motel void

TheFleok is a musical collective by Leo Jergovic, based in New York City. Recording and performing songs written by Jergovic, the music captures romantic endeavors in the big city through influences of alternative and punk rock.

MOTEL VOID: You’ve just released your new album pennies. Can you tell us more about the writing and recording process behind it?

THEFLEOK: Pennies is my first studio album under TheFleok. We recorded the album at CU Records, a student run recording studio at Columbia University. The primary band is Satchel Moore & Gui Matos (guitars), Carlos Murillo (drums) and Murat Gulcelik (bass).
I have a detailed post about the writing process, the intertwining of live shows and recorded music, and the meaning of the record at this link that I think is best for question.

MOTEL VOID: You’re the main songwriter and composer for TheFleok, but you collaborate with other artists as well. Could you elaborate on this kind of cooperation?

THEFLEOK: I am the main songwriter and composer behind TheFleok. I come up with the initial ideas and vignettes that turn into TheFleok songs, but collaborate intensively with a band to create our finished products. The band mentioned above (Carlos, Satchel, Gui, and Murat) are my primary collaborators. Usually, I reach out to one or a few of them with a basic vignette/idea and ask them to musically expand with their own personal instrument and help think about arrangement ideas. Also helps a lot to jam with them on these songs and play them live (in order to understand how crowds react). The songs are borne out of this, and we try to track our sessions with as many of us in the room as possible. The songs tend to evolve as we play more shows, for example, we’ve been recording “need your love” / “baby i need you” for a year as we continue to update everything.

MOTEL VOID: You’re based in New York City. How would you describe the local music scene at the moment? Do you feel like you’re part of it?

THEFLEOK: New York City is heavily entrepreneurial, personally driven, and ruthless. It’s the best place on earth. You have to reach out to venues, ask to play shows, connect with other artists, and take any opportunity you can find to engage in publicity. We are a part of the New York scene, primarily through venues and houses near school, and are hoping to expand into other parts of the city as we continue to grow.

MOTEL VOID: Are there any local venues or artists you’d recommend checking out?

THEFLEOK: Big fan of the east village scene: Pianos NYC, Berlin Under A, and Mercury lounge are some of my favorite venues and host some of my favorite concerts I’ve ever been to. Also love hopping around jazz spots in west village — Village Vanguard, Mezzrow into smalls, etc.

MOTEL VOID: Were you involved in any other musical projects before starting TheFleok?

THEFLEOK: I was involved in Ljam in high school, which was my first venture into songwriting / producing with my good friend and drummer Aaron Morgan. More amateur R&B / funk work, but a fond time in my songwriting / production journey.

MOTEL VOID: Who would you say are your biggest musical influences right now?

THEFLEOK: Old school alternative and punk rock. Think Velvet Underground, Iggy Pop, Violent Femmes, etc. Also big fan of shoegaze and dream pop — Slowdive, Beach House, etc.

MOTEL VOID: Are there any plans to tour in support of the new album?

THEFLEOK: TBD. We are looking to play as many New York shows as possible and beyond to support the record at the moment. If the opportunity to tour comes across our plate, we are absolutey up for it.