You could say that Leopard Rays’ sound is like the lovechild of the 90’s alternative music and 00’s indie music scene. Harvesting influence from both a thriving local scene and many stadium rock bands like Pearl Jam, Oasis and The Smashing Pumpkins, the Hartlepudlian Indie/Rock four piece have recently spent some time on the studio to capture the best of their new material.
The lads from the seaside recorded ‘I’m Japan’ at Blank Studios (Newcastle) in September 2018 with studio engineer/producer Chris McManus, with extra instrumentation provided fellow Hartlepudlian musician and keyboard extraordinaire Spell Token (Josh Ingledew). As the follow-up to Easy Tiger, the bands earlier release, I’m Japan certainly provides Leopard Rays’ biggest sounding track yet. Overflowing with huge guitar sounds, pounding drum beats and ghostly vocals.
Set for release on April 4th it will be supported by a hometown launch Gig on April 5th at the bands favourite local bar IDOLS. With a hunger to travel and play to new audiences Leopard Rays have booked dates in new places which they have not yet played. Leopard Rays have recently confirmed for a slot on the NARC. Magazine stage at this year’s Stockton Calling on April 20th, where The Futureheads, Reverend and the makers and Avalanche Party will also be performing.
The band had a great start to their musical career in 2018 by playing intimate packed out shows at bars and clubs across the North East and larger shows at the likes of Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre and the Lonesome Pine Festival. They have also played sets at local music festivals ‘The Gathering Sounds’ and ‘Munro’ among the likes of Little Comets, The Pale White and Redfaces. Leopard Rays have also supported rising rock bands such as Estrons and Broken Hands, which has given them the drive to go on to achieve what these bands have and more.
‘I’m Japan’ will be the first of several songs that Leopard Rays are going to release in 2019 and with no shortage of fresh material the lads have already booked more recording sessions. This year is still up for the taking and Leopard Rays want to make it theirs. Leopard Rays are:
Luke Dawkins – Vocals and Guitar
Sean Mccloskey – Lead Guitar
Tom Pattison – Bass Guitar
David Wilcox – Drums
Live:
April 5th – IDOLS / HARTLEPOOL
April 12th – INDEPENDENT / SUNDERLAND
April 20th – THE GREEN ROOM / STOCKTON
Check out I’m Japan below, out 4th April!
We managed to catch up with the band as they talked about their latest single I’m Japan and more!
So how pumped are you for your upcoming single ‘I’m Japan’?
We’re extremely pumped, we haven’t released anything since October and we have been sitting on some new material for a while now. Cant wait to play it live too!
Can you tell us something about the single no one else knows?
It’s actually a song that we have played for a few years (in different projects). Makes it really sweet that we’ve finally got round to releasing it.
How was it working with Spell Token (Josh Ingledew) on the single, are you good friends?
We have know Josh for years through the Hartlepool music scene, it was well good having him come to the studio with us. All the tracks he played on seem to have a different dimension now.
What’s next for you? Will you be releasing an EP/Album this year?
We have a couple of singles planned this year but we are going back into the studio to record a whole bunch of new tracks too.
So you have a few shows coming up this month (April), is there any you are most looking forward to?
Our show in Sunderland on April 12th is sure to be a really good one, the venue is really great and its our first headline show out of teeside. We’re also really excited for Stockon Calling, its a really big day for the Teeside Music Scene and loads of great acts come to play our little patch for a day. Not to be missed.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
100% James Brown. He’s one funky dude, he would for sure improve our vocal and funk game.
I FEEL GOOD
If you could play at any venue in the world, where would it be and why?
Milton Keynes Bowl would be a absolute dream. We really see ourselves playing our songs in a big open space, hopefully we get chance one day.
What do you all get up to in your spare time when not working on music?
Since receiving these questions we have spent our spare time arguing on venues we want to play (this may be the end of Leopard Rays). Other than that we really just like having a good drink with eachother and our friends.