About a week ago, Spanish singer, songwriter, and composer, Leiva, released his latest single "Nuclear" off of his new album, "Nuclear". Although he has been playing since the nineties, Leiva embarked on a solo journey in 2012 and has received several recognitions ever since including the Rolling Stone Award (Spain) for best album of the year. Now 2019, "Nuclear" just demonstrates the powerhouse that Leiva continues to be.

"Nuclear", a single revolving around a "nuclear" kind of love, whose metaphor continues throughout the song with circus visuals. The great thing about that juxtaposition is that it gives the songs two perspectives, whether done on purpose or not. From the beginning, the song starts on a strong note and it slowly progresses until it reached the full body of the song almost peaking in a Beatle-esque sound. Along side the great melody, are great lyrics.

"Dame un instant para pensar
Lo que soñamos ahora da igual
Abandonaste como las águilas
La zona nuclear"

Translated that says:

"Give me a moment to think
what we used to dream of is now whatever
leaving like eagles,
the nuclear zone"

It really is a song that can be interpreted in ways of a bittersweet kind of love. Leiva always delivers when it comes to sounds and topics like this. I urge everyone to check out the single below! 

Album out now!

One night in the mystical Helinski, Finald, this duo met at a bar and they quickly realized that they were a musical pairing meant to be. Lone Deer Laredo is made up of Paola Suhonen and Olli Happopen. Paola has her own line of  Finnish fashion line, Ivana Helsinki, and Olli has another band called "New Silver Girl", and yet life brought these two together to make this wonderful new project known as "Vol. 1/7". This wonderful album was recorded in Nashville, Tenessee at Alex the Great Studios with the help of a very talented team consisting of Brad Jones, Jim Hoke, and Chris Carmichael who have worked with artists like Dolly Parton and Paul McCartney amongst others. 

I recently got to ask the band a few questions and this is what they had to say:

Desert of My Eye (pao):  First of all, how has 2019 been so far? Looking forward to the summer? 

Lone Deer Laredo: It has been very good to us, thank you! We’re very much looking forward to summer since we’re heading for a roadtrip to compose new music.

D.O.M.E: I read that you guys met at a bar in Helinski and automatically clicked. How was that initial moment and at what exact moment did you guys realize this project HAD to take place? 

L.D.L: It actually happened immediately during the afterparty when Paola was singing to Olli the song called Why Do I Need the Winds (it is on the debut also)... Lone Deer Laredo was born.

D.O.M.E: Do you think that being from Helinksi reflects on your work?

L.D.L: Yeah, I guess it brings in some Finnish and Slavic melancholy. Helsinki is a place where West meets East in harmony, so it is a kind of mixture of dark, odd and endless summer light.

D.O.M.E: How was recording the album in Nashville? Why did you guys decide to record there specifically? That must have been fun. 

LD.L: We heard about the great Brad Jones the producer via a friend and we immediately thought he could be the right producer for us. And it turned out to be a magical time at his studio in Nashville. Such a fantastic person!

D.O.M.E: What inspired Vol. 1/7? Why do you think "dark magic forests"  are so appealing? I see it was one of the ideas/inspirations behind the album. 

L.D.L: We love old trees and the whole mystery behind them. They are endless inspiration for the stories in the songs too since they’ve seen it all: first kisses, love affairs, nightless nights, love and death, everything... all the fundamental elements for Lone Deer Laredo.

D.O.M.E: I loved the video for "Golden Harvest". Simple, yet nostalgic

L.D.L: Thank you so much!

D.O.M.E: How does the video reflect the song? Is it based on an idea or a sentiment?

L.D.L: It is more about sentiment definitely. We rarely prefer strict storytelling in the videos, since it might kill all the poetry from the video. 

D.O.M.E: Anything else you would like to add?

L.D.L: Peace! 


Lone Deer Laredo's new album track list
( Vol. 1/7):
1.Golden Harvest
2. Why Do I Need The Winds
3. Queen Of Revenge
4. True Light Of Mine
5. Mad Marie
6. Stars Stars Lights And Paradise
7. Silver World
8. Make The Sea Freeze In June
9. Summer Of Silk


For more information check out the link below:
​www.ivanahelsinki.com/lone-deer-laredoabout

Sunday night was a swirl of emotions and a medley of different sounds from the Western Hemisphere. Canadian band, July Talk, started the evening on a "rocking beat" and then Zoé brought the Spanish psychedelic indie-rock alongside cool and "trippy" visuals that got the crowd ready for Metric. It was such a great transition of music. Who knew these three bands would be so complementary to each other.

Metric, a Canadian indie-rock band, for those that don't know, began in 1998. About nineteen years and several albums later, Metric still remains one of the most iconic bands of the 2000s. Their latest album,  "Art of Doubt" is a reflection of the band's maturity and skill range. However, the best part of any Metric's music is that it draws in people of all ages and it was clear from the crowd that this vibe was present at the concert.

The stage had several light beams going across. Simple, yet perfectly placed so that there is still a clear view of all the band members and instruments. The drum kit in clear view displayed: "Is This Dystopia". The crowd began to get antsy and finally a little past 9:30, the lights dimmed and one by one the members of Metric came out immediately starting with the song, "Love you back", which happens to be the second song of their latest album. Right off the bat, lead singer, Emily Haines, while in a wide-spread stance in front of the microphone, sang the first few lyrics which immediately commanded the attention of the crowd. Her voice is both strong and soothing at the same time. She does it so effortlessly at the same time. It's truly thrilling! Not only that, but James Shaw, guitarist, is also such a force on stage. It's hard to keep your eyes on just one band member over the other because of the chemistry, stage energy, and talent that they all have.

Right after the first song ended, "Synthetica" began and Emily started jogging from one side of the stage to the other. Not once did the energy go down throughout the show, which is why it's great that Metric has the lights behind them and no distracting visuals because it is not needed. After a few back to back songs, Emily spoke about her meaning regarding the song "Breathing Underwater" in which she sings "Is this my life?". She addressed that the song had a bittersweet undertone to it all while inspiring the audience of some introspection on life.

As the night progressed, songs like "Art of Doubt", "Sick Muse", "Now Or Never Now" were played alongside hits like "Black Sheep" and "Help I'm Alive". The show was absolutely fantastic! Everything sounded amazing and it was honestly such a great venue; the atmosphere was perfect. While the front half of the crowd was up against the rail in front of the stage, the other half in the back was dancing and jamming out. It felt intimate. I recommend that anyone that has the opportunity to go catch a show during this tour to do so. It's a great musical journey. 


Upcoming show dates:
3/11 – Riverside, CA @ Riverside Municipal Auditorium
3/13  San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic
3/15 Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
3/16 Seattle, WA @ The Moore
3/18 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
3/20 Denver, CO @ The Fillmore
3/21 Kansas City, MO @ The Truman
3/22 Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom
​3/23 Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room
3/25 Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore

www.ilovemetric.com