Today we speak to country-pop singer/songwriter Leon Marshall. He shares his passion for song writing and performing and how he hopes his music career can last as long as possible.
Artist’s Name: Leon Marshall
Genre: Country-Pop
Founded: December 2016
Originated From: Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK
Discography: Bad (Single, 2017), Feel The Rain (EP, 2017), Chainsmoking (Single, 2019), Better Man (Single, 2019), Hold On (Single, 2020), One Step at a Time (Single, 2020) & Going Nowhere (Single, 2020)
How would you describe your music?
I’ve got a kind of country-pop sort of feel to my music. I’ve been described as Dr Hook meets Jamie Lawson and I’m ok with that!
What is your musical creative process like?
I’ll often come up with a lyric when I’m out and about and I’ll hang onto it until I get back to my home studio, and then I build on it from there. It’s usually a lyric that comes first.
Recently when flicking through my song book I realised that it was nearly full of choruses with no verses, and verses with no hook, so I’ve adopted a new rule now that I have to always finish a song if I start it, even if it ends up rubbish, I can always fine tune it later, but I always finish it.
When did you first become a musician?
I started playing guitar from a young age (not that you can tell from my skill level today!) and I started gigging at local open mic nights and folk clubs when I was about 16.
I stopped playing for a few years to study Art and Sculpture and then picked the guitar back up a few years later and haven’t put it down again! I’ve been regularly writing and gigging since!
Who influenced you within the music industry?
My list is of influences is endless, Elvis, Barenaked Ladies, The Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac, Sheryl Crow, Jack Johnson, Luke Coombs…I could go on forever!
Have you performed live much and what was your favourite gig to play at?
Pre Covid, I was gigging around three to four times a week. My favourite gig is always at my local Blues Bar. It’s a small venue, about 100 cap I think but the atmosphere is always amazing!
What is the best thing about being a musician?
That I get to do something so cool for a job – I love it. Playing to different people all the time and regularly seeing different parts of the country. It can be pretty tiring but it’s worth it!
What’s the biggest problem you’ve had to overcome so far as a musician?
Probably the set-up of the sound, I think. I really struggled with it at the start. Having said that, I’m assuming I’ve overcome it, people haven’t complained!
What plans have you got coming up this year?
So, I did a few days in the studio recording some new songs in autumn 2020, which was great, one about love, one about loss, and one about the Devil.
I can’t wait to share them with everyone.
Other than that, my plan is to keep writing, keep trying to better my writing and then hopefully sometime soon get back out there playing to big crowds!
What is your ultimate dream as a musician?
To make this career last as long as possible! I love what I do so much, so the ultimate dream is to not stop!
You can find out more about Leon Marshall by visiting his website and following him on Facebook and Instagram.
If you’re in a band or a musician and would like to appear on this blog, please contact me and I’ll forward you an interview template.
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