Melbourne singer, songwriter and storyteller Leon Thomas is on the verge of releasing his debut record. With influences spanning Dylan, Hemingway and Hendrix, his sound is gospel, blues, folk and rock. It’s authentic, fearless music delivered with heart and soul.
Stepping a little out side of the square the EP was produced by Stephen Mowat (AKA hip-hop producer Matik) at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne. The songs were recorded in the tradition of great studio albums from bands like The Pixies, The Stones and Led Zeppelin; live in one take, straight to tape and with no overdubs. Described by the session’s sound engineer as “angels pissing in my ear”, the result is an honest and lucid listening experience, capturing the energy of the moment faithfully.
Leon’s songs explore the realms of the mystical, the dark and the divine, all styled in blues alchemy and served with authenticity. The opening track ‘Fierce Cats’ is a riff-heavy number with a street-walk, rock ‘n’ roll swagger that sets the tone for the record. ‘Thistle Bush’ will take you someplace dark and rock into oblivion. ‘Three Seasons’, with its sparse, ethereal arrangements explores themes of the natural world and its limitless space. ‘A Message’ was written as just that, a message to the people of earth, accompanied by roomy guitar lines and a driving back beat. Of the beautifully melodic track, ‘Holy Smokes’ Leon explains, “It’s about the ebb and flow of independence and co-dependence between lovers. It’s about knowing what is real and what is false through experiencing the great truth of love.” The stripped back, ‘Picket Line’ is a self-proclaimed, anti-protest, protest song musing on a life of sex, drugs and rock and roll. ‘The Story of Leon Thomas’ explores ideas of human evolution, strength and power, as well as delving into a little demon fighting.
The EP will be available from iTunes and Bandcamp on WEDNESDAY APRIL 17th and Leon will be launching the EP in Melbourne on:
Friday 17th May
CHERRY BAR – AC/DC lane, Melbourne
For more info go to: www.leonthomas.com.au and watch the video for Holy Smokes below:
