The churning intensity of the Delta blues; the distant horns of a New Orleans second line; the storytelling of Waits, Dylan, Knopfler; the infectious rapture of James Brown, Joe Tex and Prince – these are just a few of the sounds that have coalesced in new, up and coming UK based artist Adam Leaver. Having played for 10+ years, he is making his first official steps into the industry: he is currently preparing for the release his debut album Vanilla and Cyanide.
With obvious inspiration from Tom Waits, Leaver’s debut single “Roll On, John” is a spare tale woven from shadows. The hypnotic train-like strum pattern gives the song a sense of urgency — you’re not quite sure where you’re going, or why, but you know you need to hurry. In our interview, Leaver waxes rhapshodic about his influences and hopes to play in New Orleans someday.
Who are some of your musical influences?
Mark Knopfler was huge for me growing up. From his early Dire Straits work right through to his solo stuff. My dad was – and is – a huge fan so I’ve been lucky enough to see him live many times. There’s something about his melodic and fluid guitar styling that never gets old. He’s also a criminally underrated lyricist. Just listen to a song like “Song for Sonny Liston” or “Boom, Like That” – I don’t think there’s anyone out there that can write songs like those.
Tom Waits is another huge one for me, admittedly a later addition to the roster of influences. I was introduced to him by a friend, fittingly enough over several drinks, and haven’t stopped listening since. His musical journey, his playful combination of styles and, of course, his voice are all infinite sources of mystery and wonder to me.
My first musical love was really country music, and in particular the music of Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. It’s often said that the simplicity of this music makes it easy for kids to enjoy it, and I think in my case this was definitely true. However the music of these giants also holds a timeless appeal; you can certainly mine them for deep truths and currents of wisdom as an adult.
Then of course we have those I lump together as “the blues guys,” though of course this list does not exclusively consist of men. The discovery of the blues to me as a teenager was, as with many musicians, a revelation, and a startlingly powerful one. I first fell in love with the powerful Gibson sounds of Gary Moore, however fairly soon barrelhoused deeper into the history of the music. Figures like Howlin Wolf, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Robert Johnson, Blind Willie Johnson, Blind Blake and Son House became my role models (musically speaking). The crowning glory of all of these for me was Charley Patton, and to this day I idolise his guitar playing and powerful singing, evident even through the crackle of old 78s. I always incorporate a couple of his songs into my live performances – I believe they are some of the most entertaining and transcendent examples of musicianship ever committed to wax. Jack White, especially in the White Stripes, was very good in this respect; reviving interest in artists like Son House and Blind Willie McTell and introducing them to later generations. I was particularly under the spell of the White Stripes’ albums as a teenager, and later the project of Third Man Records to remaster and re-release the recordings of the pre-war Paramount Label.
I cannot of course leave off this list figures in the funk and soul tradition, such as James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Joe Tex, Betty Harris, Ann Peebles, Don Bryant, and Prince (although it seems unfairly limiting to resign Prince to just one genre). I’ll be happy if I can attain half of the charisma and prowess on stage these musicians had (and continue to have)!
The jazz of New Orleans also holds a special place in my heart. I save this until last as I don’t really play the music, however hearing the music of legends like Louis Armstrong or Jelly Roll Morton is always a joy to me. The musicians coming out of the city today – whether Kermit Ruffins, Glen David Andrews, Trombone Shorty, Ashton Hines, or Big Sam (of Big Sam’s Funky Nation) are among the most compelling and talented players and raconteurs in the business. For any live music lovers out there, the city of New Orleans is the only place to go.
Name a perfect song and tell us why you feel that way.
I think it’s hard to top a song like “16 Shells from a 30 Ought 6” by Tom Waits – both the live version from the album Big Time and studio version from Swordfishtrombones. The studio version is driving, and a masterclass in using space to create a soundscape. The live version is chaotic, eruptive, and crashes through you like a torrent of floodwater – and you can’t help but be dragged along. Add to both versions the fabulous lyrics that only a mind like Tom’s is capable of producing, and his gravelly delivery which is taken to glorious extremes in the live rendition, and you’ve got a killer track. So killer in fact that I spent months after first hearing it wondering whether it was even worth trying to write my own compositions, given something that good was already out there!
Who would you love to collaborate with? Why?
Without a doubt, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band of New Orleans. Those guys are exceptional musicians and doing some really important work in keeping the spirit of traditional New Orleans music alive. You only need to look at their recent album with the remarkable Charlie Gabriel to see that. I’d need some quite intensive practice to get to a point where they’d allow me to sit in, but something like that would be a zenith – both spiritually and professionally.
Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off?
Absolutely: I’d love to play a club on Frenchmen Street. You can have the Superdome – Frenchmen Street is where it’s at. The quality and quantity of the music is enough to make you balk, plus there’s always someone cooking up some barbecue on the sidewalk after (and most often during) the gig. Just the idea of playing there, and having an audience dig what I’m playing, is enough to have me daydreaming for hours!
What’s the best way a fan can support you?
Symptomatic as it is of the modern age, the best thing is to follow me on Spotify and stream my tunes. Keep an eye on the website, adamleaver.com, and follow me on my socials, and if you’re feeling inclined order a CD of my latest album! All details available on the website. Thanks everyone for reading, and thanks to Adobe and Teardops for having me!