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Some have compared Leisen’s work to the artful poetic qualities of Patti Smith’s delivery; others, the dream pop glory of Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval, or the bruised soul of Chan Marshall. But Leisen’s affecting voice is sumptuous, yet compelling -the sound of a girl constantly in a state of almost collapsing off a note, but somehow retaining a clear-eyed poise to tell the tale. -God is in the TV - God is in the TV
Kathy Leisen’s languorous croon, not unlike Steve Nicks or Chan Marshall. –Absolute Punk - Absolute Punk
Kathy Leisen’s vocal is a killer; chiseled and strung out; her tones are sheer temptation, a spiritual step-daughter of the late Mia Zapata. –Drowned in Sound - Drowned in Sound
Explores the contrasting elements of distance and intimacy between both instruments and people; a whimsical and faceted debut, Leisen’s vocals wave like silk over the parley of her guitar. Brooding bass, undulating drops of drums, synthesizer and piano round out the moon-lit aesthetic. –All Music Guide - All Music Guide
Too good to miss, total out-of-nowhere surprise; Beautiful light pop-psych from this Detroit outfit, fronted by Kathy Leisen. Her voice is a major attraction here, understanding the nuances that helped vocalists like Elisabeth Fraser and Sinead O’Connor blend so well into the music . . . to the center of the heart; warm, gentle, non-combative yet stimulating motions of late night ghost trail songs. Think Dadamah, Happy Nightmare Baby, perhaps early Sugarcubes or Unrest circa Imperial FFRR. –Dusted Magazine - Dusted Magazine
Discography
Diamonds and Gems LP--2005 (Senseless Empire)
Emotional Perfection EP--2006 (independent)
With The Top Down single--2013 (SLM)
Fools LP--2013 (Senseless Empire/Physical Things)
Funny Ways LP--coming Fall 2013
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Bio
This is U.S. Detroit and New York based band Soft Location, currently out with our new album "Fools" on Senseless Empire/Physical Things, and with our third album "Funny Ways" currently being mixed by Warn Defever of His Name is Alive, and arriving in Fall 2013.
“Fools” is the second album by Soft Location following the now cult classic “Diamonds & Gems” and features songwriter Kathy Leisen whose vocals are found on Lee Ranaldo’s "Between the Times and the Tides." The album was mixed by Tall Firs' Aaron Mullan (Sonic Youth live engineer, Hallogallo 2010-Neu! bassist) and Warn Defever (His Name is Alive).
After forming Soft Location and releasing "Diamonds and Gems," Leisen and bassist Matthew Kantor founded Glass Rock in 2009, signing to Thurston Moore's Ecstatic Peace! label. Glass Rock toured the U.K. playing with Sonic Youth, Lightning Bolt, and Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks. Glass Rock's debut received 4 stars in Uncut with a follow-up that received 8/10 in NME who deemed it a “minor masterpiece.”
After Glass Rock's second LP, Leisen and Kantor reformed Soft Location with original members Chris Morris and Ben Good to record "Fools." The band celebrated the reunion with shows in Detroit and New York, playing with Rain Machine and Slowdance. The band looks to keep celebrating.
On Debut "Diamonds & Gems":
Too good to miss, total out-of-nowhere surprise; Beautiful light pop-psych from this Detroit outfit, fronted by Kathy Leisen. Her voice is a major attraction here, understanding the nuances that helped vocalists like Elisabeth Fraser and Sinead O’Connor blend so well into the music . . . to the center of the heart; warm, gentle, non-combative yet stimulating motions of late night ghost trail songs. Think Dadamah, Happy Nightmare Baby, perhaps early Sugarcubes or Unrest circa Imperial FFRR. –Dusted Magazine
Explores the contrasting elements of distance and intimacy between both instruments and people; a whimsical and faceted debut, Leisen’s vocals wave like silk over the parley of her guitar. Brooding bass, undulating drops of drums, synthesizer and piano round out the moon-lit aesthetic. –All Music Guide
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On Kathy Leisen and Soft Location:
Kathy Leisen’s vocal is a killer; chiseled and strung out; her tones are sheer temptation, a spiritual step-daughter of the late Mia Zapata. –Drowned in Sound
Kathy Leisen’s languorous croon, not unlike Steve Nicks or Chan Marshall. –Absolute Punk
Some have compared Leisen’s work to the artful poetic qualities of Patti Smith’s delivery; others, the dream pop glory of Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval, or the bruised soul of Chan Marshall. But Leisen’s affecting voice is sumptuous, yet compelling -the sound of a girl constantly in a state of almost collapsing off a note, but somehow retaining a clear-eyed poise to tell the tale. –God is in The TV
Their first record felt like the perfect combination of discovery and experience. Like your first time, if only you knew what you were doing. This one feels the same—only now I know what I was missing. –Dave Mies, Tall Firs
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This is Soft Location. Thank you for your time and we hope to hear from you.
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