hundreds of charities and benefits, as well as singing the national anthem for over 250 events. Including Olympic games, national hockey, baseball and basketball teams. She was blessed to have opportunities to work with a long list of some of the biggest celebrities.
During the 90’s Lisa and her family relocated to the east coast to Long Island. There she began a career in theater. First a tour for Annie2 with original Annie director Martin Charnin (later renamed Annie Warbucks).
She returned from the tour to start what would be a long career in the Jingle and Voice Over industry. Mattel took notice of Lisa and chose her to be the national campaign singer for Barbie for almost 2 years in LA. She has also worked on spots for AT&T, Cabbage Patch Kids, Hawaiian Punch, Care Bears, and Hanna Montana to name a few. She continues to record Jingles and V.O.’S today.
After Annie2 her next theater experience was one of the biggest highlights of all. She was chosen to star in the newest Broadway show The Goodbye Girl as Melanie, one of the 7 principle roles. It featured Martin Short and Bernadette Peters and first toured in Chicago followed by the Marriott Marquis Theater in New York’s Times Square.
Lisa began recording her first album release entitled “My Love Will Be There” during her teens. This album inspired Lisa to begin her songwriting career.
This was a whole new Journey, which started in the Dance/ Electro scene working with producers such as Norty Cotto and Jason Nevins.
“You Mean the World to Me” Jung ft. Hope, was her first dance music single released by Norty Cotto. She Performed and promoted this single throughout NY. Lisa collaborated and sings background vocals on the 2003 hit “I’m in Heaven” Jason Nevins U.K.N.Y. Ft. Holly James. Reaching #9 on the UK top 10 Singles charts. Then the release of “Touch Me Like That” in 2007 for dance diva Dannii Minogue on AATW records. It reached #1 on 4 upfront music week charts and #48 on the UK pop chart. Since then she has been working with many recording artists and producers. Collaborating and creating for some of the most popular names in music. As of recently the roster includes the talents of, Ultra Naté, Dannii Minogue, Michelle Williams, Destination X, DJ Boris, Tiesto, Nervo, Gareth Emery, and John Dahlback.
Most mentionable has been her collaborations with hit Producer Brinsley Evans. After a fun vocal session they hit it off, teamed up and have written dozens of songs under their partner name L2 and the Music Machine. They have released their first single and music video for “Bye Bye” followed by an EP “The Promise” which includes 3 additional tracks.
They have written and recorded for artists and producers like John Dahlback, Nervo, Mischa Daniels, Michelle Williams and Ultra Naté Who’s Single “Turn it up” placed in the top 10 on Billboard Dance/Club play and iTunes top 15 dance downloads. They co-wrote and recorded 4 more songs for Ultra’s next two albums Hero Worship and Everybody Loves the Night.
Most Recently Lisa has had the pleasure of teaming up once again with Thomas G ( D-Mention) for a brand new adventure creating their new production company Sahara Starz Music.
Their work together is unmatched. You never know where the road takes you and she is ready to venture out!!