Leigh Evin McCullough is not your average singer-songwriter. Armed with an acoustic guitar, an unmistakable voice, and a whole lot of attitude, this self-taught rocker pushes a little more than the envelope with her clever lyrical twists that leave people asking, "Did she just say that?!?"
With the help of her band, The Low Down, (Mike Marsden on bass and Chuck Sansone (Casolando) on drums) Leighs music is an edgy mix of funk, rock, and pop.
"She grabs your attention, entertains you, and gets you thinking...and you can't ask for more than that," says Blues Bunny Magazine (UK), who recently bestowed the singer-songwriter's 2006 release, Workin', it's highest honors, 5 carrots!
Although Workin' was just released, in August 2006, it's songs have been played on major and indie radio stations across the country and around the globe, such as iChannel (US), Radio Fly 1 (US), Smiling Stranger Radio(UK), Upstage Radio (US-NJ), WGCI (US-IL), B96 (US-IL), Indie 104(US-CA), Nette Radio (US-CA), Moozikoo Radio (US-TN), just to name a few. Moozikoo Radio even added "Breathe" to their Best of Indie Americana Compilation in the Winter of 2006.
Thanks to her colleagues @ Garageband.com, 3 of her songs were named 'Track of the Day,' and 2 'Track of the Week'! "Breathe" was 'Track of the Day' on October 4th in Groove Rock and 'Track of the Week' the second week of December 2006. "Workin'" was 'Track of the Day' in Groove Rock on October 13th 2006. "Masturbating" was 'Track of the Day' in Comedy on January 17th and 'Track of the Week' the first full week of February 2007.
"Breathe" and "Masturbating" were voted Best Female Vocals for 2 weeks in two different categories! "I" was voted Best Drums and Best Female Vocals. "Lonely" was voted Best Bass and Best Drums. "Workin'" was voted Best Keyboards. Check it: www.garageband.com/artist/leighevinmccullough
On the home front, Leigh and The LD made the top 5 in Buzz Magazine's (Chicago) Gender Blender with their song, "I". Leigh and her band were featured along with the other Gender Blender Bands in Buzz Magazine, June 2007. Also that month the band finished at number 6 in the first round of Lollapalooza's Last Band Standing Contest thanks to their fans, family and friends. What a ride!
In the midst of all that summer love, Leigh and the LD were also part of the very first "Best of Chicago Acoustic Underground" held on June 1, 2007. The trio, of course, has been invited back for more.
As a side note, Leigh Evin McCullough has a community/team oriented approach to running her operation. "The Low Down wears more than two faces," Leigh says. When Mike and Chuck can't make gigs, Leigh pulls from a long list of friendly musicians that live around the Chicagoland area, like bassists Steve Smith (Martino Conspiracy, Echosend), and Rob Olsen, drummers Brian Mickey (Finneus), Wil Ocasico (16 Bit Audio), Dave Nishi, and Brian McDermott. "All of these guys are really fun to work with and they each bring their own flare to The Low Down, " Leigh says with a smile.
When she can't bring her one of her hometown low downers with her, she searches for musicians in towns she's traveling to via myspace, like drummers Jeremy Anderson from Minneapolis, MN and Jeff Olson from Stevens Point, WI. "In most cases, if a musician is not on tour with his/her main band, they're more than willing to help. Usually the drummer knows a bass player or visa versa, and it's easier to work with a pair of musicians who are used to playing together," Leigh says.
She sends each musician a CD, they learn the songs, have a rehearsal or 2, and when the gig comes, they have fun. If something doesn't work out, Leigh just plays the songs by herself, and forgets to buy the band any beer that night or give them any of her company's 'got caught?' thong underwear. (Just kidding). Leigh takes her music seriously, but has fun while she's at it, and has no trouble getting others to share the experience.
Not only does Leigh run several versions of The Low Down, she is also in charge of her own business called, On Edge Records that distributes her albums, and books all of her shows. Thanks to her super hero tech friends (Jeff Stelk and Renee duBois) and some mega-watt marketing skills, OER has given Leigh & The LD a cozy Indie home.
For more information on Leigh & The LD, visit www.OnEdgeRecords.com. Hit the buy gear section for the famed 'got caught?' t-shirts and thongs.
