We have appeared on absolutepunk.net’s “Absolute 100″ list, an annual collection of their favourite lesser known bands. We’re very flattered that we’ve made their list:

http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=465421

We’re on a new compilation from Poison City Records called “Poison the World Volume 3”. Also on the compilation are some great bands like Lungs, Planes Mistaken for Stars, A Death in the Family, Defiance Ohio and Donnie Dureau from Blueline Medic.

Head to http://www.poisoncityrecords.com for more info.

A story by Patience Lindhjem.

The last sun is creeping down the side of the mountain, staining the green grass orange. He squints at it through his small black eyes, and knows he will have to move soon.

The beast must be fed. And though his masters are patient, he is not inclined to test that patience.

Digging into the soft grass with a thick, shovel like toenail he uncovers a rootsucker. Stabbing it with a toenail from the other foot, he reaches down with a leathery hand and, dusting the dirt from its writhing white body, shoves the rootsucker into his mouth. He sucks the creamy insides out as the final sunlight glints off the river far below.

He must move. The masters have lit the lamps in their large rambling cottage and were now gathered around the table.

Manuk lifted his carpeted frame from the large rock he’d been sitting on. Moving slowly down the slope towards the wooden cabin, he could almost smell his masters’ breath as they belched and shouted at each other across the table, tankards sloshing over as they toasted the arrival of the beast and their imminent successes.

The beast. It must be fed. Manuk reminds himself that his presence at that table would not be welcomed until he has completed this task.

Still moving down the side of the mountain, past the glowing kitchen where the four men amused themselves, Manuk made his way by the small outhouse to the hutch beyond.

He could hear the tiny creatures before he saw them, snuffling and scratching in the dirt. Making that strange screeching sound that was so incongruous with their small fluffy frames.

As he approached the fence, Manuk could see they were already bounding over to greet him. So trusting. So stupid.

For a moment Manuk was torn between anger and sadness. The silly wee creatures with their daft floppy ears knew that the arrival of his black matted bulk meant that they would be fed. That they would be petted, if only for a moment.

But didn’t they know too that they were also part of the food chain? That the same creature that came to give them food and water, also came to take their fluffy, pointless lives?

Manuk suppressed the urge to rage through the compound and break their fragile necks. Instead, he got the feed bucket and let himself through the safety fence to ensure none of the hares escaped.

Giant Welsh Hares they were – apparently. Too large for the masters to carry more than one at a time, it was Manuk’s lot to carry the tiny creatures to the beast. That was his role. Just as the planning and the scheming was the role of his four masters.

The beast must be fed.

Manuk shook the dreadlocked fur around his crown, as if to shake his own thoughts loose. He began to gather the hares, starting with the one he had been stroking absentmindedly since entering the compound. The creature nuzzled into the crook of his arm - unaware of what was coming.

Now, with his two huge arms encircling ten or more hares, Manuk made his way to the entrance of the cave.

The beast had already shuffled out from its dank hiding place. Manuk was late - it had already found something to cut its teeth on.

Manuk had no idea why this stupid creature was key to his masters’ plans.

It stood in the twilight with a vacant expression on its muzzle as rows of tiny, razor sharp teeth slashed their way through a crocodile-like creature it must have pulled from the loop of river that ran through the deepest part of the cave. The beast’s whiskers twitched while it ate. The strange feather-scales made an unsettling clacking sound in concert with crunching of bones.

Manuk let out a low gutteral noise behind the beast to let it know he had arrived. Scavenger birds scattered hurriedly as the beast awkwardly heaved its enormous mass around to face Manuk.

Manuk met the creatures keen stare, but he knew it foccussed only on the hares he carried in his arms.

For the first time now, the hares sensed danger, but it was too late.

Manuk placed the hares into a large bucket and hoisted it up into a tree. They made a strange screaming sound as the bucket swang from side to side.

The beast would pick from the bucket like a bowl of peanuts until each of the hares were gone. Then, it would shuffle back into its cave as daylight approached - waiting, just as Manuk did, for the masters’ to reveal the beast’s purpose.

Manuk trudged back up the side of the mountain, trying not to listen to the hares’ screams. He would make a detour to his rock and sit quietly for a moment before taking a place at his masters’ table.

Rounding the bend of the small dirt path, Manuk could see that the feed bucket hung from the fence of the hutch had a small hole in it. Pellets were falling to the ground in a slow steady stream. Manuk calculated that the majority of the pellets were now on the ground and gave the bucket a nudge. With a little push, a pattern appeared. Spirals of feed swished out on the ground until the pellets finally ran out.

Manuk sighed. He would fix it tomorrow.

We’re taking a break from playing shows for a while so that we can focus on writing new material for our next album. More information on that later in the year.

We’ve been chosen to play the Perth semi-final of the V Festival’s “Garage to V” competition! The bands selected to enter the state heats around Australia are chosen by a panel of Australia’s music industry and are judged on their creative talent, individuality and potential.

The heats are held in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The winners from these heats will be flown to Sydney for the final.

More info here - http://www.garage2v.com.au/whatis.

The heat is on February 28th at the Bakery in Northbridge. We’re on at 9:15pm. We can get 30 of our friends in for free, so if you want to come, please let us know and we’ll put your name on the door. Or you can visit http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/competitions/show/74.

Please come down and show your support, we would really appreciate it!

Here is a review from Xpress Magazine, printed on 24/01/08.

“What strikes you the most about watching The Leap Year perform is their passion and professionalism. At the Amplifier to promote their
critically acclaimed album With a Little Push a Pattern Appears, and supported by a very strong lineup, this was their night.

They took to the stage and immediately got stuck into opener The Idea, which set the mood with brilliant atmospherics and a tense build up climaxing with brilliantly controlled guitar distortions; the moment the vocals were introduced could not have been more perfectly timed, and the crowd were well into it. The chilling The Rational Anthem is a great example of rock creativity, with lyrics inspired by Morrison and an atmosphere reminiscent of Slint at their finest. Although very much guitar-driven, the understated drumming of Chris Reimer is, providing a stable foundation in support of the front three, such as on penultimate Let it Go Let it Go. Closer This Is A Setup, which has been receiving a fair bit of radio airplay, was a great end to a solid
set. With 2008 seeing The Leap Year promoting their album nationally and internationally, and with talk of a follow up album in the works, it is good to know that this is still only the beginning.”
Marc Edwards

Hi everyone,

Our next show is at the Amplifier Bar in Perth on Saturday February 16th. It’s Kill Teen Angst’s Cd launch, and also playing are Batrider (NZ), Sugar Army and Hooper’s Store.

Our debut album “With a little Push a Pattern Appears” has been receiving some very positive reviews recently. Here are a few excerpts:

“The songs exude a pleasantly audible sense of passion and can incur that urge to wave ones fist with the rhythm and sing along… these songs feel fleshed out, mulled over, and pieced together like tiny pieces of architecture. There’s that element of progression - especially evident on the very good This is a Setup - that keeps you looking forward to the next crest of guitars, the next opportunity to sway meditatively back and forth to another of their chant-choir choruses… purveying a rich and evocative rock palette bereft of irony and other uber-cool indie rock signifiers. Even so, the glowingly cathartic and emotive aspect of With A Little Push… never threatens to combust into nauseating decadence. The Leap Year has found a rather perfect balance.”
Drum Media Sydney, 10th January 2008

“Let It Go Let It Go notched up a nomination in the WAM Song Contest
this year and there is little wonder why - think a sinister Red House
Painters with a lot more muscle. During its last minute this tune
kicks up a gear to make it one of the most impressive guitar-based
moments to be released in recent months… This is a Setup and Blood Rodeo offer plenty of light and shade amongst the noodle and overdrive, but all in all the whole album is a guitar driven delight. With a Little Push A Pattern Appears is chock full of indie rock goodness.”
Xpress Magazine Perth, 3rd January 2008

“This 7 tracker is one hell of an introduction, the songs are instantly mesmerizing and flow like a dream. Sounds you can just sit back and chill to and forget about everything around you. 3 sets of lungs up front on guitar and bass, a drummer and one hell of a captivating sound… these guys have something special going on… If you like something a bit more mellow and atmospheric, check these guys out now.”
5 out of 5
bombshellzine.com, 14th January 2008

Check out our new video for The Rational Anthem. It was written by Rob Schifferli and Grantley Smith, directed by Rob Schifferli, edited by Michael Quinlan and stars Jeremy Wood, Max Lunt, Clinton Dyer, Chris Kite and Jesse Boyle.

The Rational Anthem.

‘With A Little Push A Pattern Appears’
Friday 18th January 2008
Amplifier Bar, Perth

with special guests:
The Tigers
The Wednesday Society
Pacific By Rail