Rock pop band LEO SPAULS has released a handful of content since their forming not that long ago. New content is also being released with the band hoping to play live real soon. They go on furthermore to say a lot about where to find out more about them and what they have planned up next.
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
It's actually three bands, one in Sweden, one in Germany and one in the UK. Since travelling is expensive, I thought it was easier to do it that way. It's also exciting since the musicians have different backgrounds. We try to do the songs differently in each band, giving the musicians the space to create their sound more freely. The UK band is Elina Tikkanen on backing vocals, Andy Basiola on guitar, Paolo Succo on bass, Lewis Moody on keyboards and Dan Breaden on drums. We met in January 2020 in London.
2. What's the origin of the band's name?
We came up with the name Leo Spauls & the Dramas. But we never used it. It might reflect something of my past when I wasn't on medication for mental illness. But when we play live, we usually go on as Leo Spauls with his band.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there?
Are there any local bands you could recommend? The UK band is based in London, and the band members come from Finland, Sweden, Italy and the UK. I originally from Sweden. So it's like a melting pot. There are so many good bands in London. Teleman is a band I've been listening to for quite some time.
4. How would you describe your style?
I am a pianist, so I usually start with the piano. I am trying to find some chords and melodies I like. Then I go to my computer, adding a few loops. We recorded everything with real instruments on the last album, Mike Garson (David Bowie's pianist) sending his piano recordings from LA. This time we are doing a more electronic production. It's pop music, based on synthesizers and piano. When we play live, we go on as a rock-pop band, with drums and guitars.
5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?
We released the first album in 2016. It's in Swedish and includes an alternative pride song to Stockholm pride that year, "Allt det som är du". It was a bit successful and fun since it's not the music you usually hear from the gay scene. So when we did that one in London and Berlin, I changed it into English: "Everything You Do". No one had heard it, but the audience appreciated it. The second album, released in 2018, was darker, more melancholic and perhaps more introverted. Or complicated, some might say. However, the three new singles we are releasing this year are easier to listen to. I don't want to use the word better, but from a writing perspective, I think they are.
6. Do you have any new music in the works?
The singles we are releasing this year are written during the last year and a half and produced by the Animal Farm label in London.
7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
When the UK band was formed last year, we did a few rehearsals, had some gigs booked, but then came the pandemic. I've received numerous invitations to go and play in Germany, but due to the situation in the world, we've decided to wait. Also, we are going to focus on the UK market. I am hoping to play live with Mike Garson someday. He made this streaming concert last winter, which was pretty impressive. It had Trent Reznor on it, Yungblud, Adam Lambert, Duran Duran, and many of the Bowie alumni. It appears that everyone he called said yes. I'm also hoping to play with St. Lenox someday, which perhaps is more realistic. I have never met him but listen to his music a lot.
8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
We are very excited to play live again and planning to do a UK tour within a year or two. Also, I'm writing new music all the time, so I'm looking forward to recording a new album. It would be fun to record something with Mike Garson again, we are in contact quite often, and I'm taking piano lessons for him. We've discussed a new project, and I hope we'll be able to do that soon.
9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
You can find our music on all platforms.
Stream at Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/15Pv5NraiSG667qm10ajvC
Also, you can find a lot of videos and more music on Vimeo and YouTube:
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/benway
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBiwiBgq8wTYPMhxrl2Ta7g
You can also follow us on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leospauls/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeoSpauls
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spauls.se
10. What is it you'd like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
The melodies are relatively simple. I want to focus on the lyrics and storytelling. I want to evoke certain feelings and experiences in my life, like going to a gay sauna in Berlin, for example. The idea of gay music is still too limited, I think. We are just ordinary people like everyone else. It's 2021, and being gay is still a problem; in some parts of the world.
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