motel void

MOTEL VOID: You’re based in Tokyo, Japan. How would you describe the current music scene there? Do you feel that you’re part of it?

LEO HERRON: I grew up in Tokyo, but for the last six years I’ve been back and forth between Japan and California so mostly just sessions and shows here and there.

Decided to permanently settle here in June and got the band from 2015 back together, LOCALHEROES. We’ve just polished up a setlist and we’ll start playing shows early next year. I love the music scene here, I’d describe it as endless discovery. So many cool artists and venues and niches and styles and genres- it’s super inspiring.

MOTEL VOID: Could you name your favorite local venues and artists?

LEO HERRON: There’s so many. Paddy Isle and Boys Age are really great. Ruby Room is probably my favorite. I’ve been going there for 10 years. Mitsuki and Bonobo are awesome too, they’re electronic music venues. Oh, LIKE in Shirokanedai. Saw Connan Mockasin & Tex Crick there two months ago.

MOTEL VOID: You’ve just released your first new single ‘I Feel Good’. It’s truly beautiful, I must say I really admire your guitar skills! Will it be part of your first record?

LEO HERRON: Thank you so much! This is my first song out since my artist name change from ‘Leonard Herron’ to ‘Leo Herron’. ‘I Feel Good’ was written and recorded roughly a month after I released ‘Anima’ in 2021. I planned on including the track as part of my next album for late 2021. I finished two other songs along with ‘I Feel Good’ during that time, but I was so creatively exhausted. I gave up on the late 2021 album plan. So the song was just sitting there for two years. Decided to release it as a surprise. Will release a few more singles very soon, then maybe a record after that.

MOTEL VOID: Could you tell us more about the recording and writing process of your songs?

LEO HERRON: I usually work on songs entirely by myself from start to finish – the songwriting, arranging, sound design, recording, mixing, mastering. I think I prefer that way since it allows my songs the originality I’m aiming for. I was messing around with weird acoustic guitar tunings and came up with that fingerpicking line (I don’t remember what the tuning was, unfortunately). The lyrics, I improvised a bunch of vocal takes and cut up the parts I liked. Same with electric guitar. The drums were recorded by Ben Marmier and double bass by Maciej Sadowski, both fantastic musicians. There’s tape effects sprinkled throughout the song too.

MOTEL VOID: Your plans for 2024?

LEO HERRON: I’m going to drop Leo Herron merch for the first time next year. More single releases and possibly an album. I have an experimental electronic track I’m proud of in the works too. With LOCALHEROES, regular shows in the Tokyo area and a following record release. Playing sessions and solo acoustic gigs. Super excited for what’s to come!