The Leap Year are a band from Perth, Western Australia. They formed in
2006 and comprise of Rob Schifferli (Guitar/vocals), Martin Allcock
(Guitar/vocals), Paul Haimes (Bass/vocals) and Chris Reimer (Drums).
The sound of the band has been described as "slow and mainly minor while also being very engrossing" by Mess and Noise, and been compared to Sunny Day Real Estate, ...Trail of Dead, The Life & Times and Slint, although they have quickly developed a sound that is their own, with three members contributing vocals.
The Leap Year have played several shows around Perth and Fremantle, playing alongside several bands from Australia and overseas including Low, Batrider, Shooting at Unarmed Men, Deloris and many more. They also played at the prestigious RTR FM festival "In the Pines".
The band signed to Melbourne-based label Hobbledehoy Records in 2007 and their debut album "With a Little Push, a Pattern Appears" was released later that year. It was recorded at Bergerk Recording Studios by Al Smith, mixed by Simon Struthers (Adam Said Galore/Mukaizake/Umpire) and mastered by Bob Weston (Shellac/Mission of Burma) at Chicago Mastering Service. Two tracks from the album, "Let it go, let it go" and "This is a setup", have both received substantial play on Australian community radio and the band's Myspace page. "Let it go, let it go" was also nominated as a finalist for the Western Australian Music Industry's Song of the Year contest for 2007.
The band has started writing their second album and will tour nationally in 2009.
Album reviews
“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
Live reviews
“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.”
Xpress Magazine Perth, 24th January 2008
“The Leap Year somehow manage to be both slow and mainly minor while also being very engrossing... they play with confidence and a lot of wry humour. They also play with power belying the relaxed strumming speed of all three non-drummers, and ardor belying their self-deprecating remarks about each other... The might of their songs left the night with a bereaved glow and a strong urge to see them again.”
messandnoise.com, 27th March 2007