Biography
"Lyricist, turntablist, label co-owner and creator of magnitude." (Rokon Magazine - Seoul)
Born on the Canadian prairies, LEO37 (née Leo Shia) began his involvement in music early on with organ lessons at the age of 8, trumpet at 10, drums at 14 and turntables and rapping shortly after. In 2001, leaving behind repeatedly sold-out performances with various local bands, Leo relocated to Toronto where he soon found himself on stage and in studio with some of the city's most acclaimed jazz, pop and hip-hop artists, including Joel Joseph (Nelly Furtado), Dafydd Hughes (Esthero & Feist) and Soliva. Meanwhile, a graduate of Ryerson University's prestigious Radio and Television Arts Program, Leo was host to one of the school’s most popular online radio shows, Noise Therapy.
In late 2004, following a mad season in the UK, Leo recorded Winter, his debut release on PPF House. Met with rave response, the seven track EP sold out of its initial pressing in just under a month. This was followed a year later with Summer, a full length offering which traded in Winter's digital soundscapes for a live band made up of some of Canada's biggest jazz heavyweights. "From jazz to rock...disco to drum and bass...the point [of Summer] is positivity, but there's also an emphasis on pushing musical boundaries." (The Star Phoenix - Saskatoon)
Proud of his new record but unable to find proper label support, Leo took matters into his own hands and ended up booking, managing and headlining the successful Giant Steps cross-Canada tour in the spring of 2006.
Since then, Leo has executive produced and performed on the PPF House Basement Suite (2007) -- a label compilation that was declared "...one of the most original sounds in Canada." by Exclaim! Magazine – continued touring Canada, the mid-western U.S., as well as booked and co-headlined the DESTRJOY! Asia tour that took Leo and fellow PPF Housemates, MAGNOLIUS, through packed rooms and sold-out crowds in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok, Manila, Seoul, Singapore and Taipei. "...skilled flow and massive stage presence... Even the people chatting in the back of the room had to stand up and take notice when Leo grabbed the mic." (+886 Magazine – Taipei)
Now, having officially launched the PPF House music division this past February (2009), as well as completing his 3rd Canadian tour (Slow Claps tour) in support of his newest release with PPF Housemate, Sunclef, entitled Applause, Leo is headed back to Asia to begin work on his 3rd solo album.
Having shared the stage with an eclectic mix of artists ranging from Del the Funky Homosapien to the Bad Plus, Tittsworth to Swollen Members, and drawing inspiration from the careers of artists like Miles Davis, the Soulquarians, the Native Tongues, Radiohead and Bjork, LEO37 strives for forward-thinking music with a thick groove. Be it as a solo performer, a producer or a turntablist, his range is deep and diverse, offering forth a smart, danceable and utterly unique picture of the world.
Instrumentation
LEO37 - Emcee/DJ/Producer
Sunclef - Producer/Bass
Previous tour and album contributors:
Banks, Chris - Bass
Bougie, Christine - Guitar
DaCosta, Justin (Mr. Blends)- Emcee
Hughes, Daffydd - Keys
Martin, Amery (Abyss) - Emcee
McIntosh, Richard (RAM!) - Emcee/Producer
Shia, Howie (S.Pop) - Producer
Shia, Tim (Bok Sau) - Drums/Producer
Trask, Jordan - Drums
Vincent DePaul, Shan - Emcee
Zubeck, Nick - Guitar/Vocals/Producer
Discography
2009
- LEO37 & Sunclef - Applause - Writer, Performer
2007
- VARIOUS ARTISTS - PPF Basement Suite - Writer, Producer, Performer
2006
- LEO37 - Summer - Writer, Producer, Performer
- Worst Pop Band Ever - Thanks For Coming Out - Turntablist
- Urban Mythology - Cultural Cannibalism - Guest Writer/Performer on 'Good Morning'
2005
- Various Artists - Songs from the Bridge City - Compilation featuring 'Work it Out' from 'Winter'
- LEO37 - Winter - Writer, Producer, Performer
Links
| http://www.myspace.com/leo37 |