Brian Aubert, The Album Leaf, and Spank Rock

Jimmy LaValle, prior to embarking on the musical project The Album Leaf, formed the post-rock band Tristeza in 1997, which he continues to contribute to. Adopting the kitchen sink compositional approach of utilising every sound producing item attainable, including radio transmissions and field recordings, Album Leaf’s debut recording arrived in 1999 entitled “An Orchestrated Rise to Fall”. Recorded by GoGoGo Airheart’s singer and guitarist Mike Vermillion, the album features LaValle improvising on a Rhodes Piano and vintage Roland drum machine. The Album Leaf, along with LaValle’s post-rock band Tristeza, subsequently signed with the New York label Tigerstyle.

After signing with Tigerstyle LaValle earned his first advance that allowed him to purchase a computer and recording equipment. The fruits of this advance became clear when the four-track EP “In An Off White Room”, named for the colour of his home studio, was issued in 2001. Following a performance at South by Southwest, featuring members LaValle, guitar and keyboard player Leilani Clark, keyboard player Tana Helean, bassist Susanna Waiche, and drummer Jay Hough of GoGoGoAirheart, the band embarked on a four-week U.S. tour. LaValle later took a job at the San Diego music house “Singing Serpent”, recording jingles for television commercials. Whilst the job gave the musician access to a studio, and was where he recorded his sophomore “One Day I’ll Be On Time”, it also stifled LaValle’s creativity.

“One Day I’ll Be on Time” was issued in early 2001 and earned significant exposure when it was bought by Jón Þór Birgisson of Sigur Rós in Iceland. Sigur Rós subsequently invited The Album Leaf to support them on their U.S. tour, doing wonders for album sales and international appeal.

LaValle’s third solo album “In a Safe Place”, recorded at Sigur Rós’ Icelandic studio, was released on Sub Pop in June 2004. Featuring contributions from all members of Sigue Rós, the album earned greater commercial success than its predecessors, and led to musical appearances on the TV shows “The O.C.” and “CSI: Miami”. The album “Into the Blue Again” arrived in September 2006, with a return to LaValle crafting the majority of the instrumental sounds. After composing an original soundtrack to the 1927 silent film “Sunrise: A Song of Two Human” by F.W. Murnau, The Alum Leaf released the 2010 album “A Chorus of Storytellers”. The album earned strong reviews from the musical press and was supported by an intense worldwide tour including parts of Europe, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan.

Born and raised in West Baltimore, Juwan was introduced to the Baltimore club music scene in his teens. During high school Juwan’s older sister introduced the budding musician to producer J. Period, who took the Baltimore-native under his wing. Juwan subsequently met Alex Epton, an alumni of the New England Conservatory of Music, and the two began performing together under the moniker Spank Rock. Playing early shows around Philadelphia and Phoenixville, the band’s profile increased significantly supporting artists including Hollertronix and M.I.A.

Following a tour in support of Beck in 2006, Spank Rock issued their debut full-length “YoYoYoYoYo”. Replete with hypersexual lyrical themes and decades-old samples, the record generated a host of positive reviews, led by the singles “Rick Rubin”, “Sweet Talk”, and “Bump”. Released on Big Dada Records, the album proved to be the final Spank Rock output as a duo with Alex Epton, also known as XXXChange, going solo in late 2007. Spank Rock subsequently collaborated with Benny Blanco on the EP “Benny Blanco & Spank Rock Present: Bangers & Cash” and appeared on the Kylie Minogue remix track “Benny Blanco”.

Later collaborating with Mark Ronson, Spank Rock featured on his single “The Bike Song” from the 2010 album “Record Collection” before appearing on Ronson’s supporting tour. Issued on his own label Bad Blood Records, the rapper’s sophomore album “Everything Is Boring and Everyone Is a Fucking Liar” arrived in September 2011. Led by the single “Energy”, the record earned mixed reviews however featured a string of producers including Mark Ronson, Boyz Noize, and XXXChange. In December 2014 the musician released the EP “The Upside”, led by the single “Gully”.