There’s nothing more exciting a journalist than to speak with someone who is passionate about their work. In this interview (which in full transparency was done via email), Connor Bracken, lead singer of Connor Bracken & The Mother Leeds Band, talks about the band’s new single “Root” and how it was a turning point in his career as a songwriter. Throughout the interview the excitement and passion Connor exudes about the band’s new music is palpable. Frankly, it’s exciting for this writer to read those words because I’ve been stoked on this band since hearing their excellent 2020 single “Voice on the Radio” on 90.5 earlier this summer.
So check out my interview with Connor Bracken as he and the Mother Leeds Band get ready to perform at Asbury Jams tonight at The Wonder Bar.
Connor Bracken & The Mother Leeds Band is (Band Members & Instruments They Play): Connor Bracken – Lead Guitar and Vocals, Dee DiMeola – Guitar, Chris Dubrow – Bass and Rich Seyffart – Drums.
Year We Formed In: Depends on who you ask but I started what would become the Mother Leeds Band in 2011 and eventually permutated into this. Our first official release under the CB&MLB moniker was on New Years Eve 2018!
You’ve Seen Us in Other Bands Such As: That’s confidential.
The Story Behind Our Name: Well, when looking for a name I stumbled upon the folklore surrounding the Jersey Devil and it stuck. Mother Leeds was the devil’s mom. Hence her name having Mother in it. Sounded cool to me and after all this time it’s stuck.
Bands That Inspired Our Sound: Too many to mention BUT Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, Mark Knopfler, Little Richard, Tom Waits, Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, pretty much anything that speaks to me. I also try to listen to as much local stuff from Asbury Park, New Jersey as I can. There is so much music where I’m from and it makes me want to be a better musician.
Famous/Awesome Bands We’ve Shared the Stage With: Vintage Trouble, Emily Woolfe, and now 87 nights!
You just dropped a new single “Root” — can you talk about how this single stands apart from your other work in both a sonic and lyrical way?
I think it’s very different from what we’ve done in the past and it was a turning point in my writing. It was the first song after we finished our last record and it just felt like a new chapter, maybe even a new book. After writing “Root” I started writing a lot again within its world. I am very excited about the direction we are taking. On our first album, we recorded 10 songs in one day. This time we gave “Root” a full two days in the studio with our man Dan Malsch. It’s refined but it bites even harder than anything we’ve done before. “Root” has led to a lot more recording and you will be hearing that very soon. I’m very proud of it.
Can you talk about if this single is the new direction for the band — and when will we be seeing new music?
Whoops, guess I answered that last question!
Obviously, the past two years changed everything for the music world. How did the past two years change your approach to music — whether it’s writing, recording, performing, etc?
Well, I always treated every performance as my last. You got to leave it all up there so the pandemic really doubled down that feeling for me. I am even more thankful to be up there now. The biggest change to the band has been my writing and recording process. My band taught me how to make demos and now I am obsessed with making mini-records at home before we hit the studio. Before the lockdown, I was writing every week and just showing the band what I had come up with not really knowing what it would sound like. Now, I’m a mad scientist messing with every little thing. Maybe someday I’ll go back. The two approaches are super different but it’s fun to do both.
If someone wanted come out to Asbury Jams at Wonder Bar to hear you guys play – what song would you suggest they “pre-game” with (listen to before they come to the show) in order to fully get what the band is all about?
I almost didn’t finish reading the question and I would have said Jack and Cokes but if they are pre-gaming with music, I’d suggest our live record OR our last album Nightbird Motel.
Talk about the Asbury Park music scene — can you talk about its current state and how do you feel it has changed (for good or bad) since you first started playing here?
It’s always changing and hell if I know if it’s good or bad. You can’t control that so I just embrace the change. I still love it here though, still feels like home.
What do you love about being in this band?
The sheer fun we have on and off stage. This band is about having a good time and if weren’t doing so I don’t think we could communicate that on stage.
What are you most excited about for the band in 2022?
More shows, more music, more EVERYTHING. We’ve already made a lot ground in 2022 with our northeast tour (featuring two headlining shows at the Hard Rock in Times Square) and released “Root” along with several live tracks. I couldn’t be more thankful for everything 2022 has brought us. We’re happy to be here and to be working and nothing is going to stop us.
