LEADR

LEADR, "Waves"

LEADR makes a more than impressive first impression with the release of his debut single "Waves," a pulsating, euphoric rush of dream-like atmospherics that manages to feel therapeutic, nostalgic and cleansing all at once. - Billboard

Waves come and go, pushing in and out, each crest and troph a brief and momentary blip in time. They’re temporary; transients in this world, their very existence defined their beginning and end. That’s what makes waves so beautiful, and allows them to be such an inspiration. LE∆DR’s debut single “Waves” is a pulsing, blissful rush of emotional ambiance that washes over us with purity, minimalism, and temporal energy.

When the waves rush in
Let it flow through you
Oh welcome change
In a crowded room
I knew it was you
I see you, I see you
Oh welcome back
Watch: “Waves” – LEADR


Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering LEADR’s exclusive debut single and video, the dazzling “Waves.” A self-declared “indie-dance” artist based in Los Angeles, LEADR blends his own ethereal vocals with samples, electronic beats and live instrumentation to create something that feels familiar, yet altogether unique.

Waves – LEADR

Wash the dirt off your hands
LA bound, feel the sand
Oh a brand new sun
See the flowers bloom
I knew it was you

Debuting with “Waves” allows LEADR to introduce not only his musical identity, but also his penchant for (and work in) fashion. “Fashion is a part of my creative process,” he explains. “I’m a visual kind of guy and the freedom to express myself is what draws me to fashion. Every shape or color I wear influences my mood, similar to how listening to a song can influence your mood. It also enhances my performance and puts me in my element when on stage.”

“Waves,” as it so happens, is white. “I collaborated with James Dii, Los Angeles Fashion Designer, to allow him to create and bring to life my vision through his designs,” he explains. “The whole aesthetic of my video was all white, pure and minimal. The all white wardrobe absorbs the hues from the prismatic lights in the video. We wanted to create some movement with the clothes that was inspired by the song, like my lyric ‘Let it flow through you.’ Feathers are symbolic to the video, in that they are sensitive to the wind and the clothes flow like a feather.”

It was you
Welcome back

“Waves” transfixes viewers with its bright, all-white visual. Our eyes are inevitably drawn to faces and bodies as the dancers, Estelle O Keefe and Jessica Margo, join LEADR in his hypnosis.

Yet while we’re lulled into warm reverie, “Waves” is not a dream: It’s a state of being, an outcry from and of the self.

Director Margo Vitor says on the video: “After listening to ‘Waves,’ we decided to forgo the temptation to assume a pictorial narrative. Instead, the conceptual goal was to create a minimalist, almost abstract aesthetic that would emphasize LEADR the artist and would visually support the beauty of his lush sound as well as parallel the huge dynamic build of the music.”

They’ve certainly succeeded in casting a wide, yet concentrated net. A faithful and fearless introduction, LEADR’s “Waves” is fresh and new, the start of something special. Connect with the artist below, and stream “Waves” exclusively on Atwood Magazine. - Atwood Magazine

Launchpad is a playlist series showcasing music we love, hand selected by our staff. The tracks come from both emerging and mainstream artists; it’s all about the quality and the unexpected. If you’d like your music featured in Launchpad, submit it for consideration here.

DA Playlist Selects:

Ayelle – “Young”

Oli Hannaford – “The Crown”

Tracklist:
Ralph Taylor – “Eyes”
Close Counters– “SOULACOASTA”
Masserne – “Kaskaskia”
LEADR – “Waves”
dean keeton– “speedway”
Ayelle – “Young”
Oli Hannaford – “The Crown”
LARSEN – “Severe” - Dancing Astronaut

LEADR has the most amazing voice. The first time I heard his music, I wasn’t even sure he was human. Naturally, I knew I had to talk to him about his distinct sound.

I tell him his sound is so dreamy and whimsical and LEADR counters with, “I’m a Pisces and those descriptive words definitely define me.” He says it was trial and error. “I tried so many genres. I even tried rap, but that didn’t work!” he laughs.

“I’m all about feeling and this direction just felt good to me. I want to make good music,” he tells me. LEADR emphasizes creating music to make a difference. “I want to inspire people to dream bigger and reach higher. I would also love to see more Asians in the forefront of western music and entertainment,” he says.

When it comes to songwriting he creates a beat first and everything falls into place. He tells me, “I love my voice recorder on my phone. If I hear a melody or a cool sound, I record it. Some of my tracks have samples from my iPhone that I’ve recorded.”

As a kid, LEADR had a fascination with Peter Pan. “I love the quote from him, 'All it takes is faith and trust.' because it’s true with anything we want to do.” He says, “It was clear with what I wanted to do with my life. Music fulfills my soul.”

He says his best advice to anyone is simply, “Take care of yourself.” He continues and says, "Make sure you are happy, eating healthy and living your best life. That ties into my good relationship advice - if you aren’t happy with yourself, you won’t be happy in any relationship.”

Check out his dreamy acoustic video for “Waves” now. - The New Nine

Enigmatic indie-dance artist LEADR has released his the video for his debut single “Waves,” available for streaming now on YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, Tidal, and Apple Music. The video, directed by Margo Victor, can be seen now below!

LEADR is a Los Angeles-based producer, singer and songwriter, who embodies his uplifting and positive motifs through music. His sound harmonizes his ethereal, idyllic vocals with multi-layered samples, incorporating live instrumentation with atmospheric electronic beats. His influences encompass everything from classical to jazz to house, a dreamy concoction that transports his followers above time and space. Since the age of 10, LEADR knew he was destined for a career in music; the New Jersey native followed this inspiration and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream, with which he hopes to inspire and stimulate the world.

Now, LE∆DR is thrilled to release his debut single & video “Waves,” which showcases his unique style and dedication to fashion. “I collaborated with James Dii, Los Angeles Fashion Designer, to allow him to create and bring to life my vision through his designs,” he explains. “The whole aesthetic of my video was all white, pure and minimal. The all white wardrobe absorbs the hues from the prismatic lights in the video. We wanted to create some movement with the clothes that was inspired by the song, like my lyric ‘Let it flow through you.’ Feathers are symbolic to the video, in that they are sensitive to the wind and the clothes flow like a feather.”

Director Margo Vitor says on the video, “After listening to ‘Waves,’ we decided to forgo the temptation to assume a pictorial narrative. Instead, the conceptual goal was to create a minimalist, almost abstract aesthetic that would emphasize LEADR the artist and would visually support the beauty of his lush sound as well as parallel the huge dynamic build of the music.” - The Prelude Press

LEADR är en artist från Los Angeles som här debuterar med singeln Waves.
Sångaren bjuder på silkeslen soulig röst och snygg minimalistisk elektronisk produktion. Att LEADR även har snygg stil när det kommer till kläddesign gör ju inte saken sämre när vi här ser videon.

“I collaborated with James Dii, Los Angeles Fashion Designer, to allow him to create and bring to life my vision through his designs. The whole aesthetic of my video was all white, pure and minimal. The all white wardrobe absorbs the hues from the prismatic lights in the video. We wanted to create some movement with the clothes that was inspired by the song, like my lyric ‘Let it flow through you.’ Feathers are symbolic to the video, in that they are sensitive to the wind and the clothes flow like a feather.” - Popmuzik

LA-based indie-dance artist LE∆DR has released his debut single Waves, which is now available for purchasing and streaming on Spotify, Youtube, Soundcloud, Tidal and Apple Music. In addition, he has released an accompanying video with the single. See the video below:

The new video showcases LE∆DR’s style and dedication to fashion. “The whole aesthetic of my video was all white, pure and minimal. The all white wardrobe absorbs the hues from the prismatic lights in the video. We wanted to create some movement with the clothes that was inspired by the song, like my lyric ‘Let it flow through you.’ Feathers are symbolic to the video, in that they are sensitive to the wind and the clothes flow like a feather,” he explains about the video.

LE∆DR plans to release more new music this spring. For more information on LE∆DR, be sure to follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. - Trendsetters Magazine

Meet the LA-based electro-pop artist LEADR, who just released his debut single & video “Waves.”
“Fashion is a part of my creative process,” he explains. “I’m a visual kind of guy and the freedom to express myself is what draws me to fashion. Every shape or color I wear influences my mood, similar to how listening to a song can influence your mood. It also enhances my performance and puts me in my element when on stage.”
Connect With LEADR Here:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/leadrmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadrmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/leadrmusic
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/leadrmusic
Youtube: http://bit.ly/LEADRyoutube
Learn more about LEADR in the following All Access interview:
Overall, how do you think 2017 was for you and your career?
2017 for me was a year of making decisions and honing my sound. Also, I shot my first music video, “Waves”, and I’m super excited to share it to the world.
What are you most excited about for this year?
I’m most excited to finally release my music, tour and collaborate with different artists.
Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions? Care to share them with us?
To live each day like it’s your last and continue working on new music.
Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?
When I was about 8 years old, my mother brought me a Playskool voice recorder with a microphone. I would steal my older brother’s cassette tapes in the basement of my childhood home and play his Michael Jackson or Madonna albums. I would just sing along and perform in front of my family. I knew this was my dream to be a musician.
I always like to ask artists about where they came from and how that city or town has influenced them as an artist now. So how do you think your home has affected you and your music today?
I’m from good ole Cherry Hill, NJ. My parents were pretty strict when I was a kid. They kept me home with my twin brother, Ben, and made us study all day like every asian parent out there. Haha! When they were away from work, we would keep ourselves entertained by illegally downloading a bunch of electronic and trance music on Napster. At the time, it wasn’t very popular but we both loved it. It’s funny because I remember talking to my brother and wondering if this type of music will ever go mainstream. Fast forward, it’s everywhere!
How did you go about picking LEADR as your artist name? Why not just go by your own real name? Do you find that this allows you to be someone different when recording music?
LEADR is my project moniker. I’m inspired by so many people I’ve met in my life. They helped lead me to where I am today. Good or bad. There were mistakes along the way but I’ve learned from them. My music is very uplifting and I want to take my followers on a journey and lead them to their greatness. We are all LEADRs and I want to inspire people to dream bigger and reach higher with my music. If I can do it, you can do it!
This allows my music to speak for itself. It’s fun to be mysterious! Sort of like a superhero. Haha! Plus, LEADR would look dope on a t-shirt.

“I collaborated with James Dii, Los Angeles Fashion Designer, to allow him to create and bring to life my vision through his designs. The whole aesthetic of my video was all white, pure and minimal. Very flowy. Introducing me as the artist. The all white wardrobe absorbs the hues from the prismatic lights in the video. We wanted to create some movement with the clothes that was inspired by my song, “Waves.” Like my lyric, ‘Let it flow through you.’ Feathers are symbolic to the video. Feathers are sensitive to the wind and the clothes flow like a feather.”
Let’s talk about your debut single called “Waves.” Where did the inspiration for this track come from?
I created the production in NYC and wrote the track in LA. I was inspired by the waves of change. The energy of LA was what brought me here. There is so much inspiration from the people to the sun shining everyday. I love it and I don’t miss the cold!
What does it feel like to finally be releasing a song?
It feels like I’m blowing a dandelion into the wind and making my wish come true.
Why do you think that this is a great introduction to what you are about as a musician?
My song is a great introduction to what I am as a musician because it’s about new beginnings and letting go of your fears. It took me so long to find my sound and I am really happy with the direction I’m going towards.
What was it like making the video for “Waves”? How creatively involved were you with the whole process?
It was so much fun and I had an amazing team to help me bring my vision come to life. Margo Victor, Los Angeles Artist & Filmmaker, directed my video and she came up with the idea to introduce me as the artist in the most minimal and pure way. She’s an incredible artist and I trusted her along the way. I came up with the all white aesthetic. White to me evokes new beginnings, simplicity and infinite imagination. Also, I brought on dancers to represent changes in my life and the choreography had a sense of flow like my lyric, “Let it flow through you.” There is a section in the video that had a super 8 kinda feel to it. We cut out positive words to inspire the audience and projected it on to my body. Also, all the wardrobe was custom made by Los Angeles fashion designer, James Dii. It’s unbelievable and if I saw it in a store, I would’ve bought it all. He gets my aesthetic and it was great to work with him. I was definitely involved with the video editing process with Margo. I have a degree in film and audio production, so that helped.
I would love to know more about how fashion is a big part of your creative process? Can you elaborate on that? How do your fashion choices influence the kind of music that you make? What are some of your favorite items in your closet right now?
Fashion is a part of my creative process. I’m a visual kind of guy and the freedom to express myself is what draws me to fashion. Every shape or color I wear can change my mood. Like listening to a song can change your mood. It also enhances my performance. I live a very minimalistic life and I’m more into experiences. My favorite item in my closet is actually a basic white oversized t-shirt I bought in Tokyo. Haha! The simple things in life makes me happy.
Do you have any tour dates planned for 2018 already?
As of now, not yet. I would love to open for an already established artist.

Photo Credit- Josiah Cracraft

Where do you find that you at your happiest- on stage performing, in the studio recording music, writing songs or elsewhere?
All of the above! Music makes me happy! - All Access Magazine

INTRO BY MADDEN LEVIN

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

Describing his music as “translucent melodic waves that beat” is only one amazing thing about musician and fashion lord, LEADR. In our exclusive interview with this incredible artist, we learned some interesting things, like when he first realized that music was an interest of his and how he incorporates fashion into the melodic waves! To find out more, read below and be sure to check out LEADR on all of his social media accounts for updates on new music and news!



When was the moment that you first realized that you wanted to be a musician?

"If you ask my 8 year old self what my dreams were, being a musician was my dream. I remember my mother bought me a Playskool cassette recorder with a microphone. I would put on the radio and sing along. I wish I still had those cassette tapes!"



How would you describe your music in your own words?

"Translucent melodic waves that beat."



What does fashion mean to you?

"Fashion plus beauty has always been a part of my creative process. It helps express my individuality and it enhances my performances."



How do you incorporate your fashion into your music style/process?

"I like to write about positive life experiences and I want to inspire people. When I think of of these emotions, I see the color white. I incorporate the color white in my style. White to me evokes new beginnings, simplicity and infinite imagination."



You just released your debut single Waves. Can you tell us a little about the song and how you chose to have it as your first single?

"I created the production in NYC and wrote the track in LA. I was inspired by the waves of change. The energy of LA was what brought me here. It’s catchy and sonically, it felt good. I’m all about feeling."



You also released a music video to go along with the song. How did you make sure that the visuals really brought the song to life?

"I had a meeting with my friend and super talented film director of 'Waves', Margo Victor. She came up with the idea to present myself in the most minimal and abstract way. She referenced one of PJ Harvey’s music videos. I thought it was cool how her productions were so stripped and more focused on her performance. I came up with the idea to have dancers in the video to represent changes in my life and the choreography had a sense of flow like my lyric, 'Let it flow through you.' Also, I would like to thank James Dii, Los Angeles Fashion Designer, for hand crafting all the beautiful pieces in my video."



Do you have any long-term goals for yourself and your music?

"Inspire people musically, focusing on making more music, tour around the world, and maybe create my own empire like Jay-Z. Haha!"



Is there anything else that we can expect from you in the near future?

"My second single is coming out very soon and I can’t wait to perform my music live. I’m really excited about that!" - Unclear Magazine

Welcome to Freshly Squeezed, a weekly new music playlist: spanning country, pop, EDM and urban, mainstream and other.

As many sufferers of crippling mental illness will tell you, music is a gateway to remedy. An artist’s willingness to unveil their own tragic stories can often mend others in immeasurable ways, and for that, I am thankful. LOLO is one of those, a bold, crafty artisan of evocative, sometimes chilling, storytelling. On her burning soul-pop record, 2016’s In Loving Memory of When I Gave a Shit, our favorite record of that entire year, she exposed intimate but universal trials and tribulations. After a bit of a hiatus from the spotlight, but running across the country on various concert stops, she returns today with one of her finest, most visceral compositions to-date. “Leaning” swings low, her voice blistering the guitar which bubbles oh-so gently underneath her. She is a vision, so it seemed appropriate to kick off the brand new, just-pressed Freshly Squeezed new-music playlist. She’ll tear your heart out and make you reassess your own mental state in the same stroke.

But that’s only scratching the surface.

More Than This make a cannonball-sized splash with “Pursuit,” while Shakey Graves offer up a double-dose of Americana folklore. COIN expose their “Growing Pains”; Jesse Saint John makes us “Move” a little; and Ruby Boots, whose excellent sophomore album Don’t Talk About It is out today, examines systemic sexism and chronicles her femininity on “I am a Woman.” Also soundtracking our morning is Shanghai Blues, Wantigga, Cherry Pools, bülow, FINNEAS, Steve Moakler, Wade Bowen, James Bay, Bahari, KILLEN, Alela Diane and Darci, among countless others.

Below, we’ve got 51 lemon-splashed bangers, ballads and bold odes to consume.

Each playlist will be refreshed every Friday morning. We reserve the right to update anytime during the week, so make sure you bookmark this page.

Take a spin: - B Sides and Badlands