Unafraid and unapologetic when it comes to sharing raw emotion in his music, indie artist Richie Leone who fronts the music project LEONE is emerging from a long third album recording for a new live gig this week.
Thotyssey: Leone, hello! How is May treating you so far?
LEONE: May feels like a rebirth in many ways for me. I feel like the last couple of years I’ve been “cocooning” and really thinking about what this next chapter of music is going to look like for me.
During that stage or any previous chapter of your life, was it always “what should be next for me musically,” or was it ever “should I do other things instead?”
It’s always been “what’s next for me musically” since I could remember. I recently had this realization that, for me, music is quite literally me journaling and documenting my life. It’s the only thing that really keeps me grounded and honest with myself.
I really enjoy your sound, and I hear a lot of the artists I’ve admired over the years in your voice and arrangements: Freddie Mercury, Rufus Wainwright, Marc Bolan, Mika, Jeff Buckley… I also get a sort of Eastern / Indian vibe! Who were some of your actual musical influences?
Wow, ummm, I’m honored. Thank you! Oof, this one is hard for me to answer because if I’m being completely honest, I didn’t grow up listening to a large array of artists. But the artist that made me realize that I wanted to do music was definitely Whitney Houston. She was my first love. I tend to fall in love with artists that I can feel and believe. Artists that look like they’re bleeding out when they perform: Nina Simone, Shirley Bassey, Raye. For me, it’s about conviction. I also love a lot of sounds that lean more orchestral.
I see when you perform live you’re often with a full band, which makes for a great full listening experience… but it means you’re probably not popping onstage during a drag show at, say, Pieces for a cute guest number with a backing track! Does the way you like you to stage live music make it a bit trickier to navigate where you can perform, especially as a queer artist potentially performing for queer audiences?
Wow, thank you for bringing this up because it’s something that I think about a lot. I actually don’t always perform out with a full band. Lots of times I’m solo. So I could perform this out at queer spaces… if I was ever asked.
It’s interesting because all of my storytelling is coming from a queer perspective, and I really wanted to do something for us that was stripped, vulnerable, and emotional. And so, not performing or being asked to perform in our spaces feels weird and definitely has broken my heart at times. I find myself wondering if I’m “too much” or “too emotional” for our community. It’s a really confusing feeling for me. I want to believe it’s not coming from a bad place, though.
When I was coming up, there were a lot more singers and live music performers doing stuff in queer parties and venues then there are today, so I think younger generations aren’t used to seeing them! I also think there may be something to emotionality in music in general nowadays that confuses younger people. But that’s another subject entirely!
Yeah, maybe. I can see that being a thing. But also, we shouldn’t be afraid of showing that side of ourselves. Having fun and partying is great obviously, but we are multifaceted and more than just a “good time.”
It must be such a great feeling to actually connect with live audiences when you do have those opportunities, though!
My live performances are the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had. Connecting with people on a real and raw level is honestly one of the main reasons why I’m here and do this. It’s very much my purpose.
Can you share a bit of your origin story with us… where are you originally from, and what are the things that ultimately put you on a musical path?
Well, I grew up in an Italian family from Brooklyn. I didn’t grow up with anyone in my family that did music, so when I decided this was my purpose I think a lot of people were very confused! However, my father was the first person to believe in me; he would take me to auditions and “train” me (to the best of his ability). He used to take me to karaoke nights when I was 15 and say, “if this is what you want to do, you have to be able to stand in front of a crowd confidently as well as believe the things that you’re singing.”
I unfortunately lost him to Stage 4 cancer almost 10 years ago, and after losing him I started this project “LEONE.” It’s my way of honoring him, and having his name live on through my music.
That’s beautiful! Was it very difficult to start writing and arranging original music, or did come somewhat naturally?
It’s definitely always comes naturally to me, which is kind of crazy to think about. I think I want to be known more as a songwriter than a singer. There’s something so satisfying about having a feeling that you are forced to embody and encapsulate within four minutes. Again, songwriting is my journal. It’s more than just music to me; it’s me documenting my life in real time.
Was there ever a question of you downplaying being a queer artist to maybe “expand your demographic,” or was your queerness always an essential, mandatory ingredient to your lyrics and stage presentation?
Haha, I couldn’t hide my queerness if I tried. I’m proud of who I am, and because of that I think it’s the reason I’ve been embraced by a lot of people outside of the queer community. Also, my storytelling and lyrics are universal and human. Anyone can relate to these stories. It just so happens that I’m a queer person singing and writing it.
There’s also a lot of power being a queer person in more “straight” spaces.
I bet! The gays can be so jaded, but straight audiences can be intrigued by a queer perspective.
I mean, for the gay audience members I have performed in front of, I’ve always been met with love. I also don’t blame us for being somewhat jaded. Hence why I’d love to play more in our spaces — to help bring everyone’s walls down just a little bit.
Are there many times when lovers, exes, friends and family etc. confront you for lyrics that they believe are about them, correctly or incorrectly?
I’m usually the one that confronts them first and shares the piece with them before it’s even released. I’m very much an open book with the people I write about!
Do you have any favorites of your own songs?
I really love all my songs for different reasons, but the ones that are popping out to me right now are “Today, I Miss You” and “Kiss ‘Em Bye Bye.” “Today, I Miss You” Is one of the songs I wrote about my father, and so it’s very special to me. It’s also probably one of my most relatable songs.
I notice in a lot of your music videos and social media spreads, there’s a throughline in your looks: lots of sexy androgynous drama, flowy baroque pirate-ness! If you’re wearing anything at all, that is. Are you creating and styling all your own looks, or is there a team or a friend in charge of that?
Hahaha OMG “baroque pirate-ness”! I’m dead. I love it. Yes, I style all of my looks or lack there of!
Originally, the concept and idea of me being mostly naked on stage came from me wanting to give the audience the idea of something super sexual, and then in turn slapping them in the face with something super sad and emotional. I also use it as a test to see who will objectify me versus who actually listened to the music. To be fair, now that I’m thinking about it… you can do both and that’s fine, haha! I work hard on my body, so a compliment here and there feels nice.
Can you give us all a general idea about what’s out there, as far as your music goes?
Well, my first two albums are streaming across all platforms, along with five music videos that can be found on YouTube. I also have a show this Thursday at the Wiggle Room. It’s my first show in a while, and it’s meant to be more of an immersive-theatrical experience.
Yes, May 14th! Tell us more.
Well, it’s going to be a different format than I’m used to. I’ll be performing three songs throughout the span of an hour. There with be dancers, lots of movement, and a dance party afterwards. It’s a new series called “Hush Hush,” and I’m lucky and grateful to be the first artist they have chosen to collaborate with.
What else is coming up for you?
I’ve been pretty private and not posting the last year and a half because I’ve been working on my third album, which I can finally say is fully written and now at the final stages of production. You’re actually the first person I’m sharing this with, so this is a special moment for me! It’s going to be called ROMANTIC, and it’s my first full length pop album. I’m planning on starting to release early next year.
That’s very exciting, and our honor to get the scoop! Is there anything you want to share about its sound or themes or the inspiration behind it?
I went into it wanting to manifest the “love of my life,” but the truth about love is that it’s never what you think it’s going to be. And so the album is going to be set up in a way where Side A is the happy, somewhat naive parts of falling in love… while Side B is meant to show the darker, more toxic sides of it. Six ballads and six catchy, hook driven pop songs.
That sounds like something to devour! Okay, to close… we’re in crazy times for everything, but quite notably it’s the Wild West for indie art. How might you advice a baby performer to manage the need to constantly post on social media and navigate algorithms, compete for people’s attention, etc.?
Hmm… I don’t know if I’m the best person to give advice on this. being that I haven’t really been posting a lot. However, I will say that I have found peace within not feeling the need to prove myself or my talent to anyone else. I think as long as you are creating work that you are proud of, the rest will come… and people will feel that. Looking for outside validation will lead you down a dark road. So my advice would be to stay true to yourself and your story, and follow your gut.
Thanks, LEONE!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for LEONE’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Stream his music across multiple platforms.
Thotyssey 