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10 Questions with ... Brandon & Leah
April 30, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Malibu natives Brandon and Leah have known each other since their school days, and began writing and performing together when they were in their teens. Recently, their music has been getting a lot of attention, and they've been selected to participate in the iHeart Radio "Macy's Rising Star" contest.
1) So how did you wind up nailing the theme song for "Kourtney & Kim Take Miami?
Actually everyone probably thinks that it was because of our family, but the music supervisor loved the track and picked it!
2) You two met when you were really young, and now you're married. What clicked first, the musical connection or the romantic connection?
We actually first started playing music together while we were in high school. After being in a few different projects together, the relationship began and now it's just the two of us making music together.
3) You both come from musical families. Brandon, tell us about your family.
My family is just exactly that to me ... family. Having said that, both my mom (Linda Thompson) and stepdad (David Foster) have written a lot of great songs together. David is also an amazing record producer whose music ability I admire very much.
4) Leah, your dad was part of one of the most legendary groups, the Eagles. How did that influence your musical ambitions?
Well, one thing I admire about my father is that he has always been about the music. Everyone in my family is very musically gifted, and it was fun growing up in such a music loving environment.
5) Who have been some of your key musical influences?
Brandon - I listen to all types of music and have been influenced by so many great artists... anyone from Jack Johnson to Justice. I grew up listening to a lot of Hip-Hop/Rap.
Leah - Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, The Beatles, Erykah Badu.
6) How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it?
Hip-Hop-based, grooved influenced pop music with a beachy, soulful flavor.
7) Do you work in a studio, or are you taking advantage of technology to record in more "casual" locations?
We record mostly in our own studio. It's a pretty simple set up that combines modern technology with vintage instruments.
8) Tell us about your new EP, "Cronies," and maybe explain how you came up with that name.
Well, this is the very first collection of music we have done together. We were signed to Warner Brothers Records, but are now doing everything on our own. This album has been a long time in the making and with any true goal comes a lot of hard work, trials and tribulations. Leah and I are great friends first and foremost. Or in other words, "Cronies."
We are pleased to announce that as we write this, Cronies is currently #14 on the iTunes pop album charts! It's hard to explain how rewarding this is for us. It's a testament to the fans! We have strived to make a connection to each and every one on a personal level, and in turn they allow us to successfully do this on our own without a big machine behind us.
9) What are your future plans ... maybe a full-length album?
To be honest we don't have any plans to make a full-length album. We would much rather put out EPs more consistently. I think the new music environment is much more single-based. We would much rather put things out more consistently, so we will be releasing a lot of singles, videos, and EPs.
10) Will we be able to catch you on tour this year?
YES for sure! Our ultimate goal is to go on tour and perform live. We have some West Coast dates planned, so keep an eye on Brandonandleah.com for tour dates. Also, plenty of new releases and contests to meet and party with Brandon and Leah.
Bonus Questions
What's getting a lot of play on your iPods these days?
Ben Howard, Sigur Ros, Odd Us, Blake Mills, Ray LaMontagne, Jesca Hoop.
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