Chicago native Melissa Lefton relishes the love for pure '80s pop sensibilities. Raised on a steady dose of Depeche Mode, the Cure, and Irene Cara's Flashdance, Lefton was merely a fan of music while growing up and when it was time for college, she ventured east to study communications at New York University. Sort of disillusioned with this new life of bridging adolescence with forthcoming adulthood, Lefton turned to music while mixing in her studies, soon noticing that a conventional career might not necessarily be her calling. She joined the band Product after answering an ad in the paper and honed her singer/songwriting skills. The stint was short lived, however Lefton inked a deal with Jive (Britney Spears, 'N Sync) and prepared to twist the label's pop typicality. Her self-titled debut, which matches the pop sassiness of the Go-Go's and Cyndi Lauper, was issued in early fall 2001. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, Rovi