Indie-rock power duo Leisure Tank return with punchy new single, Higher, out now via Goddamn Records.
Influenced by alternative, independent and analogue rock music of the last 50 years, Leisure Tank create raw, minimalistic rock with unpredictable song structures and heavy, danceable grooves. Higher combines K.C McKanzie’s dynamic vocal and energetic guitar riffs with Budi’s pulsating drum beats to create something both distinctive and undeniably catchy. Talking about the track, Leisure Tank explain, “its about the twisted feeling one gets when someone tells a one sided, self-pitying break up story”.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Leisure Tank about the latest release, motivations, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
Budi and I both love the 60s and 70s sounds. There’s a certain warmth to the recordings of that era. We are not trying to define ourselves as a retro copy of those sounds but we like that warmth and authenticity. The nineties came back to that sound and amplified it. I was always into songwriters. I love stories told in music, unusual stories. I collected a lot of vinyl when I was in my late teens and early twenties. Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Janis Ian, The Band, Sandy Denny, then the 90s and 00s indie rock music and the great female artists of that time…Bjoerk, Tori Amos , PJ Harvey, Fiona Apple….at the same time I was into Bluegrass and Americana….and discovered Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Gillian Welsh and the indie songwriter scene.
We started out rather quiet in a band named after me “K.C. McKanzie”, folkie, bluegrass influenced songs. Me on banjo and acoustic guitar, Budi on double bass. After a break I started writing on an electric guitar an talked Budi into picking up the drums again, his actual first instrument.
What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?
Music saved me on many levels. I grew up in a family with almost no music around, my childhood was a bit difficult…
Music and writing didn’t only provide comfort, but a way of dealing and expressing myself, also it educated me and taught me to listen to my instincts.
Releasing our music is a great way of connecting with people, entertaining them or moving them. I guess I would like to give others what music gave me. Then there’s the incredible fun of playing live. It’s so rewarding and I get high on that feeling every time…
Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?
I used to listen to a lot of songwriters, stretching from Blind Willie McTell to Bjoerk. Everything that had a personal percpective interested me. Then I dove into Bluegrass, field recordings, traditionals. I was fascinated by stories passed on and changed over generations. I was fascinated with the world “back then”, stories my grandmother told me. The ongoing human drama. The ever tragic great lovestories. The outsiders perspective. The broken expectations of almost every woman in the last century. Budi likes a lot of Jazz and plays it in the car when we tour. I really enjoy that now, he has a great taste in music and likes humourous old time music. My tastes haven’t changed that much over the years but i guess I enjoy modern music more since I moved to the UK. I moved on from listening to reading a bit more, i am quite the bookworm these days.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
We were trying to serve the song, give it what it needs to thrive. I know that sounds very hippie, but the recording process can be overshadowed by principles. I tried to only listen to my instincts and have a lot of fun. Also we had the great pleasure and privilege to record with Jimmy Hogarth who encouraged my guitar playing a lot and understands and picks up on a lot of ideas.
What was the last song you listened to?
“Is this it” by The Strokes
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I’d love to extend my vinyl collection but I find myself listening to music more and more when I am out of the house and going places, so I guess I prefer MP3 ( or better streaming) but really appreciate vinyl. Budi definitly prefers and buys a lot of vinyl.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
mh…I prefer Spotify as I can get almost anything I want to listen to. Bandcamp is more charming in terms of finding and listening to indie acts.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?
I grew up in this, musically, and can’t complain. I guess a lot of us (bands and artists) wouldn’t exist without the internet as we can be our own bosses and don’t need the approval of some big boss label. I can record, produce and release what ever I want. It’s great! The hardest part is finding good shows as they provide the right setting to present your music.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?
We do all the social medias and have a website. You can find us on Spotify, Soundcloud and Youtube….basically everywhere.
If you wanna know what we are up to then follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?
Thank you very much for the interview 🙂
