CHEEKY LEASH JUST RELEASED A NEW TRACK AND WE'RE PRETTY NOSEY OVER HERE AT WIZARD WATER, WE THOUGHT WE'D DIVE RIGHT IN.
TRACK NAME IS - Lock My Stare- LISTEN HERE
Four cheeky lads from Wollongong, NSW. Releasing their debut single 'FADED' (2023) taking them up and down the east coast of Australia. Hitting the scene running with their infectious and energetic melodies.
Cheeky Leash have kicked off 2024 working hard on recording, set to have a string of releases throughout 2024.
The first of these was the single 'Touch' recorded with Jack Nigro and a new single 'Lock My Stare' recorded with Callum Howell is out now.
In support of the new singles the cheeky lads have lined up a run of shows along the east coast of NSW before they get back to work in the studio on their next releases.
You've been described as "four cheeky lads from Wollongong" - how does your hometown influence your music and your overall style as a band?
Being from Wollongong helps influence everything we create and also probably influenced the cheeky nature of such. The laid-back Aussie beach vibe is definitely reflected in our music, with its mix of surf rock, indie, and alternative sounds. Plus, growing up in a close-knit community like Wollongong and its amazing music scene helps see what is possible and motivates us. So yeah, you could say our hometown is like an invisible fifth member of the band, shaping our music and style in ways we might not even realise.
Your debut single "FADED" garnered attention and took you up and down the east coast of Australia. How has that experience shaped your approach to music going forward?
The experience of touring with "FADED" as a new band taught us the importance of connecting with fans and the power of live performances. It reinforced our passion for music and inspired us to work hard on our live performance and really get to work on releasing music we enjoy.
"Touch" was your first single of 2024, recorded with Jack Nigro. Can you tell us about the creative process behind that track and what inspired its sound?
"Touch" was actually the first song we wrote as a band and with Jack Nigro’s experience and guidance it evolved to what it is now. We wanted to capture the raw energy of almost a live performance. The song explores the early Cheeky Leash sound bringing our own musical influences to the table to create a unique and raw track.
Your latest single "Lock My Stare" dropped on Friday. What can fans expect from this new release, and how does it differ from your previous work?
Lock My Stare is an energetic guitar driven track which we had a lot of fun with experimenting the different dynamics the song has to offer. It is our loudest and proudest to date and is one to listen to windows down. Lock My Stare is about an intense and intimate connection with someone. Young love and lust between two people who are crazy about each other. We tried to bottle that feeling into a song so we hope it connects with fans the way we have. It also is a track that’s stuck around for a while and seen many different versions so we are excited to set it free
You've mentioned a string of releases throughout 2024. Can you give us a sneak peek into what's coming next after "Lock My Stare"?
Lock My Stare may have been a departure of our early days as a band. We have worked really hard to establish ourselves and build our own unique style and direction into the upcoming releases in 2024. This new but familiar sound we have worked hard on really encapsulates us as a band and our fun cheeky side. We are in a place where our music feels unsiom and all our influences have found their place in what we call cheeky leash.
How do you balance performing live shows with your time in the studio? Do you find one aspect more creatively fulfilling than the other?
We feel one is no more important than the other. We spend hours a week in our studio, what we call the Cheeky Burrow. This is home and our place of creativity, it’s a small and loud space which has made us closer as a band and also being so small motivates us to get the hell out of there and experience our music with other people where there is nowhere to hide and just have some fun.
You have shows lined up along the east coast of NSW to support your new singles. What do you enjoy most about performing live, and what can audiences expect from your upcoming gigs?
Performing live is a whole lot of fun, energy and excitement. You are putting a piece of yourself on display and when someone connects with what you have created it's pretty awesome and to be able to enjoy that moment together is special.Â
At a cheeky gig You can expect a Dynamic set, energetic melodies and a whole lot of fun. Definitely come along prepared for a dance and sing along.
What's the significance behind the title "Lock My Stare" for your upcoming single, and what themes or emotions does it explore?
Lock My Stare is about an intense and intimate connection with someone. Young love and lust between two people who are crazy about each other. I'm sure all if not most of us have experienced that roller coaster of emotions before or will one day and it's one that sticks with you and we feel Lock My Stare is something people will relate too. We tried to incorporate different dynamics to mimic that new and exciting feeling of not wanting to do anything else but be with that person.
Can you share any memorable moments or funny stories from your time recording "Lock My Stare" with Callum Howell?
We were excited to work with Cal knowing of his experience working with Ocean Alley and many other great musicians which we look up to. Instantly we all felt comfortable being ourselves around Cal and before too long entertained ourselves by quoting Step Brothers and other movies keeping it all light hearted and often laughing a bit too much through the process. Cal helped us explore new sounds through an assortment of pedals he brought along to help bring our wacky ideas to life. We made a mate through the process which was awesome.
Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations as a band for the rest of 2024 and beyond?
Our goals for the rest of 2024 and beyond involve releasing new music, play more live shows, and establish ourselves further within the music industry. We would love to start making our way on to some festival line ups or jump on as a support on a national or international tour. Ultimately, we aspire to make a lasting impact with our music and connect with audiences on a deeper level whilst always being Cheeky
Stumbled across 'Lock My Stare' on my tik tok yesterday so gave it a full listen! There must be something in the water down there in Wollongong cause the best tunes keep coming and this is one of them, a fun surf rock mix that you can play on repeat, looking forward to watch them play live this year.