Story by Eric Diep

Photos by Claire Staley
Of all the places singer and songwriter Leo London has played, Sam Bond’s Garage remains his favorite.
“It has the best crowds, most reasonable covers, and the sound guys are great,” he explains. London has played here since he was nineteen, a younger version of himself he describes as “a little more cocky.”
Now twenty-four, London has learned to channel his self-confidence into a jolly personality. He wears a wide smile that’s welcoming, and his trimmed but lengthy hairstyle and crisp gray blazer match his profession of a rhythmic pianist. London creates his own style of piano playing, without, as he puts it, “any melody or fancy trickery.” A self-taught musician, London still prefers to be called just a songwriter.
“I’m not like a proficient piano player,” he says. “All I want to do is write songs.”
On a cool Friday night, the Eugene native is sitting with his entourage of band members and songwriters in the back area of Sam Bond’s. Beside London is bassist Claire Staley, who has been playing with London for six months, and pianist Elliot Crosswhite, organist Colin Redmond, and drummer James West, who have all been playing with London for years.
Originally scheduled to go on at 10:30 p.m., London’s show has been pushed back half-an-hour. But he doesn’t look nervous about the upcoming show. Sipping a Pabst Blue Ribbon, his eyes light up as  the band recounts their favorite embarrassing London moments. Tonight the group is there for moral support as London will be playing solo. He mentions that his grandma will be back later for tonight’s performance. She has never missed a show.
London owes his love for music to his grandparents who raised him from the ages of six to twelve. They owned a piano, which sparked his curiosity in music. Rather than taking lessons, London began to train his ear by learning rhythms on the instrument. When in high school, he inherited vinyl records from his uncles and dad. He listened to a variety of Motown artists and country records, and specifically studied the work of major songwriters like Otis Redding and Phil Spector as well as icons like the Beatles and Bob Dylan.
This plethora of records has shaped what London calls his “very stream of consciousness” style of music writing. He draws from his childhood, experiences with women, and whatever other inspiration pops into his head.
London’s newest song, “Goodbye Big Ben,” was composed while watching the Pittsburgh Steelers stomp an opposing team; however, the song is hardly an ode to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, whom London says “I really hate, like with a passion.” This opinion appears in the lyrics of the song: “Goodbye Big Ben/It’s been such a bad trip. It’s time to start living again/Goodbye Big Ben.”
Compared with other indie artists who he believes use “a lot of reverb and spacious sounds,” London says that focusing on song structure helps produce better lyrics.
“I sit in front of the piano and I play and play,” he explains. “Sometimes I go back and change passages and tinker with ideas.”
Last May, London recorded his self-titled album, which was produced by Justin King in Eugene’s Blackberry Hill Studios. On the album, London’s versatility in music shines through; he plays every instrument with King. London says the music received a positive response, with one of his songs featured on GQ‘s online promotion for the Jersey Shore. Still, London wants to return to lo-fi or raw recording. He plans to transform his grandparents’ garage into a studio.
“I don’t give a fuck; I just want to put [the music] down,” London laughs.
Back at Sam Bond’s, London prepares to walk on stage while juggling a Pabst, an acoustic guitar, and a briefcase. The reddish lights dim on his shaven baby face.
“I’m really broke, so I have CDs for sale,” he says while moving to the piano to play “Goodbye Big Ben.” “I’ll say it now, so I don’t forget it about it.”
Judging from his performance, the audience won’t forget London any time soon. His next yet-to-be-titled record is set to release later this year. London will be playing at the Granary Pizza Company at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 5.

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