Hi all! Here is the official press release for Cronies, our first EP, which is coming out April 9! For those of you in LA, we’ll be playing an EP release show THIS SATURDAY, April 6, at the Dakota! Details here:
Eclectic singer/songwriting duo, Brandon & Leah, are set to release their new digital EP “Cronies” on April 9. The five-song EP presents a modern, electro-pop-soul twist on the Southern California sound, and includes fan favorite “Showstopper,” the popular theme song from E! Entertainment’s “Kourtney & Kim Take Miami”. The ultra-catchy tune, which has started connecting with a strong viral following, is about “bringing out your inner bad ass” according to Leah, whose honey-soaked, sultry delivery is among its highlights. A record release party kicks off April 8 at Empire West Rooftop in West Hollywood.
“Cronies,” which finds Brandon & Leah delving into more exotic rhythms, richer textures and headier vocals, was produced in collaboration with Tony Berg (Phantom Planet, Jesca Hoop) and achieves a much lusher soundscape, largely by showcasing their organic, yet masterful musicianship, while mining their genre-bending influences from The Beatles to Brazilian pop.
The EP manages to nicely merge its melody-rich arrangements with tracks that range from sultry, soulful anthems-to-dreamy ballads, with lyrics that alternate between irresistibly playful and achingly sweet. The meticulously curated line-up of backing musicians, which includes Warpaint drummer Stella Mozgawa, also adds to the mix.
Brandon & Leah, who discovered they were musical soul mates at childhood, and who are now a married couple, are both from musical backgrounds. Brandon’s mother is Linda Thompson, a GRAMMY-nominated lyricist, and his step father is music industry icon David Foster; Leah’s father is Don Felder, former lead guitarist of The Eagles. Music is clearly in their genes.
The fiercely independent songwriting duo, who place great importance on ownership of art and vision, have learned to play to their strengths. Brandon, is a mastermind at putting the songs together, Leah says, as he creates a painting with the sound, the mood, and the rhythms. While Leah brings an incredibly pure voice, an amazing sense of melody, and a style unlike any other singer today. Comments Brandon: “There’s a playfulness to her vocals, but at the same time, she completely commands the track, the track never commands her.”
“As musicians it’s really important for us to do our own thing—to keep evolving and not to try to conform to some idea of what our music should be,” says Brandon.
Brandon & Leah’s previously released music video “Life Happens,” produced by Funk Factory Films (Aloe Blacc, Gogol Bordello), premiered on MTV’s Buzzworthy blog and has over one millions views on YouTube.
For more information, please visit:
brandonandleah.com; facebook.com/brandonandleah; twitter.com/brandon_leah
“Showstopper” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r-_nSo_ppk
“Vaseline” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH0IT6qT6zE
“Life Happens” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyz6RiU6YQQ
“Cronies” – Track Listing
1. Showstopper
2. Boom Boom Boom
3. You’re So Cold
4. House Of Cards
5. Say It Ain’t So Bad
