When I first moved to NC in April of 2006 I listened a lot to a band called The Album Leaf. I wrote the brains behind the band, Jimmy Lavalle, about using his music for some podcasts I was doing related to the Appalachian Trail, and he gave me permission. Besides their music and generosity, what I also liked about the band, was their logo. Appropriately it is a leaf, as you can see on Jimmy in the above image. For me it encompassed the move to NC and becoming more in touch with nature in western NC. Just before I left NC, to head back to FL, I commemorated my time in the mountains with a tattoo of their logo.
One of the perks of this tattoo is you get into their shows for free.
I wrote Jimmy and he put me on the band list and on Saturday, May 8th I saw The Album Leaf at the Social in Orlando, FL. I didn’t know what to expect. Most of their music is instrumental. In concert, at least for me, I wasn’t sure how this would pan out since I really haven’t seen just an instrumental band before. I was pleasantly surprised because the Album Leaf designed a show for nearly all the senses.
Most of their music uses pre programed drum tracks, with live drums. Since the band then must play to a click track, they are able to add video projections behind them that sync perfectly with the music. During one of the songs where there was vocals, the animation had the lyrics in sync with their singing. Between the band and the video you really couldn’t take you eyes off the stage.
Great show all around! Be sure to check them out.
The Album Leaf “Always For You” from Sub Pop Records on Vimeo.
