“Music today sounds very generic. Many artists sound the same—they might be "trendy" now, but they’ll be irrelevant in a few years. For me, the music from the '60s and '70s always carries a sense of urgency and feeling that remains timeless.”

Leif de Leeuw: The Blues Rock Lands

The Leif de Leeuw Band is Europe’s finest southern jam band. Leif was awarded best blues rock guitarist of the Benelux nine times in a row and singer Sem Jansen is the winner of the tv-show ‘Hit the Road’. The band, consisting of six musicians, gives you a show full of amazing guitar solo’s, two duelling drummers, exploding hammond sounds and strong storytelling songs with plenty of space for improvisation. In the last years they’ve built up an international reputation by touring through Europe, the USA and China. After they did an Allman Brothers Tribute tour in the Netherlands and Europe in 2018 and 2019 it became clear what their new musical path should be. A formation with two drummers, a hammond, bass guitar, two electrical guitars and a Sem’s raspy vocals. Every song holds space for solo’s and improvisation which makes every show unique. Their sound could be described as a fine mix of rock, blues, Americana, country and southern rock combined with heartfelt lyrics and a nice 70’s vibe. For the lovers of the Allman Brothers Band, DeWolff, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Little Feat, Warren Haynes, Gov’t Mule and Derek and the Dominos it’s a must to see a show by the Leif de Leeuw Band.

(Leif de Leeuw / Photo © by Lotte Kobus)

Leif de Leeuw started taking guitar classes when he was nine years old. Two years later he went to a Johnny Winter concert in Paradiso, where he realized he wanted to play that music too. He focussed on nothing but the Blues and played every single song of Robert Johnson, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In 2009 he competed in the Sena Guitar Awards and he won. The year after american guitarist Sonny Hunt asked him to join his band, The Dirty White Boys, on a Dutch tour. In 2013 Leif won the Sena Guitar Awards again. Meanwhile he started studying pop-guitar at the Codarts Conservatory in Rotterdam. Leif has had the opportunity to play with some big names like Tony Spinner, Stochelo Rosenberg and Henrik Freischlader. Leif’s playing is influenced by artists such as Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, Derek Trucks, Larry Carlton, Joe Walsh and Jimmy Herring.

Interview by Michael Limnios                     Special Thanks: Arja Stam (DDA Agency)

How has the Blues and Rock music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?

I’m not sure if the blues and rock genres have changed the way I view the world. But I do know that when I discovered blues music, it felt like a breath of fresh air. I was ten years old when I first heard Johnny Winter, Muddy Waters, and Robert Johnson. Until then, I had been playing classical guitar, where it felt like I had to follow all the rules.

Blues music gave me the urge to play more freely and showed me that anything was possible on the guitar. Up until that point, I had never improvised—and that was exactly what made blues guitar so fascinating to me. It gave me a sense of complete freedom within the music I wanted to create. Looking back, I think that was the beginning of developing my own style.

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique and soul?

Good music should be technically well put together to some extent. But it must come from a genuine place—if it doesn’t, it will never truly interest me. Authenticity is what brings soul to the music. That authenticity comes from an individual who lays themselves bare on stage or in a recording. This can only happen if you’re honest with yourself as an artist or musician.

At the same time, to present yourself as best as possible, you need solid technique to rely on. These two elements—soul and technique—are inseparable; one cannot exist without the other.

”Never confuse your path with someone else’s. Don’t try to copy others—let them inspire you instead. Your path is unique and will always be. You must walk your own way, gaining confidence as you go and holding on to it.” (Leif de Leeuw, one of the finest European blues rock guitarists / Photo © by Lotte Kobus)

Why do you think that Southern Rock/Blues music music continues to generate such a devoted following in Europe?

People love authentic, well-played music without any nonsense. I believe the key factor here is that people simply want to hear good music—pure and straightforward. In quality blues rock, you can’t fake the ‘feel’ and ‘touch’—it has to be genuine in both your lyrics and your sound.

If you have that as a band or artist, you’ve tapped into something universal. And when you do, it doesn’t matter where you want to build your following—it can work anywhere!

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

Over the past twelve years, we have mainly been touring across Europe with our own music. About a year and a half ago, we connected with Berget Lewis—arguably the best singer in the Netherlands, maybe even in Europe. We started playing music together and launched a joint project, which led to a club tour across the Netherlands. Both of our names are on the poster, and we perform her music, our music, and the songs we’ve written together.

This has been an exciting development for us because it gives us a new role and proves that, as a band, we excel in a different context with another lead vocalist. It’s given us a huge boost of motivation as a group!

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

Music today sounds very generic. Many artists sound the same—they might be "trendy" now, but they’ll be irrelevant in a few years. For me, the music from the '60s and '70s always carries a sense of urgency and feeling that remains timeless. Sure, that music is dated, but I don’t mind. There’s something magical about the music created in a time when there were no smartphones or digital recording equipment. There was no room for bullshit—and I believe that for true music lovers, there never will be.

So, I’m not too worried about the future. People will always love well-played, live music.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Never confuse your path with someone else’s. Don’t try to copy others—let them inspire you instead. Your path is unique and will always be. You must walk your own way, gaining confidence as you go and holding on to it.

”Blues music gave me the urge to play more freely and showed me that anything was possible on the guitar. Up until that point, I had never improvised—and that was exactly what made blues guitar so fascinating to me. It gave me a sense of complete freedom within the music I wanted to create. Looking back, I think that was the beginning of developing my own style.”

(Leif de Leeuw / Photo © by Lotte Kobus)

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music in today’s society?

Blues music is woven into almost every genre that came after it in one way or another. The feel, soul, and authenticity of the blues are reflected time and time again. In an age where many aspects of life are fragmented and scattered, it's refreshing to return to the core of music—and that core is often the blues. We will always keep that spirit alive!

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