Singer-Songwriter Leonardo Prakash’s debut album: Dry Leaves
- Spirit Voyage
- Oct 27, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 2
In his debut singer-songwriter album, Dry Leaves, French-Mexican musician Leonardo Prakash draws from influences in West African, Turkish, and Latin folk with roots in American rock to create an earthy, intimate, and captivating sound. In a profound expression of his philosophies, travels, and outlook on the world, this multi-instrumentalist-turned-singer has built an eclectic musical environment of lyrics and songs adorned with diverse instruments from around the world.
In the following interview, Leonardo Prakash shares with Spirit Voyage about his recording process, the evolution of his music and the collaborators involved in this magical project.
How would you describe the evolution of your music from your last album to this album?
Well, personally it is a huge transformation. I feel that I'm still in the same galaxy but on a different planet when I play this new music. Normally my voice was the Sitar, and now even the structure of the music is different. Now the voice comes literally from within, and the message is clear and concrete.
We could say that the central sun of the music I play is rhythm, at least that is how I see it. Rhythm connects both planets and gives coherence to the musical line I have been following these last years, and even more from the music I was doing in the past to this new album.
Do you have any particular story you would like to share about the writing/recording of this album?
It is hard to pick one from all those universes I have been in while writing and recording this album. But on a big scale, when I look back to that chapter of my life, I realized I started this project with a deep calling for something new, and to deliver a message. I was walking in a new territory, of course feeling trust but with tons of uncertainty. I discovered many things after this, but two of these discoveries are always present: the first one is that all those messages I wanted to give out to the world were really destined for me. Realizing that I can't really please everyone, especially in music, it is a self-discovery act in every step. I had to do it for myself so that it can touch others.
The second one is that I discovered that I have a huge potential inside but never really dare to see it. It was my first experience in making an album alone, with no opinions or help.
So I had to trust my gut in every step. And besides the technical aspect which you can always figure out, it was the arrangements, concept, decision making that challenged me the most. But in the moment I felt empowered and gilded.
Now I know that we all can do much more than what we think of ourselves. And I can't wait to discover more of that (I call presence) fresh, infinite and more important available for all who dare.
Can you share about the artists who participated with you in this album?
I am a really lucky guy, in every way but when it comes to music I feel extremely lucky. In the musical aspect I had dear friends and amazing musicians participating on this album. Actually with the drummer Thomas Chignier @akulta.sound we also did the analog mixing, super talented guy, on the base I had @LastJeronimo one of my favorite musicians. My beautiful sister Sylvaine Nieto Joly recorded a big part of the back up vocals. I also had Bogdan Djukic playing the violin for the focus track Dry Leaves, he has played in every single one of my albums and besides his magic in music, I intend to continue with the tradition.
But not only in the music aspect I had wonderful artists working with me, also in the visuals we created for this project. Alejandro Gala was the first one for "Keep the Faith". He is this extremely talented young man who I think does it all. I actually wore many of his pieces of jewelry. But just by looking at the video you can feel his sensitive eye.
"Éclair" was super special. The footage was recorded by Alina Sieber. I've known her since she was 2 years old, and she is the daughter of two of my closest friends. And besides discovering her talent with the camera, it was super special to discover her as a young adult.
Then for "Bring Up Water". In concept and idea was my brother Igor Nieto Joly (also extremely talented) . He came up with the idea, the only thing I had to do was to find a Studio in Lyon France, he was able to talk to the cameraman from the studio to guide him in what he had to do. He was also the editor of all three videos by the way. Is also a tradition! Hahaha.
Would you say each one of your songs is inspired by your own life experiences? Is there one song or story that stands out to you?
Not all of them for sure. Many of them come just like that, in a moment of inspiration, and many come through my own experiences. And sometimes both.
Dry leaves is a good example. Few hours before I recorded it, I found out that a very dear friend lost her father. I've had death near me all my life, but somehow this time it touched me deep in my bones. It was someone I had dated in the past and I was with her when the cancer was detected. I could see the deep connection she had with her father, just as I have with my father.
So when she told me he passed away, I could feel her emotions and I could listen where she was in that moment.
I do not see death as the end of something, I see it just as a transformation or evolution into something different and new, or perhaps is going back somewhere, but in every life you go back to this somewhere wiser and a little bit more complete.
The point is that after talking to her and feeling her space and the overwhelming emotion she was going through, I immediately took my guitar and sang this song with no thought. Few minutes later I went to my studio and recorded it straight, first take, as raw as it gets.
Do you have any other creative influences that inspire your work (artists, poets, authors, filmmakers, designers, etc)?
Yes, every day a new one haha. But really I get inspired by filmmakers a lot, every time I see a movie or a TV show that moves me, I always have the same thinking process. First I am amazed by how they could deliver this beauty, or message or whatever they did. Considering the amount of work and stress I go through making an album, I just can't imagine when it comes to films, the amount of time poured is crazy. It is passion, love and dedication from the crew.
Also comedy I love. Someone who can make me laugh about the most innocent or offensive aspects of life and also make me reflect deeply or even cry, for me that is a kind of magician.
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