We have the pleasure of premiering the single ‘All The Things I’m Made Of’ by the very talented singer-songwriter Léanie Kaleido. This is great music with stellar delivery. Given that this is the first time we’ve heard Kaleido’s music, may the Gods grant us the wish that it won’t be our last. Sheer light and positivity radiates through the confessional storytelling woven through her piano-based offering, leaving you eager for the next chapter.
But let’s rewind a bit. There’s something to be said for musical dynasties and musical families in general. it’s mind boggling just how talented some artists are, seemingly possessing something that only comes along once in a lifetime – something that cannot be replicated. But then, if you dig deep enough, you may come to realize that they are not the only one in their family who is this talented. There may be one or even more members of the same family who are just as talented – even if in relation to a completely different style of music. It almost seems that musical ability is something that is written into our genetic code.
Enter UK singer-songwriter Léanie Kaleido, who has announced she will be releasing her new album ‘How To Weigh A Whale Without A Scale’. But who is she? Let’s dish it on then, because this one is rich in talent and also has an interesting backstory to tell. No stranger to music, Kaleido grew up in a musical household. Her father Top Topham was the original lead guitarist in The Yardbirds and was signed to Mike Vernon’s BlueHorizon record label as a solo artist. Coming into this much later and playing music in an entirely different genre than her father, To our delight, her music breathes elements that recall such artists as Jenny Hval, Cat Power and Feist.
This album was produced at Oxford’s OX4 Sound Studio by Ride frontman Mark Gardener, who also contributes guitar. Léanie, who grew up “snogging posters of Ride and wanting to be PJ Harvey”, has, over time, settled into the acceptance that her songs just come out the way they do. “Not especially cool”, she says, “but I’m really proud of some of my lyrics. Getting ‘salient verities’ into a song gave me a lot of satisfaction! Now Mark is a really good mate who knows what works best for my songs. And he has the best selection of green tea. I’m now a loose leaf connoisseur, thanks to him!”
Kaleido’s 50th year went off with a bang thanks to Gardener’s open-armed invitation to record at his Oxford studio. After four or five sessions throughout the less locked-down parts of 2020, and ten songs later, an album was born.
“The songs on this album represent the highs and lows I’ve encountered over the past few years, how I’ve dealt with them and what I’ve learnt through the process. It’s a mixture of love, regret, philosophies, humour and hope. I’ve always been a late developer, and so this to me feels like a coming-of-age album,” says Léanie Kaleido.
“Mark Gardener was determined to make my vocals and lyrics ‘the stars of the show’ and this has steered my sound to something more stripped back and atmospheric. Mark is a top bloke. He made me feel at ease straight away. The anxiety tablets I’d taken with me to stop myself exploding with fear weren’t needed and we got on famously from the start. It was such a laugh recording with someone who once had been the target of my ‘dribbly poster snogs’ and now is just a really good mate who knows what works best for my songs.”
‘All The Things I’m Made Of’ is now available as an immediate-gratification download upon ordering her ‘How To Weigh A Whale Without A Scale’ LP. As of March 12, the full album will be released everywhere digitally and will be available across online streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify. It can already be pre-ordered at https://leaniekaleido.bandcamp.com/album/how-to-weigh-a-whale-without-a-scale
CREDITS
Léanie Kaleido – Vocals, piano, ukulele, strings, drum programming, synth bass
Mark Gardener – Producer, guitar, bass
Jono Harrison – Guitar, drum programming, synth bass (Codeine, Kite String Mantra)
Chris Gussman – Guitar and engineer on ‘Hat Thief’, engineer on ‘Mr Dragonfly’
All songs written by Léanie Kaleido. Copyright @2021
Cover photo by Jono Harrison
Cover created by Sara Truckel
Keep with Leanie Kaleido
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Keep up with Mark Gardener / OX4 Sound
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Soundcloud | OX4Sound Twitter | Mark Gardener Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
