Jon Leahy singer/songwriter Biography

Jon grew up under the iron hand of a drugged up drunken father, crazy hippie mother and a handful of small minded people living in a small minded town. So far, an album of material to write about. But f**k that, Jon ain’t like the usual “singer/songwriter“.

At sixteen BBC RADIO came calling and a live session was done. This session was shared with Jon’s artist sister Lou.

Lots of band shit came after this which resulted in records being made, various songs appearing on compilation’s and shows with strange people.

Two years later the United States of America offered opportunity so without having to think Jon was playing bass and rocking stages over the pond with grunge heads Paradox [Jetspeed Records, Hollywood], shooting low budget music videos in the Nevada desert and falling in love with a true US of A cello player called Zoë Kohen Ley. Happy days.

After that period Jon left the whole band/ego scene behind in search of a straight forward life as a solo artist. This ideal would be comprised of solid songs, rock shows and no bullshit. Easy? No. But trying was interesting

Jon travelled alone around central Europe with a cheap acoustic in one hand and a bag of dirty washing in the other. Shows were played, drugs were tested, Jon was arrested on occasion and all the usual shit one encounters while doing Europe. Sometime in the haze an EP HAPPYSAD was quickly recorded, burned and passed around on the underground scene.

Strangely enough some people liked the noise he was making so they captured him at a show one night and included his song Jealous Housemate on a live compilation. A few months later the song Our Special appeared on another two compilations which helped to spread his name around.

Relentless touring, continuous song writing and the launch of his own official website brings us to today where Leahy is working on new EP DARKLIGHT in Dublin, Ireland with Aaron Kennedy on drums, Annette Buckley on vocals, with the rest of the vocals and instrumentation being performed by himself.

[NOTE: THIS RECORD IS GOING TO F**KING ROCK]

Quotes from the media

  • "A songwriter of true promise, with a dedicated approach to his craft, it is only a matter of time before he gets the recognition he deserves" Evening Echo, Mark McClelland
  • "Cork born Jon Leahy is a talented songwriter whose voice and guitar captivated the SIN É audience. A particular favourite of mine is "Motionless Love Letters" which he played live for the On The Verge radio show" DS FM, Brendan Hickey
  • "Our Special fills your ears with a lush sound scape woven from voice and guitar only" www.musician.ie
  • "Jon Leahy is a songwriter with his own special mould... his use of the fretboard is amazing... every time he performs the audience seem satisfied" www.drop-d.ie
  • "Jon's songs are cleverly arranged and executed to perfection with thrilling guitar licks and powerful vocals... energy and lyrical diversity" Wexford Song Club, Ian Barry
  • "A wonderful set of meaningful songs" Underground Sessions, Dublin
  • "We wanted more 'cos this was really good!" www.auruax.com
  • "Our Special and Still Rain have a very crisp, confident and dynamic style... this is music best listened to with a fine malt close to hand" Evening Echo, Don O'Mahony
  • "Leahy's music itself is a highly competent blend of thoughtful lyrics and a quick surf of his myspace site is rewarded by the tones of 'Our Special'" Cork Independant, Graham Lynch
  • "Your song on myspace is amazing, so good. I do like your live music though. It's brilliant to see you perform and any one lucky enough to see Jon play is very lucky....." MySpace.com

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