Elemental Sparks: La Jolla-based band rocks out in San Diego

Last Updated on February 2, 2026

Banding together for messages through music, four local kids are performing to promote happiness.

Sparking joy and community spirit, a close-knit rock band of La Jollans is showing that youth is not wasted on the young.

Called Elemental Sparks, the band comprises guitarist and trumpet player Leo Giaconi, in fourth grade at La Jolla Elementary School; bass player Luca Giaconi, in seventh grade at Muirlands Middle School; drummer Julian Lindsey, in fourth grade at LJES; and guitarist and singer Olivia Lindsey, in fourth grade at LJES.

Left to right, Elemental Sparks members Julian Lindsey, Olivia Lindsey, Luca Giaconi and Leo Giaconi/Elemental Sparks

These two sets of siblings (Leo and Luca are brothers; Julian and Olivia are twins) assembled their quartet in February for the LJES Talent Show, though Luca emphasized “we started as a friendship.”

The age gap between Luca and the younger members makes no difference as “they play at the skill level of the high school bands,” he said.

“We couldn’t have had the full band without [Luca],” Julian said. “We’re very grateful that all four of us can have fun and play our music and show the world who we are.”

Since February, Elemental Sparks has played shows and concerts all over San Diego, including Law Street Beach in Pacific Beach, the La Jolla Open Aire farmers market, and a November fundraiser for Feeding San Diego at The Children’s Pool.

The band’s name is rooted in the members’ playing of a variety of musical genres, Olivia said, including heavy metal, pop rock and softer tones.

“We’re also sparks,” she said, “because we sparkle, we spark happiness and we put a spark in people’s hearts.”

“We spark through creativity and fun,” Julian added.

Musicality does not stop with Elemental Sparks; Leo, who counts Metallica, System of a Down and Green Day as his favorites, is also in a band called The Hazards (started by Luca) and has started another group called The Roadkill.

Luca plays drums outside Elemental Sparks and aside from The Hazards, started a band four years ago called The Radioactive Tigers. Luca says he’s inspired by progressive metal bands Dream Theater, Opeth and Symphony X, as well as Tool.

Olivia also plays piano and has been writing songs with another friend, drawn to music from The Beatles, Nirvana, Metallica and The Go-Gos along with singers including Adele, Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston.

Her voice and physical instruments are “always there for me,” she said. “I can play when I feel sad, I can play when I feel happy, I can play when I feel angry. … Whatever I’m feeling, I can just play out my heart.”

Julian, who’s been playing drums since he was two, also plays piano and would like to start another band, he said.

Normally drawn to electronic music, Julian also has “a big space of love for rock music,” he said, listing Nirvana, Green Day and The Beatles as his favorites.

“I’ve been in lots of bands before,” he said. Elemental Sparks is of “highest importance to me, and the ones in the one that I’m really devoted to.”

The band is “very vibrant,” Julian continued. “We’re working together, we’re becoming known. This band is having wheels and wings.”