Yhan Leal

“Born the son of Colombian poverty. Reprised a migrant under Australia’s burnt sun. Raised by an angelic mother in wilderness scrub. The youngest of four brothers, I didn’t walk the path of a modern nuclear family. Seeking freedom from hardship. Scorched, my eyes and heart opened to a new way of living. Young and hungry I found my path in music.”

This is the story of Yhan Leal, a truly gifted musician with a powerful personal story. As a boy growing up in northern New South Wales’ backwater life wasn’t easy. Classical guitar came naturally, working his magic on Lennon, Elvis and Richie Valens. Writing his first compositions to suit his older brother’s poetry he nurtured a pure talent for songwriting.

Music marched through his teens and to the stage. The turmoil came too, and his path took route through buddhism and bouts of meditation. Having ridden the undulatory throws of life, a man emerges wise and courageous with music that moves those inescapably drawn into his circle.

There is no pigeon hole for Leal’s music, but if one was to categorise the genre it might well be Post Folk. Drawing similarities to luminaries Patrick Watson, Devendra Banhart, M.Ward and Sufjan Stevens.

In 2013 Leal independently released his debut EP Sail Home, followed up by his critically acclaimed ethereally haunting 2015 album Wilderness. He is currently working on his much anticipated third release, documenting the writing process via regular video updates online.

Leal resides in the peaceful Bellinger Valley. Career highlights include performing at the 2013 Mullumbimby Music Festival, main stage of the 2013/2014 Bellingen River Festival, and the 2015 Bello Winter Festival. Leal also spends countless hours busking and performs regularly at venues along the East Coast.