I Know Leopard

Sydney’s own I Know Leopard have ventured even deeper down their own unique path with the impending debut record. Ahead of the records release and their special sneak peak live performance next week City Hub sat down with frontman Luke O’Louglin to discuss the influences and recording process behind the record.

Since coming together the group has cemented themselves as a unique beacon on the Australian musical landscape thanks to their 1970s soft rock inspired sound. Landmine which is the groups newest single, and the first glimpse at the upcoming debut album, dives even further into these influences.

It may seem strange for a band to suddenly ramp up influences from an already niche genre before their debut record but Luke O’Loughlin explained that there was method to the madness.

“We felt like we’d been making the same music for a while and were growing restless of that style. Then we realised our first album doesn’t need to sound exactly like all of the other stuff, because it’s going to sound like us anyway since we’re all still making the music, so why not make a statement with it instead.”

And make a statement it has, even if it was somewhat divisive.

“Some people have really loved it and others, who were fans of our older stuff, are taking a little longer to embrace it,” said O’Loughlin. “Once people hear the rest of the album though Landmine will make a lot more sense because there is definitely a sonic theme running through the record.”

This sonic theme was embellished with the help of producer and sound engineer Jack Moffitt. As part of his role working with I Know Leopard Moffitt was responsible for pushing the band to be “bold” and go beyond their previously held personal boundaries.

“Jack really made our sonic dreams a reality… he was all about being bold with this record which in turn became our mission statement,” recalled O’Loughlin. “Having Jack push us out of our comfort zone resulted in a record which has way more character than anything we’ve done before.”

Oct 25. Leadbelly, 42 King St, Newtown. $17.85+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.theleadbelly.com.au