Sometimes a song waits for you to grow into it. For Leeds-based trio Leodis, their latest single 'Days Like These' is a testament to how music evolves as life moves on. Originally written in 2021 as a breakup anthem, the track was shelved, until now. When the band recently revisited it, what once sounded like heartache had shifted into something deeper.
With its warm, windswept production, rich harmonies, and understated ache, 'Days Like These' sits somewhere between Kings of Leon’s rawness and the lyrical soul of Americana. But this is no throwback. Leodis sound utterly present, capturing the kind of emotional reckoning that sneaks up on you on ordinary afternoons, when one thought, one song, or one smell brings everything rushing back.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
We all fell in love with different instruments at the start. Archie began with piano lessons, but the spark wasn’t quite there yet. Everything changed when his uncle handed him an acoustic guitar, and that became the first instrument he truly connected with. George started out on drums before making the jump to guitar and eventually taking on bass duties in the band as well. Ammaron, on the other hand, has always loved guitar and devoted most of his life to the craft.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Archie grew up on Glenn Campbell and Bruce Springsteen, which gives the band its country and classic feel. George was raised on everything from Radiohead to U2 to the Beatles, bringing more diverse songwriting ideas into the mix. Ammaron came up on heavier, rock-leaning music, adding the edge that rounds out the band’s sound.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Delta by Mumford and Sons. It is an anthemic, stadium-sized track that often gets overlooked in their discography, but it carries so much emotion and raw power. It is the kind of song that we would love to capture in our own music.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Archie usually comes in with a voice memo of an initial idea, and we all sit together with our instruments to bring it to life. Once the core of the song starts to form, we take it into recording and production, which we handle ourselves. That is often where new melodies, chord changes and lyrics emerge. The whole process is very collaborative, and the song tends to evolve naturally as we build it.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
We have been really into Joshua Sloan’s debut album lately. His lyricism, instrumentation and production have all been a big source of inspiration for us. Chris Stapleton is another major influence, especially in the country world, with his iconic voice and that huge, soulful band sound. Lizzy McAlpine inspires a lot of the softer and more sensitive moments in our own music. The way she weaves her lyrics, melodies and instrumental parts together creates such a heart-wrenching, emotional atmosphere that we really admire.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Zach Bryan. He is a huge inspiration for us, and his tours are massive. We feel our sound would fit naturally on one of his shows, and his fans would really get on board with what we do. It would be an incredible honour to share a stage with him.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The most rewarding part of being a musician is seeing a song grow from a simple idea into something people connect with deeply. Knowing that something we’ve created from our imagination can have an impact on someone’s life is an incredible feeling. The live side of things is just as special. Actually getting to put a face to a like or a stream and connecting with people in person is hugely important. During Covid, we weren’t able to perform at all, and it even led us to put the band on pause for a while, so being able to get back out there now and share our music live feels more important than ever.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The most challenging part is finding enough time to devote fully to our music. We all have to balance making a living alongside our passion, which also allows us to fund the band and keep creating. It’s a delicate balance. We would love to do this full time, but for now, we’re grateful that we can pursue our music while still keeping things sustainable. It makes every moment we get to write, record, or perform feel even more special.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
The best advice we’ve received is to make music you love for yourselves, and the right people will find you. Trying to imitate others or chase trends only makes you a second-rate version of someone else. Stay authentic, believe in your music, and let trends work for you rather than compromising your sound to follow what’s popular.
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Leodis' new single 'Days Like These' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.