So how has your latest album/EP gone so far with fans then?
It has been an interesting experience. We have tried something different by releasing one song a month for 12 months (currently at no.8!) – for the year MMXXIII. Some fans have loved the anticipation, some have said the gaps between releases are too big, but the fantastic news is that they are all raving about the songs – lots of new and unheard stuff to come as well! I think we shall do the same again next year (we have a LOT of material) but release every two weeks.
Tell us something about the release no one knows?
Jonny Price (ace young producer) and I played all the bass parts and fought over which ones we wanted to play! Not literal fisticuffs, but it was first one to grab the bass got that verse or chorus etc. Daz hadn’t been with the band more than two weeks and had learned the entire back catalogue (genius!) and couldn’t make the dates, hence me and Jonny and the race to the bass.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
I am actually loving Mammoth WVH at the moment. This is a bit odd for me as I am usually into the nastier, punkier stuff, but I am really digging Wolfie’s musicality – I love his sense of melody and madness. Royal Republic would be a giggle – a bit lightweight, but every song that they do is a complete catchy earworm that you hum immediately after hearing….not metal but you will remember it the next day!
How has your latest release been received?
Fivefootsix has received lots of internet airplay and some very favourable responses. People have been commenting that it is a hummable little banger. Deffo got some sass and swagger – perhaps at the lighter end of our repertoire, but Daz loves it, wants to play it in every set and I do not argue with the man mountain.
Can you tell us about the meaning behind the track?
I am 5’ 6” tall, sorry, small. I am self-obsessed and want the world to know the inner me, so I thought that I would start the journey for people with an obvious description of the ‘outer’ me before the journey continues with the inner angst that permeates our other songs.
What tours do you have coming up, and what can you tell us about them?
No tours booked in at the moment, but we have a series of sporadic gigs over the next few months. Mostly fairly local ones as we are trying out new material and revamping the set – there are no harsher critics than your hometown heroes!
What venue are you most looking forward to playing the most, and why?
Difficult one. Playing with Spread Eagle at Eleven Music Venue will be a good gig, playing with international stars always makes you tingle with adrenaline. We also have a gig at a really compact venue in our hometown (Captain’s Bar) with a young local band – we are trying out as many different venues as we can, because Olly from Bathtub reckons we are a great band but that we keep playing ‘old people’s venues’ so we have been encouraged to think outside of the same/safe box.
What else can we expect from you in 2023?
We have a couple of videos planned for the stuff released in October and November. We are planning a few more gigs with other local bands outside of the area and then 2024 should see us raising our game and getting on a tour with a more established act (we have been approached but need to sort the logistics).
Leaf Website – www.leafband.co.uk
Leaf EPK – https://www.leafband.co.uk/EPK
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/leafbanduk
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/leafbanduk
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@leafuk146
Spotify Artist Leaf UK – https://open.spotify.com/artist/Leaf UK
iTunes/Apple Music Leaf UK – https://music.apple.com/se/artist/leaf-uk/1596672568
Amazon Music – https://music.amazon.com/artists/leaf-uk
Bandcamp – https://leafuk.bandcamp.com/
Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/leafbanduk