From time to time, one of our contributors will recommend an artist/band they think deserves your attention. No record labels, PR companies, bands or band’s management will ever have made these recommendations. It is simply one music fan putting their taste on the line in the hope of sharing good music. The questions are intended to give just a basic introduction to possibly your new favourite artist/band.
So without further ado, let’s crack on with another introduction, in which Silent Radio’s Paula Farr recommends The Persian Leaps for your audible delectation.
Who are ya?
We’re the Persian Leaps
Where are you from?
Saint Paul, Minnesota
How long have you been doing what you’re doing now?
Decades, but we’ve only been releasing music publicly since 2013.
Is being a musician your full time job?
No, I’m a software developer; before that, I was an archaeologist. But I love what I do for a living. It allows me to make music.
Are there any obvious influences in your music?
Guided By Voices, Teenage Fanclub, and the Smiths are the big ones
Are there any not so obvious influences in your music?
Simon & Garfunkel were a huge influence on me. My parents had two records by them, which I loved and literally wore out in grade school. I’d probably mention them anyway, but they’re especially relevant because the song ‘America’ inspired me to write our new single, ‘Lost Cause’. I was out cross-country skiing a couple of years back and it came up on shuffle. As I sang along to the line, “Cathy, I’m lost, I said, though I knew she was sleeping” I was inspired to write a song with the lyrics “Kathy, I’m a lost cause”
Any musical Guilty Pleasures? Come on you can share, we’re all friends here!
I like a ton of bands that purists might turn up their noses at – Duran Duran and Rush come to mind. But I don’t feel guilty about them. However, I do love many songs by Def Leppard, despite their hair-metal cheesiness. Say what you want about the band, but ‘Photograph’ is a fantastic pop song. See also “Round and Round” by Ratt.
Apart from yourself of course, what other band/artist would you recommend our readers check out?
You should definitely listen to Guided By Voices, if you don’t know them already. On a local scale, my friends in the Twin Cities band Ahem are putting out some fantastic fuzzy punk gems. They’re on the Forged Artifacts label – highly recommended. Also, if you like Wire, the Fall, or other angular post-punk, I think you’ll like Deleter, another Twin Cities band. I released a few things from them on my Land Ski Records label.
Tell us about the defining moment when you thought ‘Fuck, yes I want to be a musician!’
Not really sure, but I’ve always lived and breathed music. I remember making up a song about the Silver Surfer and singing it to my mom when I was in early grade school. “I’m the Silver Surfer of love” or something like that. With early promise like that, is it any wonder that the Persian Leaps have risen so high?
Does what go on, on tour, stay on tour?
Honestly, we’ve never been able to tour because we’re guys with families, mortgages, and full-time careers. But if I were to go on tour and do something scandalous (like eat at Burger King), it would definitely stay my little secret.
What’s your favourite gig as a gig goer?
I go through phases where I see tons of shows per year, and then I get burned out and stop going altogether for a few years. I literally saw hundreds of shows between 2010 and 2016 or so. However, even before COVID-19, I’d barely seen 1 show per year for the last couple of years. The last amazing show I recall was Sloan in 2018. I’d seen them several times before, but I was just blown away by how tight they were and, especially, how record-perfect their harmonies were live. Seeing them perform ‘Losing California’ live is always a cathartic experience for me.
Who, in your wildest dreams would you like to collaborate with/be produced by?
Honestly, I’m not much of a collaborator, and I prefer to produce my own music, for better or worse. However, I’ve always wanted to record a cover of Robyn’s ‘Call Your Girlfriend’. Robyn, if you’re open to a duet, please get in touch.
Best place for people to find out what you are up to?
Our website, thepersianleaps.com
Anything to declare?
17 Toblerones, a litre of absinthe, and some cheese made with unpasteurised goat milk.
