Leya kick it at An Brog

Posted on 19th Sep 05 by Contributor | 0

Artist: Leya
Author: Mark

On a night when the Irish team"s chances of qualifying for the next World Cup took a heavy blow from a rejuvenated French team in Landsdowne Road it seemed like nothing could lift my spirits. All this was about to change. A suggestion to make a trip to An Br"g to see a band called Leya was made by a friend and I thought why not"

With the support just finishing up as we entered it wasn"t long before we were to be treated to good quality music. Leya combine elements of guitar" drums and also a piano along with gentle soothing vocals. Their sound while not terribly unique has a certain feel to remind you of times when things were difficult but maintaining a nice rocky edge to get you moving and upbeat. The added effect of well"timed piano notes adding depth and feeling while the singer instantly reminds me of the frontman from starsailor but no real musical comparisons can be made here.

The gig begins at a nice pace with the band choosing to play a few songs before thanking the crowd for coming and telling us of their love of Cork. Having played at the same venue a few months back they were glad to be back again and remind us that their next outing on the Cork scene will be in An Cruisc"n for the beamish experience. Back to the music and the songs that really stick out for me here are the ones that commence with an almost hypnotising slow ambling pace and become fuller" louder and blossom into a massive and almost overpowering end until the piano intercepts to bring back down" quieter slower and fading out.

On first look everything appears to be performed so easily with some simple pop songs with gentle drum beats in there but as the set progresses things take on a more intense and less mainstream approach with the vocals and piano impressing the most. This guy has a range in his voice that you often don"t hear and tonight it has made an impact with the piano picking up on all the subtleties along the way. Most of the songs played change nicely and with good effect. The build"ups shape the sound with a tendency to go from quiet to loud and powerful and back again to an effective gentle purr.

Having informed us that their single is available from their site to download for free they launch it upon us. Now this song takes us in a different direction with the manic guitar riff at the start getting the crowd going while hitting us with a wave of heavier riffs giving it a feel of something likened to the sound of Muse. Incorporating the simple loud quiet loud style it definitely commands our attention. While the end piece delves back into the heavy guitars and drums and then just finishes.

Overall Leya were an ultimately enjoyable show helping even the most hardcore Irish fans to forget about a disappointing night in World Cup Qualifying. Some of their songs really had a feel good factor despite the heartfelt lyrics present" "A certain understanding lets me know that I"m for you" Life can be demanding but it"s not when I"m with you". And the opening lines from another" "There"s a blockage in my heart keeping you and me apart well can you tell me if it"s right or why it"s wrong/Well there are people in my head voicing rumours that are fed by the secret thoughts of minds that cannot read".

Leya have a four track E.P. that is well worth checking out and their first single" available to download from their website http://www.leya.info/ " entered the Irish top 40. Leya play in Cork as part of the Beamish Experience.