Introducing: Left With Pictures

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A band that are currently making us weak at the knees; Left With Pictures’ new EP Secretly is an enchanting stroke of chamber pop genius.

The band have actually been around since 2005 and have previously self-released two EP’s, plus a single ‘Bows and Arrows’ from last year. It wasn’t until last years End Of The Road festival though that Left With Pictures were eventually picked up by a label. Organ Grinder records first saw them perform at the festival and couldn’t believe they weren’t already signed. That soon changed though, and almost to a year to the date of their first meeting Secretly gets its release on 29th September.

To give you a bit of a taster of what to expect you lucky so and so’s can download an exclusive track ‘Super-8′, available on our current September mixtape here..

We recently caught up with the East London based trio to find out a bit more about their background and what makes them tick.

For people out there that have never heard of you. Give us three reasons why they should…
Our music is unusual, with a lot of different influences – it’s tuneful, emotional but with a strong sense of humour.

Can you recall the moment when you first decided you wanted to become a musician?
We all got into music while we were at school. I fancied myself as a jazz pianist, Rob was some kind of prodigy, performing Piano and Violin concertos at school concerts. Stu was a 14-year old who wanted to be in Green Day! He’s over that now.

Where do your songs come from? What’s your inspiration?
The music tends to come first, and then we’ll fit it to a story or theme that seems appropriate. The lyrics often have a narrative element and are quite personal; we write about our jobs, relationships, childhoods.

What was the first gig you ever played and was it a success?
The first gig LWP gig that I remember took place in an Australian bar in Kilburn. It’s since closed down. At the time we were a duo, and Rob, our third member, was in the audience. Our toy instruments got a big cheer and they’ve been part of our live shows ever since.

What’s been your most memorable on the road story so far?
It’s not really a ‘road’ story, but we offered to play in people’s bedrooms and flats a couple of years ago. We got booked by a 16 year-old girl who was having a house party while her parents were away! It was bizarre, I felt almost parental.

How much artist control do you possess over your music? Are you interested in how the album looks and how you’re marketed?
We have almost complete control. Suck on that, Prince! We’re lucky to have friends who are much better at marketing and design than we are, so we’re interested, but we’ll only offer advice if they ask for it.

What music are you enjoying right now? Any recommendations for our readers to check out?
A lot of the Mercury Music Prize nominations. We’re very taken with Rachel Unthank’s record and Laura Marling too. And the fat Mancunians, Elbow.

Name your Top 5 records.
This is pretty arbitary, but in no particular order: The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde, Radiohead’s Kid A, Lau’s Lightweights and Gentleman and Sufjan Steven’s Come on Feel the Illinoise!

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Stu worked as a temp at an insurance underwriter’s. He insured Paul McCartney’s guitar! I think that was his best day. Rob used to pack Totes Toasties, those infamous sock / slipper hybrids. I used to be a supply music teacher, teaching in a shed.

Tell us a joke.
You must be joking.

Left With Pictures on MySpace