Meet Demitri Lerios | Composer. Producer. Songwriter.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Demitri Lerios and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Demitri, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I wouldn’t say I set out to pursue an artistic career, but when does anything ever go according to plan? If I had to trace it back, it all started the year I turned nine. My dad is a musician and by far my biggest inspiration and role model. He founded the band Pablo Cruise, one of the quintessential yacht rock bands before “yacht rock” was even a thing. Watching him navigate a career in music with both passion and persistence left a deep impression on me, even if I didn’t fully realize it at the time. Around that same period, my older brother picked up the guitar, and all I wanted was to hang out with him. But when you’re the little brother by six years, that’s not exactly cool. So I came up with a plan: every guitarist needs a drummer. And just like that, music became my way in. What started as a simple scheme for brotherly bonding became the spark that lit the fuse.

That’s where the journey began. Casual jams quickly turned into an all-out obsession. I played every day, nonstop – drumming became my world. I studied Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, and John Bonham like sacred texts. They weren’t just drummers to me; they were gods. And through that devotion, I began to shape my own sound. Meanwhile, those early jam sessions with my brother didn’t go to waste. They evolved into a real band. And by the time I turned 16, that band had landed a deal with Universal with David Foster at the helm. That’s when the real journey began.

These days, my path as a composer for film and television feels like a natural continuation of my father’s journey. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found myself navigating the same minefield he once did. After starting a family, he realized that life on the road wasn’t sustainable, so he pivoted to scoring for film and TV, eventually composing music for Baywatch for 11 seasons. Following in those footsteps has been the most fulfilling endeavor yet. There’s nothing quite like cracking the code of a scene, when the music clicks and elevates the emotion, it’s nothing short of euphoric.

So while I can’t necessarily pinpoint the exact moment I decided to pursue the arts, I think these moments add up to something close. They tell the story of how I got here and why I’ve never looked back.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart is that I’ve lived many lives in this business, on stage and behind the scenes. That duality – the glamour of performing and the grit of composition, shaped how I see music: not just as entertainment, but as storytelling. It taught me early on that this industry is always changing, but one thing stays the same: writing something great. It’s easy to say, incredibly hard to do, and I’m always chasing that.

David Foster used to tell us, “Good is the enemy of great,” and that’s stuck with me ever since.

The truth is, none of it is easy. After the chapter with the band came to a close, I had to rebuild, reinvent, and relearn. I watched as the industry shifted, budgets disappeared, trends changed and the only way to stay in the room was to adapt.
That’s how I found my way into composition. I made a decision: I needed to become a Swiss Army knife. So when the call came, I’d be ready. I locked myself in my room and worked relentlessly to unlock everything I’d absorbed over the years. One foot in front of the other. Day by day.

What I want people to know about me – whether you’re a fellow creative or someone looking for the perfect song or score. I write everything. I play just about any instrument needed to bring an idea to life – and if I can’t, I figure it out. I’m endlessly curious and constantly chasing the most interesting way to tell a story. At the core, I’m on a mission to create work that feels fresh, unexpected, and emotionally honest. Call it “cool shit” if you want – and yeah, it might sound cliché – but to me, it means pushing boundaries, experimenting without fear, and never settling for the obvious choice. My brand is built on versatility, taste, and a relentless drive to make something that moves people.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1:
We’d kick things off with Mexican food maybe Mirate in Los Feliz, or honestly, even better: any taco stand parked outside a Ralphs. That’s a hill I’ll die on. Mexican food anywhere else just doesn’t come close to what L.A. has to offer in the US. It might sound dramatic, but it’s honestly one of the main reasons I’ll never leave. Then, we’d head to Sunset Tower for a martini extra dirty, three olives. It’s an institution at this point. The energy is old Hollywood meets modern chaos, and you’re almost guaranteed a good celebrity sighting or two.

Day 2:
Because everyone who visits has to see the beach we’ll head out west. We’d skip Venice or maybe just pass through and then head to Malibu. Get Lilly’s burritos for lunch. We’re doing mexican twice…sue me. Then take a drive up the coast with a good playlist. Something 70’s.

Day 3:
We’re starting at Chateau Marmont because if you’re going to do L.A. right, you’ve got to pay tribute to the legends. It’s a classic, a little chaotic, and always worth it. A cocktail at the bar, some velvet booth energy, and then we’re off. Next stop: Desert 5 Spot. Rooftop views, live music, line dancing, maybe a mechanical bull situation if the night gets rowdy enough. It’s pure L.A. a little country, a little rock ‘n’ roll, and a whole lot of fun. Nothing staged, just real culture, real energy, and everyone’s in a good mood.

Day 4:
We’re doing KBBQ no question. Head down to Quarters in K-Town, order everything, and let the beer flow. Yet another thing L.A. does better than anyone else. After that, we’re staying in the neighborhood and hitting Break Room 86. Get a big group together, lock in a karaoke room, and let the chaos unfold. If it’s a smaller crew, I’ll always recommend Gaslite in Santa Monica. Total dive, full of locals, and hands down one of the most fun karaoke spots in the city. Just trust me on that one.

Day 5:
Bagel at Layla’s. Coffee at Maru.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people in my story but if I had to pick. My father has always been my biggest supporter and my toughest critic. He’s the one who instilled in me every ounce of work ethic I have, and gave me a clear-eyed understanding of just how tough this business really is. I also owe everything to my two older brothers, who taught me how to keep up whether I was ready or not. And to my mentor Andreas Carlsson, for teaching me how to write the perfect chorus. Oh and lastly my mom, because without her I would be nothing.

Website: https://demitri-lerios.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_lerios/?hl=en

Other: https://www.firstartistsmanagement.com/demitri-lerios—profile.html