Sometimes you hear a band, and you think to yourself — they’ve got the it factor. Yes, that near indescribable intangible. That essence, that air, that swagger that is woven into the DNA of a band. Brooklyn-born synth pop band, Leisure Cruise has the it factor. They capture the sound that is currently ear worming its way into the heads of millions of alternative music fans, and they capture the wild, creative, and unique essence that is necessary for band to stand out amongst a sea of similar-sounding music. This weekend, the band performs at LBI’s Hop Sauce Fest, and we caught up with them to clear up their origin story, talk about working at Timbaland’s studio, and what kind of craft beer they’re digging right now.
Leisure Cruise (Band Members & The Instruments They Play): Producer Dave Hodge and vocalist/songwriter Leah Siegel formed Leisure Cruise unknowingly in April 2013, and officially in early November of 2013. Aaron Kinsley-Brooks (drums) and Jay Shepard (guitar) joined up once the band started performing live.
We’re Based Out of: Brooklyn
You’ve Seen Us Before In Other Bands: Broken Social Scene, Bran Van 3000, Firehorse, Moby.
Our Sound Has Been Likened To: Like being in a hovercraft in a Phillip K. Dick movie. The soundtrack to a new John Waters film as imagined in the past. Kate Bush without the wizard sleeves.
You have a pretty interesting story about how you came together – it was due to the fall-out of Hurricane Sandy, correct?
Not really. And it’s time to put this to bed and correct this (we realize it’s written this way in our bio). Dave and Leah happened to run into each other on the street the day after Hurricane Sandy. There was zero fall-out in our neighborhood and we were incredibly lucky. It’s spitting in the face of the thousands of New Yorkers who suffered real loss that night and still suffer. But yeah, it was after Sandy.
You both have had pretty successful careers in music prior to forming a band. How have you impacted each other in terms of writing and performing – both live and in-studio?
Endlessly. As collaborators we try to practice the art of “yes.” It takes a different kind of patience than I’m used to having, but is just as rewarding, if not more. As performers, there’s nothing like having a partner on stage. Being the only leader of the band has its perks, but ultimately, a show is just a party you’re throwing. I’m much happier partying with friends than alone.
You’re currently writing songs in Timbaland’s studio – how did you get invited to work in such a legendary producer’s home?
Leisure Cruise and Timbaland both have licensing/sync contracts with Ole, the top publishing company out of Canada. We met Tim’s manager Eric and he invited us down to write with his crew.
You’re playing the Hop Sauce Fest – a fest about craft beer and hot sauce — what’s your favorite craft beers and how spicy do you like you food?
Leah Siegel: My favorite beer for many years now is Lagunitas IPA and I LOOOOOVE spicy food. Currently I’m unable to enjoy either due to digestive trouble and a surprising sensitivity to nightshade vegetables. Yep. Seriously.
Dave Hodge: I’m a wine and tequila man but if i needed a cold beer I’d have a Brooklyn Lager. And like any good Canadian, I like my sauce extra spicy to fend off the cold.
What has been the proudest moment in the band’s history?
We once played in Derry, Ireland. We were the first band to perform in the former British Army barracks that had only recently been returned to the city of Derry.
Can you talk about the wildest/craziest thing that’s ever happened at a Leisure Cruise show?
Lenny Kravitz came to see us play at the Fonda Theater in LA and loved the show so much he helped us load our gear off the stage. That Lenny. He’s got class for days.
What Do You Love About Being In Leisure Cruise?
What’s not to love??
If someone has never heard your music before – what song would you recommend to them in order for them to fully understand what Leisure Cruise is all about?
‘The Getaway’ or ‘Ragged Dawn.’
What do you have planned for the rest of 2015?
Dave and Leah have sequestered themselves in Dave’s studio and others around the country and are hard at work on Leisure Cruise’s sophomore record. Leisure Cruise will also be playing Firefly in Delaware and Osheaga in Montreal this August and the doing a short tour in the Southeast.
Leisure Cruise performs this Saturday at the Hop Sauce Fest on LBI.
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