London-based rock duo, Leontas, is compromised of guitarist Alex Munteanu and drummer, Scott Collier, deciding to pursue their enjoyment of music and playing instruments together after meeting at a separate band audition. Needless to say, they decided to scrap their attempt to pursue joining the band and decided to create music of their own, and we’re glad they did. They make music that’s expressive and reminiscent of throwback rock ‘n’ roll. While Scott plays the drums and provides vocals, Alex also does vocals, and plays guitar, combining three amps to pursue his desired sound.
The duo released their debut EP, With Love, in December 2016, and in 2017 released their double single, Stand Out, recorded live. Their next single, “Rhythm + Blues,” was released in July 2018, garnering national attention in publications and on international radio. Their latest single, “Black Magic,” released on June 19, with accompanying video, is an impressive achievement written, produced, and filmed during lockdown. There’s also more music to come from the duo later in the year.
We chatted with Alex and Scott about their beginning, influences, their writing and recording process in quarantine, their instruments, what’s next, and their fun music and entertainment favorites.
What drew you two together to create music?
Alexandros Munteanu: Hi, to begin with, thank you for having us. This is a real honour for us. Everything started in 2015 when we went to audition for a separate band at Creation Studios in Camden Town (London).
We didn’t quite blend with the band; however, Scott and I had an instant “Chemistry” that was just amazing to watch. “As if we already knew what the other is going to play next”
So, after the audition we went for a beer and the rest is history.
Did each of you grow up being musical?
Scott Collier: Music has always been in my family from a young age – my Grandad played drums for over 30 years, my mum has dabbled with amateur dramatics and played in a brass band when she was younger, my dad is a keen trombonist and both my brother and sister work in the West End either on stage or managing behind the scenes.
Safe to say music was a keep part of my life growing up! – the first instrument I picked up was the trumpet aged 10 but gave this up after a couple of years as, honestly, the teacher was a real cranky old man and I didn’t like the pressure he’d put on me week after week.
After that I really wanted to play drums, so my dad’s friend started to teach me and 15 years later I’m still playing! I’ve been in a whole load of bands and groups since then, getting the hang of how the drums work in jazz, big band, swing, punk (my angsty teen years) and most recently in our blues-rock set up
What is your writing and recording process?
Alex: It really varies from song to song… It usually starts with just an idea that either me or Scott will have,
then we bring it to the studio and we both start building on it together. I’d say the key part of our writing process is a lot of experimenting and trying new things.
When it comes to recording…
we used to do it the “Old School” way…
Walk into the studio, plug and record LIVE… without a metronome… and… well as many songs as possible in one session.
With the last few projects though things have changed drastically.
Our new single “Black Magic” is the fruit of a more elaborate and detailed approach that I believe we really enjoy and seems to work quite well.
Listen to “Black Magic”:
For your latest single, “Black Magic,” you guys wrote and recorded during lockdown with the COVID-19 pandemic. How did you guys overcome any obstacles to write, produce and release it?
Scott: The biggest obstacle was not being able to be physically in the same space the entire time. As a band we practice at least once a week, so going from that to absolutely nothing was the biggest challenge.
We kicked off “Black Magic” around the theme of the song and I happened to hear the Laska exert we used in the final track and it all came together from there. Alex was able to write the guitar parts and would call me to talk it through and we slowly pieced the song together.
Once we had something, we were happy with, we had to get his mastered and mixed by someone who could help whilst we were all in isolation – this is where the amazing Vasilis Gouvatsos (Q Mixing & Mastering Studio) came into help. Whilst working in isolation in his studio in Greece he was able to shift the song into an even higher gear and polishing the sound we really wanted.
We also wanted to create a video for the launch, and luckily, we are friends with the amazing artist Yana Popova. She came on board with the project and we really wanted her touch on the artwork and design, she came back with an amazing storyboard and cracked on creating lyric video we now have.
The whole project was an isolated team effort and really showed that Covid can’t slow us down!
Watch the official video for “Black Magic”:
Alex, you use three amps to create your sound. Why three amps? Which guitarists have influenced you the most?
Alex: Well this was a very gradual build that started with just one guitar amp and a few guitar pedals.
It expanded to:
Two guitar amps, one bass amp, and a multitude of pedals that I use simultaneously when we play live.
The main reason why this happened was because we’ve been chasing a big fat sound that a bigger, four, or even five-piece band would normally produce.
So, the idea is that each one of my amps is like a different member of a band.
Bassist, Rhythm guitarist, Lead. You’ve got to remember that I can switch in and out any of those at any given moment. So, the final result is quite amazing.
The top three guitarists that really shaped me as a musician are: Slash, Joe Perry, and Zakk Wylde. I grew up watching and playing their songs and solos on repeat.
Later on, I went into more classic:
Keith Richards and Jimmy Page made me rethink many things!!!
And eventually, I discovered Jack White. That was when I realized that you could do so much more with just a guitar.
Scott, what influenced you to play the drums? Which drummers do you admire the most?
Scott: My first inspiration has to be my Grandad from an early age, although he was playing in local brass band, I loved watching him play and how the drums were so integral to the sound of the whole band.
Once I started playing, I began searching from Drummers I truly inspired. Chad Smith, Dave Grohl, and Taylor Hawkins were my biggest influences at a younger age – watching their passion for the kit made me practice harder and constantly trying to find the groove and feel behind music.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve looked back at the more classic rock drummers – John Bonham, Keith Moon, and Charlie Watts – and I’m inspired by the technical and effortless feel they all have.
Recently, I’ve been really enjoying Darren King from Mutemath, Yussef Dayes, and Aric Improta – all technically impressive drummers and guys who turn the drumkit almost into a lyrical instrument and pushing the idea of just having to make a beat on a track.
You all have already released your debut EP, ‘With Love,’ in 2016, and a few singles since. Do you guys plan to release another EP/album soon?
Alex: Yes, absolutely!! We have been working on a lot of new material that we cannot wait to share with everyone. Unfortunately, the Pandemic happened so we had to change some of our scheduled plans. However, we’re super grateful because we still managed to produce and release “Black Magic”. There is one more single that will follow in late September. Towards the end of the year, we will be releasing an acoustic EP. And early next year will see our new EP with some new and very exciting sounds.
What’s next for the remainder of 2020?
Scott: We are continuing to spread the word of ‘Black Magic’ and hoping to get more people to enjoy this updated sound!
We then hopefully can start gigging again when we are allowed to – playing gigs is the real highlight for both of us so we are really missing the stage at the moment.
As lockdown slowly gets better, we are also working on some acoustic tracks and new music in the background. We have another single coming later on in the year – but we can’t talk a lot about that right now….
Fun Questions
Who was your first concert, and do you have a favourite so far?
Scott: Growing up in Norwich we were lucky to have quite a good music scene, with lots of big bands touring and playing at the local University – luckily I lived about 5 minutes away from it so was there quite a lot to see the touring bands. I think the first band I ever saw there was Wolfmother on their first UK tour. It was me a group of my spotty teenage friends and a load of fat bikers – but we had the best night. The band were insane live and so loud I think I had ringing in my ears for the next two days.
Favourite one we both went to was Jack White at the Hammersmith Apollo a couple of years ago. We both love Mr. White’s music and that gig was by far one of the best we had been to in a while. The sound was amazing, and we were totally in awe of his swagger and relaxed attitude on stage.
What was your first album on cassette, CD and/or vinyl?
Alex: My first ever purchase was Appetite For Destruction by Guns n Roses.. because I fell in love with the artwork.
Funnily enough, I played the entire album once and I hated it. I was so annoyed by the fact that I “wasted” the money that I decided to play it again… and again… and many many more times to come. Needless to say, it became one of my favourite albums ever.
Which five artists and/or albums would you not want to live without?
Scott:
Queens Of The Stone Age – Songs for the Deaf (I bought this for No One Knows but the entire album in amazing from begging to end)
Oddisee – Beneath the Surface (Live) (I’m a big Oddisee fan and this has to be one of the best live albums I’ve ever heard – the band are amazing)
Rival Sons – Feral Roots (Alex introduced me to Rival Sons and I love the whole tone of this album)
Mutemath – Odd Soul
Jack Garrett – Phase (one guy playing about 5 instruments – say no more!)
How have you guys been keeping up your creativity during the pandemic?
Alex: From this aspect, it has been an absolute blessing!! We managed to write a lot of material, finish songs that were sitting for a long time… and just get more creative and inventive than ever.
Do you have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure?
Scott: I’m a secret Dua Lipa fan – I really think her music is underrated and pretty funky – I’ve never seen her live (not gone that far yet) but just think her recent album has some great tunes!
Entertainment wise – I’ll happily watch glass blowing and woodturning videos on YouTube for hours – I really love watching artists at work and making something out of nothing.
What are you currently listening to, reading, and/or watching?
Alex: I’m listening to a lot of myself…since we’re constantly writing or mixing something new.
I’m reading 1984 by George Orwell. And watching a lot of YouTube videos related to cars and guitars.
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