“something a little bit special” - Gary Crowley, BBC Radio London “envelops the listener like a duckdown duvet…undoubtedly a rising star worth watching.- Hard of Hearing “Warm and Magnetic” - The Most Radicalist “simple yet effective, transporting the listener somewhere far away” Acute Pop |
Hailing from Southend, Essex, but currently based in south west London, 22 year old Leo Walrus pens songs of honesty, kindness and stirring introspection. Today, Walrus firmly introduces himself to the world with debut album I May Need Some Silence. True to its title, this 11-song digest of dream-folk and neo-soul is here to savour life’s quieter, more ponderous moments; a soothing celebration of those inward-looking ruminations and reflections that help us flourish and grow. With one foot dipped in the stylisms of the 60s folk boom, and another devoted to the sonic riches of a Marvin Gaye, a Steve Lacy; to his all time idol King Krule; to the cuban jazz of Buena Vista Social Club or Detroit Rappers Boldy James and Freddie Gibbs, Leo’s drive towards nuanced eclecticism and innovation is undoubtedly present, despite his retro apperance. “I don't want to be locked in the past.”, Leo admits, “I want to have influences from all genres and all eras. I've never wanted to be ‘the vintage guy’. I'm cool embodying that in certain ways, but I don't want to seem like I'm trying to be a throwback.” With album two already in motion, I May Need Some Silence barely scratches the surface of all the twists and turns Walrus expects his music to take in the immediate future. “I've never lived with songs this long and still enjoyed them,” he concludes of the record, ”I still feel like this is the one. This is my first album. And all the other stuff will come after that. It still feels like what should be my first expression.” Hot on the heels of singles ‘Up Somewhere’ and ‘Angel Angel’ and ‘Can You Swim?’ Walrus has already received backing from a noteworthy retinue of indie grassroots champions Hard of Hearing, Wax Music, The Most Radicalist, Selout London, Acute Pop and Vocal Girls Weekly, in addition to plays on BBC Radio London and Amazing Radio. |