Creating A Universe

On this episode, I am joined by my good friends Alex & Scott of the London Rock duo LEONTAS. We go way back and used to gig together all the time with Flavour Nurse, they're really great guys full of talent, releasing a lot of fantastic music alongside their highly entertaining live shows. We discuss the band's story from the very beginning up until the present day, breaking down their production process and getting a look into the meanings behind their songs - as well as addressing the challenges and virtues of making music as a two piece.  

Check out the bands website to find and follow them on social media: https://www.leontas.com/ 

For all other Love Anarchy links including socials, music, blog & services: https://flow.page/loveanarchy Timstamps  

00:33 Introduction & Synopsis 

01:58 Overview of the LEONTAS story & how they got together 

04:19 Alex’s unique guitar sound / the challenges of being a two piece / the bands style and approach 

12:05 The bands high energy live show & instinctual bond 

15:45 Making their first EP / Demo 

24:03 When we met on the London gig scene / the early Love Anarchy community 

30:23 Leveling up the bands music production with Stand Out & Now 

34:52 Releasing Rhythm & Blues / Me meeting my wife at the release show 

37:37 Scott’s multi-instrumental stage setup 

40:25 Getting experimental on ‘Pick Me Up’ / the bands favourite live sound guy 

44:00 ‘Alive’ and working with a producer on this run of tracks 

45:13 ‘Darkened Heart’ / How the band had to change & adapt during lockdown 

49:29 Alex becoming a producer / ‘Black Magic’ & taking a more DIY approach 

53:51 What it takes to be an independent artist now 

57:15 The next run of songs, self produced and mixed externally 

01:01:02 Cobzar - the story of the bands most emotional song 

01:08:45 The unplugged session - showing a different side with a jazz pianist 

01:14:03 ‘925’ and the upcoming EP 

01:16:35 The bands ‘Phase 1’ CD, website & merch 

01:18:30 Where to find the band, upcoming gigs and what’s next for LEONTAS 

Love Anarchy Links: https://flow.page/loveanarchy

In this second episode of the podcast, I talk to my good friend and long time collaborator Toby Cozens about our journey as a band with Flavour Nurse. Topics and timestamps can be found below.  

Discover Flavour Nurse here: https://lovanaverse.com/flavournurse/links 

For all other Love Anarchy links including socials, music, blog & services: https://flow.page/loveanarchy 

00:33 Introduction & Synopsis 

01:39 How Flavour Nurse began 

04:19 Toby's first bass 

06:22 Writing our first songs 

08:21 The 2015 era - partying in the slums 

10:43 Recording our first demos 

13:16 Searching for members / Not wanting to sing 

18:03 The 2016 era - living together & focusing on music 

19:03 Our crude home recording setup 

19:57 Starting to produce our own music 

23:32 Getting our first full lineup together 

25:23 Our first rehearsals 

27:00 Our first gig 

29:06 Early concept development 

32:42 The 2017 era - new place, non stop party & gigging momentum 

35:28 Solidifying the lineup 39:18 Oscars drum audition tape 

41:30 Oscars insane style & destructive force 

45:55 Lots of gigging 

46:35 Founding Love Anarchy 

50:00 Grundle Bumfist 

52:20 Creating LovAnaverse 

53:30 Flavour Nurse look & show 

57:12 The 2018 era - refining & recording our first single 

58:47 Anthony’s production skills and impact on the band 

01:04:29 Starting to record an album with Bogdan 

01:07:35 How the band began to unravel 

01:13:13 Toby’s advice for bands playing gigs on the local scene 

01:16:51 Changing direction for Flavour Nurse 

01:20:26 Realising I needed to become a producer 

01:24:34 Flavour Nurse retiring from stage & entering hiatus 

01:27:45 Finishing the Flavour Nurse album 

01:29:50 Making the Majesty music video 

01:32:52 Finally releasing our work in 2021 

01:34:00 Reflecting on the journey & Closing sentiments   

Love Anarchy Links: https://flow.page/loveanarchy

In this first episode of Creating A Universe, I give you an introduction to the Podcast, setting the precedent for what's to be expected on the show. Whilst we will usually be having guests on, I thought to kick things off with a solo episode that will give you more context about who I am and what we do at Love Anarchy. Mostly I am just telling you about my personal story & journey so far.

If you're interested, there's a blog post on our website that takes this topic into further depth. You can check it out here: https://loveanarchy.co.uk/introduction/

For all other Love Anarchy links including socials, music, blog & services: https://flow.page/loveanarchy

Timestamps:

00:33 Introduction & Synopsis

00:55 What this podcast is about

04:07 Love Anarchy & the LovAnaverse

05:55 How I got into music

07:28 Touching on influences

08:35 Personal issues & struggles in life

09:50 The ultimatum I was faced with

10:20 Flavour Nurse - my main band

12:03 Realising the importance of business as a musician

13:20 Founding Love Anarchy

14:15 Networking at gigs

15:08 Becoming Gaius Black

17:25 Love Anarchy movement & community

18:57 Obstacles & re-evaluations

20:24 Taking charge & moving forwards

21:23 Early LovAnaverse + Grundle Bumfist

24:10 Burning out, resetting myself & rekindling inspiration

26:03 Going all in on LovAnaverse

28:45 Retiring from the stage

29:10 Meeting my wife, Maria

30:28 Becoming a producer

31:00 Supporting other bands & providing services

32:40 Lockdown & going full time on Love Anarchy

35:06 Recording & releasing the first LovAnaverse albums

36:50 What we’re able to do and who we’re looking to work with

40:04 The Death Metal Space Opera of Black Tongue Bile

41:23 What else can you expect + plans for the podcast

43:18 Closing sentiments