Leo Clarke

Originally published on Thursday, March 24
By Troy Buchanan

Folksy, with maybe just a hint of blues thrown in.

That’s how Leo Clarke describes his music, a simple yet tasty musical recipe found in his CD release “No Rewind.”

(PROGRESS PHOTO/ Troy Buchanan
Musician Leo Clarke paid a visit to the Rogers State University radio station 91.3 FM KRSC to discuss his latest CD release and play some of his music on-air.)

“I would say my music is more raw,” he said. “The music for ‘No Rewind’ was recorded live with just an acoustic guitar and a harmonica.”

Think Bob Dylan in the early days — Clarke’s music focuses on real life situations, “Day to day life,” he said.

“It’s about struggles,” Clarke explained, “and the things I have been through.”

Clarke is on his way to the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, and hitting a few clubs and musical venues on the way. Recently, Clarke was talking and singing on Rogers State University’s college radio station, KRSC 91.3 FM.

The 30-year-old Clarke sights some of his musical influences as Dylan, Neil Young, Eric Clapton and The Grateful Dead.

Clarke, who hails from Columbus, Ohio, got into music in college. It was while attending college on a baseball scholarship that he started to take his music more seriously, he said.

“For about ten years now I have really been focused on my music,” he said.

A popular performer in his neck of the woods, Clarke said he is hoping to gain a few more fans as he travels the Midwest and South performing his own music.

“I’m just trying to get out and share my music,” he said. “I needed to get away from the local music scene where I was really accepted and travel and play.”

Clarke, who was in sales before embarking on his musical career, said there was some trepidation about giving up the nine to five job and taking a chance on his music.

But, he said, so far “the music is speaking for itself. It just feels natural.”

Clarke’s CD “No Rewind” — which features his dog Squiggy on the cover — is available on his Web site at LeoClarkeMusic.com.
- Claremore Progress, Tulsa, OK

originally published 12/2/04

Leo Clarke’s first solo CD, No Rewind, is a sweet, sweet piece of work, a true solo work—guitar, vocal, harp—awash in a back porch snesibility that’s perfect at coffee cup or suds bottle time. Clarke frames his songs with sharp pick-and-strum craft. - UA NEWS, Columbus, OH