Me, Rick Chudacoff (producer), Greg Panciera (engineer), Christian Cullen (co-producer/bassist), Michael Caskey (drummer).

I started my new record, y’all.  The gears are in motion. 

Left to right : me, Greg Panciera (engineer at Waterdog Records), Christian Cullen (co-producer/bassist), Michael Caskey (drummer) and Rick Chudacoff (producer).

I could not be more excited with how it is shaping up.  The foundation has been laid, and now we get to construct the textures and hone the parts.  I wish I could always be making records.  (sigh.)  I will keep you updated from time to time!  In the meantime, keep your eyes/ears open for when I launch my Kickstarter Campaign! 

It really does take a village.

xoxo - Leslie

(photo by Allison Williams)

(photo by Allison Williams)

I’m playing an entire set of (essentially) all new songs at Martyrs’ on Nov. 22.  It’ll be the first time I’ve hit a Chicago stage as a solo artist (+ band) since January, 2010.  That’s almost two years.  I AM SO EXCITED.  Mandy and the Bandits are also playing (LOVE them) as well as Laura Grill.  We all went to music school together!  Aw.  grin

In other newwws…  I’m making another record!  I started writing on the guitar and it has really effected my songwriting, and I’m super excited about the direction that my music is taking.  Things are in motion, the gears are turning, the details are being ironed out, the approach is being mapped, and I will keep you 100% posted in any way that I can. 

District 97 is also making a new record, and it’s sounding SO unbelievably good so far…  I cannot wait to get in there and start singing!!!  We have a show in Louisville, KY on Nov. 18.  Check out the shows page for details.

That’s all for now.
Thanks for reading this blog.
-Leslie

June 30th, 2011 - the guys from D97 play my original music for a free outdoor show in St. Charles, IL.

A last minute, do-not-miss show has been added to my life!  Graham Czach (singer/songwriter/mulit-instrumentalist) asked me earlier this evening if I could do a solo show with him at Uncommon Ground on Friday, June 29th, and I was like, “Pfff…  Um, YEAH!!!”  I love that place…  Always have.  They cater so awesomely to songwriters and intimate music, and the food/drink they’ve got going on is pretty out of this world.  It sounds great in there as well!  It’s got everything going for it.  Check out my “shows” page for more details.

Also, the party band I’ve been in for three years is playing a FREE, ALL AGES show in Evanston on August 2nd, right by the water…  It’s gonna be gorgeous, y’all.  First public gig since I’ve been with ‘em!  I love the band…  I hope people can come check us out, ‘cause this is pretty out of the ordinary stuff. 

Lastly, District 97 is doing another mini east coast tour, so please check out my “shows” page for all the dates!  We might be coming to your town!!! 

That’s all. 
More love than like.
Leslie.

These past seven days went by surprisingly fast. I can’t believe we just played seven shows in a row and I’m still raring to go. We ended up so tight by the time RoSfest came around, and so energized by the experience of meeting so many fantastic people, that I can actually say that today’s performance might have been THE highlight of my life in this band, and maybe even of my life as a singer. The sound was insane, the theater was gorgeous, the people were jamming out in their seats and standing after songs… I’m still mentally pinching myself.