Leland Blue’s current tour includes a sentimental final show at The Pyramid Scheme this week before the indie-pop band embarks on new adventures in Nashville. The back story with tracks from a new EP.
Emotional Evening Ahead: Leland Blue plays its final GR show Wednesday before moving to Nashville. (Courtesy Photo)
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Roland TR-808 drums, synthesizers and groovy melodies — all part of the signature sound of Michigan’s Leland Blue, which has cultivated a devoted audience for its smoothly produced, “Good Time” dream pop.
Led by brothers Connor Robertson on drums and Ben Robertson on guitar, the band rounds things out with cousin Satchel Robertson on bass, and for the group’s current tour, Max Knoth from The Skinny Limbs on guitar.
“Early on, we had a few different cover bands together, but in high school I wrote ‘Sofia’ and showed it to Ben and Satchel which was kind of the official start to Leland Blue,” said Connor, who started playing with his brother and cousin at a young age.
In the past, Rockford keyboardist Bradley Sinclair — who’s now pursuing a solo career in Nashville — and guitarist Noah De Leon took on roles in the alt-pop band which has continued to write and record new music since releasing the 2020 EP, “Another Night.”
Periodically dropping singles such as “Good Time” and “VHS,” the band’s recent studio work has produced a third EP, “Dance With Me,” which officially was released in mid-July.
“Making this last EP was less of an intentional effort and more of us just writing a lot of demos during quarantine as a means for a creative outlet,” Ben said.
The group kicked off a Midwest tour on Aug. 10 with Lady Denim, an indie band from Colorado, with a stop Wednesday at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids (along with sets by The Skinny Limbs and Benjamin James Childs).
A BIG STEP: MOVING TO NASHVILLE AND SAYING FAREWELL TO GR
For the long-awaited Grand Rapids homecoming, fans can expect to hear all the songs from Lealand Blue’s new four-song EP, as well as some unreleased tunes.
“The EP is not over yet. You can expect two more songs and a demo version of ‘Dance With Me,’” Ben revealed.
The milestone EP and tour also signal a major shift for Leland Blue: Following in the footsteps of other Michigan artists, including Michigander and Patty Pershayla & The Mayaps, Leland Blue is relocating to Nashville.
‘A Really Special Show’: Leland Blue’s plan for Wednesday. (Courtesy Photo)
Despite humble beginnings in the basement of their parents’ Midland home and the years spent making a name for themselves in West Michigan’s music scene, members of the Grand Rapids staple — with a name that oozes Michigan pride — felt it was the right time for a change.
“It can be nerve-racking just playing shows outside of Michigan, so this move is definitely a big step, but we had the opportunity and wanted to give it a shot for ourselves,” Connor said.
Wednesday’s show, therefore, shapes up as a sentimental evening, representing fans’ last chance to catch Leland Blue perform before their departure for Tennessee.
“This is going to be a really special show for us since it’s kind of like our going away show and we aren’t sure when we’ll get to be back to perform in Michigan,” said Connor.
Added Ben: “Yeah, it will definitely be emotional because Grand Rapids has been such a supportive place for our band to grow.”
Doors open for Wednesday’s show at The Pyramid Scheme at 7 p.m. Tickets, $12 in advance, are available online here.
Listen to music from Leland Blue’s latest release, “Dance With Me,” here.
VIDEO: “VHS,” Leland Blue
Copyright 2022, Spins on Music LLC
