Local band getting 'lost' in the music

    Ready to take over the musical universe, one song at a time, is a group of Valley Stream teens who play in the key of rock.
    Local band Lost In Forever features Alexis Muir as the band’s lead singer, lead guitarist Elvis Molina, bass guitarist Sadeek Kanhai, rhythm guitarist Isaiah Bryan and drummer Christian Hannah. All the members except Hannah, 14, attend Central High School — Molina and Kanhai, both 17, are seniors, and Muir, 15, and 16-year-old Bryan are juniors. One of the things they all have in common is a rich passion for music.
    “Isaiah and I have always been playing guitar,” Molina said. “When I was 5 years old, my mom brought me one and when I was 14 and picked up the guitar again, I loved it.”
    Molina, who has known Isaiah since ninth grade, played with him in a band a few years ago. Both young men later left the band and split up to join other groups, but fate stepped in to reunite the friends in their love for music. Molina recounted the story: “One day over a friend’s house, I met Christian and he told me he played the drums. I said we had to drum out. Christian and I were the first two members and then Sadeek came to my friend’s house and he played bass. At that point, it was three guys but I told them I knew a guitarist, Isaiah, so I hit him up.”
    The group was still missing a key element — a lead vocalist. After trying out a first singer who did not work out, a chance encounter lead them to find the perfect songstress fitting the group’s style.

    “Alexis came and heard us play and she liked it,” Molina said.  The group posted auditions for a singer on Facebook and about 15 people responded, but the group ended the search as soon as they heard Alexis sing. “We loved her,” Molina said.
    And ready to rock since late last year, the group’s sound is a fusion of rock, pop and punk music. They are heavily inspired by musicians like Demi Lovato and the band Paramore. They have learned a few cover songs from other music legends, but they also perform original material. Members bring and discuss their song ideas at practices, which are four days a week. They try to work on one song at a time to make it the best it can be after doing their homework, Elvis said.
    Their hard work is paying off — the group recently performed in three big events including a show at Hunter College and Central’s talent show on Feb. 11. And they are pumped to continue to rock the crowd and record their demo CD soon. The group loves its fans and wants to remain humble with its success.
    “People say they want to end up being famous, which is great and everything,” Molina said. “But we have to remember things like how to play our instruments. I go where the music takes me. It’s not all about trying to make it, but having fun with it. As long as you express yourself, that’s what it’s about.”
    Darryl Granum, who manages the band with Muir’s mother, Cheryl Muir, is extremely proud of the group. “They are great kids that play good music,” he said.