Indie dreamers The Leaf Library have mastered a woozy strain of winsome post-rock that’s as melodic as it is melancholy.
Like Movietone before them, the quartet places blissed out female vocals at the heart of their sound, with Kate Gibson’s lilting tones sinking softly into a backdrop of reverb-laden guitars and lightheaded atmospherics.
Their debut album, Daylight Versions (out 30 October), brims with slow-paced pastoral ruminations that echo the warm fuzz of Yo La Tengo, Papa M and Low.
The quartet’s initial incubation period was similarly unrushed. When guitarist and songwriter Matt Ashton found himself band-less following the split of his previous outfit Saloon in 2004, he started tentatively writing and recording with Kate.
After moving to London, they were joined by bassist Gareth Jones (from Wintergreen) and guitarist Ben Smith, Matt’s housemate at the time.
After a couple of temporary drummers, Lewis Young settled in for good, bringing with him an eclectic collection of synths and gadgets.
We spent some time with Matt to learn more about the band’s unhurried sound…
We first started writing music because…
It was way more fun (and easier) than trying to learn other people’s stuff.
We have been making music since…
We began properly when drummer Lewis joined in 2009.
Our music is…
Drowsy, layered, seasonal, imprecise, readable, lovely, in progress.
You'll like our music if you listen to...
Yo La Tengo, Talk Talk, Movietone, Harmonia, Hood, Broadcast, your heart.
Our favourite venue is…
Too many! The Luminaire (RIP), Café Oto, The Lexington (all London), The Cluny in Newcastle, Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, Deaf Institute in Manchester.
Music is important because…
It’s always there to disappear into.
Our biggest inspiration is…
Probably the weather!
Our dream collaboration would be…
I wouldn’t mind having Robert Macfarlane write some words for us, Brian Eno with his iPad/tape machines in the background and Mimi and Alan from Low dropping in to do some backing vocals. And Colin Stetson – anything with Colin Stetson. Actually, having Al from The Clientele sing on the new record was pretty high up there anyway, so we’re doing ok.
To try us out, listen to our song…
Rings of Saturn.
If we weren’t making music we’d be…
Unknown to each other. And very bored.
In 10 years’ time we want to be…
…able to update the ‘dream collaboration’ section.
Debut album Daylight Versions is released 30 October 2015 via wiaiwya.
https://theleaflibrary.bandcamp.com/
Like Movietone before them, the quartet places blissed out female vocals at the heart of their sound, with Kate Gibson’s lilting tones sinking softly into a backdrop of reverb-laden guitars and lightheaded atmospherics.
Their debut album, Daylight Versions (out 30 October), brims with slow-paced pastoral ruminations that echo the warm fuzz of Yo La Tengo, Papa M and Low.
The quartet’s initial incubation period was similarly unrushed. When guitarist and songwriter Matt Ashton found himself band-less following the split of his previous outfit Saloon in 2004, he started tentatively writing and recording with Kate.
After moving to London, they were joined by bassist Gareth Jones (from Wintergreen) and guitarist Ben Smith, Matt’s housemate at the time.
After a couple of temporary drummers, Lewis Young settled in for good, bringing with him an eclectic collection of synths and gadgets.
We spent some time with Matt to learn more about the band’s unhurried sound…
We first started writing music because…
It was way more fun (and easier) than trying to learn other people’s stuff.
We have been making music since…
We began properly when drummer Lewis joined in 2009.
Our music is…
Drowsy, layered, seasonal, imprecise, readable, lovely, in progress.
You'll like our music if you listen to...
Yo La Tengo, Talk Talk, Movietone, Harmonia, Hood, Broadcast, your heart.
Our favourite venue is…
Too many! The Luminaire (RIP), Café Oto, The Lexington (all London), The Cluny in Newcastle, Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, Deaf Institute in Manchester.
Music is important because…
It’s always there to disappear into.
Our biggest inspiration is…
Probably the weather!
Our dream collaboration would be…
I wouldn’t mind having Robert Macfarlane write some words for us, Brian Eno with his iPad/tape machines in the background and Mimi and Alan from Low dropping in to do some backing vocals. And Colin Stetson – anything with Colin Stetson. Actually, having Al from The Clientele sing on the new record was pretty high up there anyway, so we’re doing ok.
To try us out, listen to our song…
Rings of Saturn.
If we weren’t making music we’d be…
Unknown to each other. And very bored.
In 10 years’ time we want to be…
…able to update the ‘dream collaboration’ section.
Debut album Daylight Versions is released 30 October 2015 via wiaiwya.
https://theleaflibrary.bandcamp.com/
