Leif de Leeuw, es un joven y talentoso guitarrista holandés , dos veces ganador del Sena Young Talent Guitar Award (2009 y 2013) .
Él y su banda hacen accesible la música que por momentos es difícil de describer: con influencias desde el Blues Rock, Funk, Soul, cantautor y rock sinfónico, son algunos de los ingredientes en la banda, el estilo de música que buscaban era algo similar a Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin, Blackberry Smoke o Henrik Freischlader. El resultado és una percusión enérgica, dos guitarras, pasos de blues shuffles y riffs enormes con esencia de los ‘70s.
Estos ingredientes les permitieron ganar el prestigioso Dutch Blues Challenge Award a finales de 2014 , y a finales de 2015 los European Blues Award como «Mejor banda 2015».
La banda ha tocado en un montón de festivales este verano como el Burlada Blues, Sziget en Hungría, Rockwell Open Air en Alemania , Ribs & Blues and Haarlem Jazz en los Países Bajos , Blues ‘n’ Jazz en Suiza, etc.
Leif ha sido elegido como el mejor guitarrista de blues (rock) del Benelux en marzo de 2016, y fue dos veces nominado como mejor guitarrista del Benelux en el apartado de «Mejor guitarrista de Blues (rock), country & folk 2017”. Con esas credenciales queda todo mas que dicho. Estamos ante un verdadero talento del Blues modern.
Leif de Leeuw Band vuelven a España este invierno para presentar su nuevo trabajo recien publicado y que lleva por titulo “Until Better Times”. El nuevo disco suena fresco, con grandes influencias del rock de los años 70. EL nuevo álbum ha sido grabado con el productor Jasper Ras.
La primera canción del disco “Until Better Times” fue lanzada en Abril en el Record Store Day, y fue muy bien recibida. Ese lanzamiento resultó una sorpresa, aumentando su reprodución en escasos días hasta las 30.000 personas. Con once canciones, la banda ha capturado un estilo retro mezclado con el estilo country holandés.
El tour de Leif de Leeuw Band en España se presenta con importantes novedades , como la incorporación de una nueva, y definitiva fecha más, el día 3 de diciembre en la Sala Beat Club de Segovia, y el cambio de ubicación por parte del Burlada Blues del Hotel Burlada a la Casa de Cultura de Burlada que se iba a celebrar el viernes 8 de Diciembre.
LA FECHAS
01/12. ZARAGOZA – LA LEY SECA
02/12. BINEFAR – RECINTO FERIAL – FABULOSO SOUL & ROLL FEST
03/12. SEGOVIA – SALA BEAT CLUB
05/12. ALMENDRALEJO – SALON DE TEATRES
06/12. TARAZONA DE LA MANCHA – STAR BAR
07/12. SANTANDER – SALA NIAGARA
08/12. BURLADA – CASA DE CULTURA DE BURLADA
09/12. A CORUÑA – FORUM CELTICUM
10/12. GIJÓN – SALA MEMPHIS
THE INTERVIEW
This year marks 8 years since Leif De Leeuw won first time the Sena Young Talent Guitar Award, in 2009. What is the difference between the music of Leif De Leeuw today and your music 8 years ago?
The main difference in my opinion is that I know in which direction I want to go with my music. 8 Years I was discovering who I was and what my music should sound like. Right now I’m still discovering what my music is but it is a lot more clear. Back then I was listening to a lot of Pink Floyd, Free and Joe Bonamassa. Right now I’m more into The Allman Brothers Band, Steely Dan, Blackberry Smoke and Fleetwood Mac. I think you can hear those influences in my music right know.
After your last LP, “Leelah” edited past year 2016, you are edited this year a new record named “Until Better Times”. What are your expectations with this work?
I think this new CD “Until Better Times” has a more overall sound compared to “Leelah”. The new songs have a more American sound and approach in my ear. While we were writing for the record we listened a lot to the Allman Brothers Band, Blackberry Smoke and Joe Walsh for inspiration. I think you can hear those influences in the songs in a positive way. Our expectations with this songs are that they will appeal to a larger group of people because they can grab on to some recognizable aspects while listening.
Is this your first time in Spain? What do we will see and enjoy in your live concerts for this tour around Spain?
This is the second time for us in Spain. When you come to a show from us you can expect lots of guitar firework, twin-leads, funky-bluezing-swinging-hardrockish-seventies-rock, a cool few cover tunes and a lot of passion for what we do.
What are your plans for the rest of this year 2017 and next 2018? We assume that you will touring around clubs and festivals. Can you advance anything to us? Any important event? When new songs?
This year and early 2018 we are doing a lot of touring in Europe with our new record. Later in 2018 we are planning on doing some big shows with a XL-band with percussion and Hammond-organ. We are also planning on doing some Allman Brothers Band-tribute shows.
I have the feeling that in last decade there are better and more musicians than ever before, but less valued than those of previous times. Are you in agreement with my comment?
I think every area is market with some great players. Nowadays guitar-heroes aren’t hot anymore but I don’t think musicians are less valued. I think real musicianship is becoming a kind of niche. And that’s not per se a bad thought. If it’s becoming a niche it also means that it will attract more devotional fans and music lovers that will have great respect for the musicians. That’s a good thing.
Has your opinion about the world situation changed when we asked you two years ago?
No. I like to see it as positive as possible without being un-realistic. If we would respect and love each other a little bit more I think the world becomes a better place for everybody.
MISCELLANY
Could you tell us about…
… A book: I don’t read 🙂
… A movie: Boogie Nights
… A song: Someday – Darrell Scott
… An album: Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
… A group or soloist: Vulfpeck
… A hobby: Hiking
Thank you very much. Best wishes from Spain,
Thank you! I hope to see you by one of our concerts!