La Madness Biography: A Deep Dive

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     La Madness is the creation of singer & songwriter, Kurt Vatland. All songs written by Kurt Vatland (copyright Kurt Vatland Music), recorded & arranged as “La Madness."

     Originally intending to record a solo acoustic album, Kurt found upon demoing a track with producer Bryan Mengy (Prince, John Batiste, New Medicine) the need for a full band sound. Aaron Willey (drums), Riggs Kessler (lead guitarist), and  Seth Levine (bass) rounded out the lineup. La Madness immediately began performing famed venues in the Twin Cities to critical acclaim. From there the band recorded the debut album ’Chances Are’ with producer Bryan Mengy & mix/mastered by Colt Leeb (Prince, Soul Asylum, Meat Puppets) in Minneapolis.  

     By the completion of the album, the band already had a national tour booked sparked by a weekend debut on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood at the famed Whisky a Go Go. Bassist David Kittleson then stepped in to tour. Support grew with help by a ‘City Pages Must See’ music video for the single “Got Me Wrong”  directed by Alexander Kohmstamm. Word of mouth spread like a wildfire, aided by powerful live performances, growing radio support, even winning MN Artist Of The Year (Rockin 101 FM). The local press joined the fanfare when the band pulled off an incredible red carpet event in downtown Minneapolis, a rock n’ roll fashion show supporting the Treasured Chests breast cancer charity  called  ‘Rock The Catwalk’ . The band even begin to film a reality series entitled ‘Going Mad’ with Xtopher Films. Next La Madness won an international competition to perform with Papa Roach in Germany. The band flew across the pond to perform multiple shows in Europe, followed by a second leg of a US tour called the ’Whiteout Tour’ officially sponsored by King Of Diamonds Gentlemen Club. They were on their way.
    Upon returning from tour, they began working on the follow up album ‘Love For Losers’ in Minneapolis with Bryan Mengy. Tyler Azure came in on lead guitar which was soon followed by Kurt disbanding the group. A decade later, Kurt finished the album sessions with Grammy winner Harold LaRue in (Houston), Colt Leeb (Los Angeles), Bryan Mengy (Minneapolis).  Stephen Jones & Allen Fuentes.. 'Love For Losers’ was released on Valentines Day, 2025..