Reimagined Melodies: Leon Opens Up About His Comeback with “look at us now”'!
By. Alicia Zamora
Leon Geldard, an emerging artist with a passion for music that resonates deeply, has captured the hearts of many with his soulful sound and heartfelt lyrics. In a journey that has seen him evolve as a musician, his recent work reflects not only his growth but also the emotional experiences that shape his artistry. This year promises to be a transformative one for him, filled with new releases and creative endeavors, and he’s eager to share it all with his fans.
In an exclusive interview with Alicia’s Studio, Geldard opens up about his latest single, “look at us now,” revealing the powerful meaning behind the track. He discusses the inspirations that drive his writing process and how music has been a constant companion throughout his life. For Geldard, every song is a chapter of his story, and he is excited to take listeners on a journey through his mind and heart.
As he sets out to make this year one of his most memorable yet, Geldard emphasizes that this is only the prologue of what is to come. With plenty of projects on the horizon, his dedication to his craft shines through, and he can't wait to share more of himself with the world. Stay tuned, as Leon Geldard is just getting started, and there’s so much more in store for all his supporters.
Diving In
Alicia: What was the earliest moment you can remember when you knew music was going to play a central role in your life?
Leon: For me, music has always held a special place in my heart. So, I’ll go with my earliest memory. I vividly remember watching a Pagani car ad featuring Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons when I was around 4-5 years old. After hearing it, I was enamored. Within 2 weeks, I started playing the violin, and I guess the rest is history!
Alicia: Who were the artists or moments that sparked your decision to pursue music as a career?
Leon: 5SOS and Coldplay were my biggest motivators when it came to me pursuing music. Initially, I started out as a guitarist in my school band, and I often dreamt of touring the world with my best friends playing pop-rock tracks. As I grew up, my vision definitely started to change.
Alicia: Can you recall the moment when you decided to take music seriously and push it beyond just a hobby?
Leon: Music has never felt like a hobby. Instead, I saw it as something that would inevitably become something more. It’s hard to pinpoint a moment when it became more than a hobby, but I would say the past six months have felt different. I’m excited to see what happens next!
Alicia: How did your musical influences in your early years shape your style or sound today?
Leon: I think my sound is deeply rooted in my early influences: Mellow/Alternative British Rock, R&B and DnB. I would say DnB has a little less influence, but there are elements that I love from these three styles that can be seen throughout my music today.
Alicia: What were some of the most unexpected challenges you faced when starting out in the music world, and how did you navigate them?
Leon: Working alone. It’s a double-edged sword. I came from a band with my best friends and that came with a variety of opinions, tastes, and ideas. We would argue and fight over details on how to do songs. Even so, it was always fun. We always developed my initial song pitch to create something fresh and something that embodied everyone in the band. The transition from working with others to writing alone was rough. It gave me the freedom I was looking for, but for a while, I felt overwhelmed and unsure of what I was creating, often doubting myself along the way. But today, it’s become something that I cherish deeply and is a challenge I’m glad to have navigated and conquered.
Alicia: Looking back on your journey, is there a lesson you’ve learned the hard way that you’d share with aspiring musicians?
Leon: Patience. Also, make as many friends as you can along the way.
Alicia: Was there a turning point or event in your career that made you feel like you were on the right path?
Leon: With every release, my path becomes clearer and clearer.
Alicia: How did the people closest to you react when you expressed your dream of becoming a musician, and how did their support or scepticism shape your journey?
Leon: There was and definitely still is some apprehension. But I like it; I like proving people wrong.
Alicia: The title “look at us now” suggests a reflection of some kind. What story or theme does this track center around, and why was it important to share this message?
Leon: I wrote “look at us now” a couple of years ago. I wanted to capture the aftermath of a young love. Embedded in the song are feelings of regret, anger, and sadness but most importantly, love. The reason it hurts is because they won’t look at you anymore even though you still care for them.
Alicia: Can you dive into the personal experiences or emotions that influenced the creation of "look at us now"?
Leon: “look at us now” is about dealing with the consequences of saying things you don’t mean in fights to someone you love and running into them afterwards. I remember coming into school days after a breakup. Instead of greeting each other or hugging each other as we always would, we just acted like we never knew each other. It was heartbreaking for me.
Alicia: How long did the creative process for this single take, from initial ideas to final production, and what were some key moments along the way?
Leon: In most cases, I would say my creative process is quite quick from the initial demo to the final song, but “look at us now” took over two years to finish. The writing stage took only around 2-3 days, but I never got around to producing it, as I struggled to execute my ideas. When I finally revisited it, I was far more experienced in producing but still struggled the most out of any of my other tracks.
Alicia: Is there a specific lyric or line in the song that holds deep personal significance for you? Why does it resonate the most?
Leon: I would say the outro is the one that feels the most important to me. I’ve been told that I can sometimes come across as cold or indifferent when that is far from how I feel. I think that’s probably why it hits home to me. I felt it was important to be transparent and direct.
Alicia: How do you feel "look at us now" reflects your growth as an artist and a person compared to earlier songs you've released?
Leon: It’s one of my favorites and shows a more mature side to my music. I also think it’s one of my first releases where the lyrics properly resonated with my audience.
Alicia: Did you explore any new sounds or creative approaches in the production of this track that you hadn’t before? What was that like?
Leon: In many ways, I did the opposite, It was my first ever 6/8 song and I really wanted to capture the space between the beats. I tried to streamline my production by keeping only the essence of the track.
Alicia: What’s the one thing you hope fans take away from your music? Is there a particular message you want them to connect with?
Leon: I want you to feel. Nothing more, nothing less. I love the idea that everyone has their own unique and personal relationship with the stories I share in my music.
Alicia: Are there any visuals or a concept for the music video for “look at us now” that can give us a glimpse into what you're envisioning for this single?
Leon: Initially “look at us now” was supposed to be a one-take acoustic guitar ballad. So the video being one-take is a small homage to the initial idea of the tune.
Alicia: How does "look at us now" fit into the bigger picture of your music career moving forward? Is this track a preview of what’s to come?
Leon: Definitely. “look at us now” is a step closer to the sound I am searching for.
Alicia: Ending the interview off, would you like to say anything to the people who listen to your music?
Leon: Thank you Alicia for this interview, and everyone who is reading. Thank you to anyone who listened to “look at us now.” This year is going to be a busy year for me and I can’t wait to show you all. It’s only the prologue after all, and there's much much much more in store for you. :)
