While writing the Leadbetter Band’s latest album, Eric Leadbetter was experiencing something of a rebirth. New songs poured out in a creative surge, band dynamics were exhilarating, and he was savoring being out of the grip of alcohol. Aptly, the hard rockin’ trio’s new album is titled Spell, as in “free from your spell,” a lyric from the album’s rousing and revealing soul ballad, “The Hard Way.” It’s a song about being a better version of yourself, and that spirit flows through the masterful 11-song collection.
Leadbetter is a seasoned music biz vet who, to date, has released 11 albums in 25 years. He’s a shamanistic hard rock poet, penning earned-wisdom songs rooted in rock n’ roll, blues, and soul, and beyond. As a vocalist, he moves effortlessly from a whisper to a wail—capable of stirring you into action or lulling you into serenity.
The Leadbetter Band formed in 2017 following the breakup of Leadbetter’s former group, Jive Coulis. The trio explores the sweet spot between hard rock and jam-band experimentation. Spell marks the band’s fourth album—and the second featuring multi-talented bassist/vocalist/songwriter Aaron Moore and Swiss Army Knife drummer Kaleb Kelleher. The band actively tours the Pacific Northwest and has shared the stage with heavyweights such as ZZ Top, Blues Traveler, and Gov’t Mule.
Spell represents the Leadbetter Band 2.0 in its finest form. The album is the trio’s most diverse, swaggering through brawny blues-rock, trippy Pink Floyd-like psychedelia, dexterous jam band improvisation, soul, funk, blues, a sun splash of reggae, and impassioned grunge. The album recalls when bands like Led Zeppelin, the Allman Brothers Band, and the Rolling Stones roamed the earth and made wildly eclectic albums while maintaining a core band identity.
The album also features a couple of firsts for the Leadbetter Band. Spell includes the band’s first co-writes. Horns make their debut in the Leadbetter sound, arranged by former Jive Coulis drummer Collin Braley. The horn section includes Moore on trombone, Jim Goodwin on sax, and Tucker Heintz on trumpet. Braley also contributed Hammond B3 organ, with Jarrod Donetelli adding percussion.
Today, Glide is offering an exclusive premiere of the album’s lead single “Sky to the Ground,” which is one of those rare tunes that is funky but hard rockin’, recalling 1970s hitmakers like Grand Funk Railroad and the Edgar Winter Group. The verses have a slinky feel that yields to a fist-pumping rock n’ roll chorus. “Sky to the Ground” is an unflinchingly optimistic song. It also feels like a proper jam vehicle with its vibrant and soulful grooves, funky undertones, and big rock sound that is exhuberant and danceable. The song was written while Leadbetter was out on the road driving between shows. He was bubbling over with energy and ideas—inspired by the group’s new rhythm section—when he found him stomping out the song’s groove, and humming the vocal melody while driving. When he pulled over, he wrote the song in the back of the van in a 20-minute creative download.
Eric Leadbetter describes the inspiration behind the tune:
“Sky to the Ground” was a really fun evolution of a groove. It all started when I was on a solo tour in eastern Washington area. I was driving to a gig doing a vocal warm up and discovered the groove to the song. I then slowly started coming up with lyrics to a melody around the groove and when I got to my gig, immediately grabbed my guitar and found what chords went to the groove and melody that was spilling out of my brain.” It didn’t take long until it took shape into the song it is today.
The song really represents hope in dark times, and taking what life gives you and to try your best to stay positive. Moods and energies are contagious, so my hope with this song is to inspire others to spread their positive light. “Pull the sky to the ground like glass on your fingers” is all about reaching for the warmth of the sun and the beauty of the sky, but bringing it to earth with the utmost care as to preserve it like the gifts they are.
LISTEN:
One Response
Great write up. Awesome song. Love these guys!!