Saint Leonard Discusses Upcoming Third Album Ahead Of This Weeks Live Transmission
In Association With Black Tot Rum
*Saint Leonard* has been broadcasting his uniquely idiosyncratic Live Transmission Concerts in association with Black Tot Rum and Clash magazine - beaming out every Saturday night to audiences across the world from the Clash Facebook and Instagram.
So far he has been showcasing acoustic versions of his songs drawn from his two critically acclaimed albums, *'Out of Work Astronaut'* and *'Good Luck Everybody'* as well as teasing new songs that he had been working on at Paul Epworth's church studio before the pandemic struck.
Discussing his new record, Leonard enigmatically refers to it as 'A song cycle formed and drawn from a body of occult European travelogues, as well as abstract Byzantine inspirational elements I've been exploring in my forthcoming novel and of course my more arcane and esoteric 'Ritual Magick and Tarot fortune telling' events I host in the basement of Treadwell’s Bookshop. Somehow all the aspects seem to fit together on some invisible level creating a vast psychic self-stoking musical machine, of sorts...'
A known musical expeditionary as well as self-proclaimed ‘spiritual entertainer', Leonard has been peppering his live transmissions with anecdotes behind the composition of some of his best known songs, much to his fans delight, including to date romantic misadventures in the Hollywood hills and a psychic 'talking' hound dog in Jim Morrison's former residence.
Over an afternoon cup of Lady Grey on the phone, Leonard muses on his travels of late that have influenced the writing on his new album. 'Certainly my time in Kesar Devi Temple in the Himalayas and in the Beatles Ashram in Rishikesh have had a profound influence on my world view, and sense of artistic purpose and identity. Indeed two of the most developed songs we have on the record so far were written in the Temple of Shiva. One of them I wrote the day I encountered a Tiger in the wild nearby slopes of the foothills, when - I have to be honest with you, we really were not expecting to see a tiger - when you see a tiger, in the mountains, and you are not expecting to see a tiger - its startling, sublimely beautiful, and also immensely stressful - much like the record making process so far’.
This Saturday at 9pm GMT, join Leonard for another of his now cult broadcasts, where he will be visited by some more special mystery guests, So far he has been joined on the phone in conversation by classic songwriter and Texan musician *Josh T Pearson*, the Bafta award-winning actress and muse of Lars Von Triers; *Sophie Kennedy Clarke*, and last week by the beloved writer, filmmaker and artist - the inimitable genius *Jonathan Meades*.
*Black Tot Rum* will be sending out another complimentary round of drinks for everyone to enjoy virtually together while watching Saint Leonard’s Live Transmission. Over 100 Black Tot gift packages have been sent out so far, and there are 50 more up for grabs this week - to receive yours, just fill in your details in the form below. Each recipient will receive a special gift bag, complete with a 50ml bottle of Black Tot Finest Caribbean Rum to enjoy at home with the show. Mitch Wilson, Global Ambassador for Black Tot says “It’s been a pleasure to support the Saint Leonard gigs these past few weeks, and we’ve been delighted to share a rum with everyone at home. Thanks to everyone who’s shared your Black Tot deliveries - we can’t wait to do this all with you again at the bar after the end of the lockdown."
Finally, don't miss the weekly segment 'The Dish of The Day' where Leonard telephones his band mate, guitarist, musical collaborator *Josh Hayward *of* The Horrors*, for his begrudging cookery slot where Leonard has to prise the information out of him as he actively resists giving up his culinary secrets. It's as entertaining and informative as it sounds, possibly giving us an insight into their creative working relationship on the new record, a line up which also includes Panda on bass from the art-rock outfit *TOY*, and Steffan Halperin formerly of *Klaxons*, an engaging and unusual musical soup indeed.
Who will be joining Leonard this week inside his 'Transmission Chamber'?
What songs will he serenade and unpick their knotty histories?
Tune in at *21:00 BST* to find out only on *CLASH*.
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*Saint Leonard & Friends *
*Saturday 9th May 21:00 BST *
*In Association With Black Tot Rum *
*Tune in to @Clash Magazine Instagram or via CLASH Facebook Live.*
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