Alternative dream-rock four-piece Leem of Earth are stepping into their most ambitious creative chapter yet with 'SEE', a concept album that reconnects the band with their 90s alternative roots while opening their sound to an altogether broader musical world.
Inspired by George MacDonald's Victorian fairy tale The Princess and Curdie, the record explores ideas of quests, transformation and discovering that a journey may have begun before we have consciously chosen to take it. Alongside the band's atmospheric alternative rock, instruments including erhu, hammered dulcimer and Persian santoor bring new textures to that narrative world.
First single ‘The Greatest Gift’ captures the moment before the adventure truly begins. Originally written by vocalist Gileah Taylor as a piano demo, the track transforms Curdie's uncertainty about accepting his quest into a brooding, cinematic dream-rock piece built around ethereal vocals and a growing sense of movement.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with singer Gileah Taylor to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them most over the years.
-
What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
When I was 5 or 6, I started playing piano and loved it but didn’t quite get along with my teacher. My dad, who is also a musician, allowed me to learn on my own. I’d practice a piano course book, and once I played it for him he would buy the next level up.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
My mom and dad played a lot of classical records and since Dad is a preacher, LOTS of church music, like hymns and Psalms. The guys were into Led Zeppelin (Eric/drums) and Death Cab for Cutie (Nick/bass) and Weezer (Ben/guitar).
What was the first album you remember owning?
The Last of the Mohicans soundtrack on CD was my first purchase with money I earned from babysitting.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There’s a song called Heaven by The Fire Theft that I love and it always makes me cry. The main guy in the band was the main guy from Sunny Day Real Estate.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I think the most important habit that leads to good songwriting is learning to simply be in the seemingly small moments in life. I like to take a walk- no headphones, no destination. I love people watching. Reading (especially fairy tales) is the surest way for me to be inspired. I don’t do anything specific because I wait for songs to come and even then only feel like I’m discovering them.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
We are on an amazing 100% independent record label called Velvet Blue Music and we love the music of our label mates. Especially Lydia Withem- she’s made a gorgeous instrumental album called Yonder Rd. Our guitarist Ben loves Gvth Dvddy. He said their music scratches an itch in his brain. Starflyer 59 and Fine China both have recent releases we love.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Radiohead, of course.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The guys and I have talked about this recently, just what a gift it is to be able to do music. We all have regular lives and getting the chance to make music is so life-giving and we hope that feeling spills over onto the listener.
And what is the most frustrating part?
It’s quite an expensive endeavor and impossible as an indie band to recoup with streaming which is why we like to focus on physical media. We worked with some amazing artists and there is original artwork on the cover and we even have a coloring/lyric book that has original illustrations.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Ben and Nick (brothers) said their dad’s advice was “Play like a man” and although that applied to sports they think it also works for music. And Eric (drummer) suggests to play along with records when you’re learning your instrument. My mom paints and she and I like to remind each other of the oft-quoted line, If you don’t quit then you can’t fail. Applies to everything!
-
Leem of Earth's new single 'The Greatest Gift' is out now. Check it out in the player below.