Suffolk based singer-songwriter Leon O'Leary is on the verge of releasing his brilliant emotive and musically rich new EP 'Pretend (To Be Heros)'. Displaying a depthy understanding of his craft with a unique blend of electronic elements with his guitar led, indie-folk sensibilities, Leon's sound is distinctly unique, topped with his commanding, yearning lead vocals which give the sound a central pin.
This musical approach intrigued us and we wanted to know more about what inspires leon musically. Over to Leon with 5 of his faves:
Ben Howard - ‘I Forget Where We Were’
When I was 14, I remember listening to Ben Howard’s music on this iPod Shuffle I had with all the music I liked and the music my Dad liked. I’d already listened to his earlier stuff (which I loved) but I remember listening to this song and the album and became totally transfixed with the sound of the guitars, how everything built up, the songwriting, etc. It really had a massive impact on the music I make and still does to this day.
Bruce Springsteen - ‘Racing In The Street’
The music my family played in the house had a huge influence on what I listen to now and Springsteen has been there right the way through with me. His songs really resonate with me and have always impacted me emotionally for some reason. It’s too hard to pick just one Boss song but if there is one song of his that I listen to which truly captures desperation, sadness and some simple escapism from those ties that bind, this is definitely a good one.
Foy Vance - ‘Closed Hand Full of Friends’
I always have good memories of being in the car with my Dad when I was a young teen driving in autumn with the ‘Joy of Nothing’ album playing and we’d both be singing as passionately as we could to the whole thing, especially this song. I love the simple and steady rhythm in this song and how it builds up in this huge orchestral arrangement. Foy has been a huge inspiration to me ever since I was a kid and his voice has always been one of my favourites. I remember hearing him live for the first time in Cambridge ages ago and remember feeling the power in his voice. Just awesome.
Bon Iver - ‘Beth/Rest’
I’m a huge Bon Iver fan and find his music - without sounding super pretentious - almost spiritual. Just sitting there listening to it you get lost sometimes, especially live. This song makes me feel this sense of ease like everything is all good and will always be, like this sense of relief. Sonically it is beautiful and romantic and I’m not gonna lie, that guitar solo and piano sound is bloody sexy. I can always picture cinematically two lovers coming together finally after some sort of separation or hardship to this song.
James Bay - ‘Craving’
James Bay is definitely one of my heroes, been listening to him since I started playing guitar and the ‘Chaos and The Calm’ album is nothing but good memories for me. The first gig I ever went to was James Bay’s which was at The Cambridge Corn Exchange I think in 2015? Was the best first gig ever, especially when Ed Sheeran came on to play ‘Let It Go’ with James on stage. I had to stand up on my chair to see over everyone cause people were going nuts. I chose this song cause I love the guitar tone in this track. It just hits that perfect spot of overdrive and the chords he uses are super sweet to listen to. The meaning of the song is also something I related to a lot, having been a kid stuck in a small village with not a whole lot but a social club and park wishing I was somewhere else doing something more exciting.
Listen to Leon's new single 'Pretend (To Be Saviours)', the title track from the upcoming EP due June 13th, below: