Singer-songwriters are worth their weight in gold when you, the listener, feel as though they are in your living room playing just for you. That’s the indelible mark of Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter Luke LeBlanc. LeBlanc will release his third full-length album, Only Human, July 9. It’s one of those instantly memorable records with a warm, loose, and comfortable vibe, is poised to cement LeBlanc as a new singer-songwriter to watch.
Only Human offers a melodic, charming mixture of heart-on-the-sleeve folk, jangly pop, and back porch roots music. LeBlanc, 25, crafts 10 tunes brimming with lived-in appeal. He recorded Only Human at Real Phonic Studio in Cleveland, Minnesota from November 2019 through March 2020, with some additional recording after the country went into lockdown because of the pandemic. Produced and engineered by Erik Koskinen, who also plays electric guitar, bass, and pedal steel guitar, Only Human also features John Cleve Richardson on piano, organ, bass, and backing vocals; Kerri Joy on violin and backing vocals; and Erin Bekkers on drums.
At the center of Only Human are the songs, gems such as “Lowry Avenue,” “Same Blues,” “Oh My Lordy,” “Water,” and “Good Times Gone.” These mature musical vignettes belie the young age of the man who created them.
“The album touches on everything it means to be ‘only human’,” says LeBlanc. “In these songs, I dive into joy, loss, love, life in general – and the need to sometimes drive away from it all.”
Then again, LeBlanc is already a fully formed artist. Born and raised in Minneapolis’ Northside, LeBlanc taught himself to play guitar when he was 11 years old. It didn’t take long before he was connecting music with words. A mere two years later, when LeBlanc was 13, he was the youngest talent to win the Zimmy (named after Robert Zimmerman, better known as Bob Dylan), a national singer-songwriter competition held in Hibbing, Minnesota.
Only Human is a snapshot of LeBlanc’s artistic evolution so far. The album springboards from the promise of his first two full length efforts – 2010’s First Rail and 2013’s New Orleans Bound, both released under his then stage name Little Diamonds – and his 2018 EP, Time on My Hands. Only Human gives us a peek into the vast sonic possibilities of a burgeoning singer-songwriter.
LeBlanc is ready to promote Only Human ahead of its July 9, 2021 release date with a spate of shows currently being planned, a promotional video for “Same Blues,” a series of press interviews, and a strong presence on social media.
“I’m really proud of the record – as is everyone else who worked on it,” says LeBlanc. “My musical tastes lean towards new and traditional, while always searching for that something in a song that makes it a little different. I think the record reflects that. I hope the songs make it to as many people’s ears as possible, and that they take something away from it. Then maybe they’ll book me to drive over and play in their city. I love driving.”
Catch up with Luke LeBlanc on social media: Like his Facebook page, follow his Twitter and Instagram accounts, and subscribe to his YouTube channel. Also, check out LeBlanc’s website for more insight on this promising singer-songwriter.
