Steve Leigh is the talented keyboardist and composer for the British band- Landmarq.
Please explain your background. What made you choose keyboards (over guitar, drums, etc.) Did you have any formal training? What types and brands of keyboards do you play? And do you customize anything on them?
I was born in Bethnal Green, East London attending local schools. There were no musical outlets (except for the recorder!) at my first school but I always wanted to learn to play an instrument and a local tutor used to come to our home at an affordable price. My mum and Dad managed to purchase an old upright piano when I was 6 and from then on I studied classical music up until the age of 14. At 11, I took up the clarinet but I couldn't afford to do both and so I only did this for a couple of years.
I've had various keyboards over the years In the early days I used Memorymoog, Mellotron, Solina,, Crumar and Korg keyboards but eventually I decided that rack mount modules were really useful (initially Kawai and EMU) with a dedicated mother keyboard (I still use an Elka mother) along with a Yamaha piano. The rack modules I currently use are the EMU Classic keys, the Emu Prophet 2 and the Roland D550. For the main piano work I use a Roland FP1 and have a nice lead synth in the Yamaha CS1X. All light, cheap and cheerful but give a professional setup with the minimum of fuss. Having said that, I'm looking to replace my setup shortly as they have all been around the block (and world) over the last few years and could do with a well-deserved rest!
As for customisation (apart from painting my Solina white once!), the sounds on rack-mounts reduce the need for this apart from mixing the combinations and today's keys lend themselves well to creating "your own" sounds.
If you could explain the music of Landmarq in a few sentences, what would it be?
I would say it was good quality rock music, original, distinctive, at times fun yet passionate and sincere in its approach.
What performers influenced your musicality? What is was your favorite band/performer of all time?
This is always a difficult one to answer. I like music in general Motown/Soul, through to all kinds of genres of rock so I suppose there's a little bit of all of this in my music somewhere. I have no favourite band/performers of all time but I've always been a great admirer of many artists. So if one was to strike up a conversation regarding a particular artist I would probably have something to say about him/her/them.
One of my favorite Landmarq songs is Ta` Jiang, what inspired you to create the song? How did you go about the compositional process for a 16 plus minute song?
I wrote the music for Ta' Jiang in about an hour. I just had a moment of inspiration one evening. A couple of years before, I read an account of someone who had travelled the length of this river and suddenly, I could see it as if I was there myself. The words seemed to follow as the music developed and Ta' Jiang was born.
When Tracy Hitchings joined Landmarq, besides the voice, what did she bring to the group. What changed within the band?
It was very difficult to find someone with the same enthusiasm as Damian and Tracy appeared to be the only person who had the same passion for the music. She is an able lyricist and has contributed to some of the musical content. I think, however, she is more mainstream and this will obviously have an influence on Landmarq in the future. I think this is apparent on the last album (S.O.C.) where, although I think it is still "Landmarq" , it has a different flavour to the previous albums.
If you were stranded on a desert island (With a CD player and batteries), and you could have any ten albums, what would you choose and why?
Now maybe I could have answered Question 3!
"Better Late" Happy The Man This is a beautiful album.
"Heavy Horses" Jethro Tull - I really like this album.
"Close To The Edge" Yes I just love the groove on this album.
A copy of "Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony" This has everything from highs to lows.
"A Trick Of The Tail" Genesis. I love their pre 80's albums but I've always had a soft spot for Robbery, Assault and Battery.
"Please Don't touch" Steve Hackett I like all his early albums but this has got Randy Crawford on it.
"Greatest Hits 2" Queen - (Freddie Mercury is one of my favourite song writers Queen have produced some excellent albums so I wouldn't be able to choose so I'll take this one. I'd have liked to have taken one of their early albums but then I'd begin to hanker for "Who Wants to Live Forever" and "I'm Going Slightly Mad"!).
"Divine Madness" Madness This has all their good songs on it and really cheers me up.
"Motown Collection" Some Motown for the beach party I'd hold for myself on a Saturday night.
"So" Peter Gabriel Again, this covers the good ones although I could be tempted to go for PG4.
What do you think of today's popular music (rap, garage bands, etc.)? Any favorites?
Some of the more "modern" stuff is OK. I dislike all that arm-waving and hateful crap though! I actually enjoy some of the club stuff it can give you a real buzz I can identify with some of it, because in the early 80's I penned a few "clubby" numbers but was told the world wasn't ready for it! I have no actual favourites in this genre of music though.
What is your favorite Landmarq song? Why?
I guess I'm with you on this one. Ta' Jiang. Why? Because I think it is such a descriptive piece of music that even without the lyrics you would probably end up being taken to the place that was in my head at the time of writing.
Do you have any inside or outside pressure to venture into more commercial territory or to write single-oriented material?
Personally, No. I've written other music because I have an idea or a moment of inspiration that lends itself outside of the Landmarq style or someone asks me to!
What is your favorite book? Movie?
Another tough one. Favourite movies include One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Brazil, Life Of Brian, The Deerhunter, Noises Off to name a few. Favourite books. I don't get to read many books nowadays. For some reason time seems to be harder to find the older you get. I'm currently wading my way through "Wild Swans" ( Three Daughters of China) there couldbe asong in there somewhere..!. Generally, I like comedy (e.g. Douglas Adams, Ben Elton etc.)
What are you most proud of in your years with Landmarq?
The music Its quality and consistency.
Is music a full-time job? Do you work outside the group? Any interesting hobbies? Interests?
Over the years, I've made more money working in computers than I ever have in music. So, although having been professionally engaged (cabaret, teaching, etc.) in music, a large part of my life has been spent programming. I'm currently working in computers but if the right opportunity comes up I'll go back into music full-time. The problem is, the market for Landmarq (although worldwide) is relatively small and without sufficient backing, just won't pay the mortgage! I want to tour the world at some time in my life playing as I go, but I need to build up a little capital first - plus I've got to wait for the kids to leave home!
My main interests are music. I'm a great football fan and play at least three times a week. I always try to get a game when I'm in other countries because it's a great bridge-builder- it's a universal language. The Turks and the Sri-Lankans definitely dish out the roughest tackles though!
I also enjoy Horse-Racing although I don't get to go as often as I used to.
Any advice to any young progressive bands just starting out?
Yes You'll be very popular if you "write-prog-music-to-order" but if your heart isn't in it you'll look back and kick yourself. I can look back on Landmarq's work and still enjoy listening to it knowing that it is timeless. When I die, my spirit will still be alive in our music because I truly believed in what I was doing.
The first few lines of "WORK" by D.H. Lawrence
There is no point in work
unless it absorbs you
like an absorbing game.
If it doesn't absorb you
if it's never any fun,
don't do it".
When a man goes out into his work
He is alive like a tree in spring,
He is living, not merely working.
If you had total control over Landmarq what would you like to do different? (ie- more recordings, tour more, different direction, etc.)?
If any one person had total control of Landmarq it would not be Landmarq. Everyone contributes because they want to. Landmarq are five different musicians who come together to do something they love.
I've heard that there is a new Landmarq studio album upcoming. Can you tell me anything about it? (Song titles? any long songs? direction of music?) Any surprises? Would you like to work with anyone in particular?
We are currently writing new material for another studio album which will be released in 2002 after the release of the second live album. The second live album really concludes the first era of Landmarq but whether that will be reflected in the new album who knows? There are some good songs for the next album. One of them we have been gigging recently- "Entertaining angels".
An open forum. Is there anything else that you'd like to communicate about?
Yes Thanks to everyone for their support. Best wishes, Steve Leigh.
Thank you so much for this interview. Can't wait to hear the new Landmarq album and the Thunderstruck sequel. Best Wishes, Lee.
Cheers, Steve.
