Ben Leece and his band, Left Of The Dial, have released a new single that takes the local artists’ sound in a completely new, and amazing, direction.
Big Red Black features performances from some of Leece’s best mates and contemporaries including Liz Stringer, William Crighton and Julieanne Crighton. It was produced by Adam Young, engineered by Tim Whitten and mixed by Matt Sherrod.
Lyrically, the song is inspired by colonial events that took place on Gamilaroi country, where Leece spent his childhood. And let us tell you, Big Red Black pulls no punches.
“Until Australia has a Treaty with its Aboriginal people, only then can we try and start to heal and move forward. The job doesn’t finish on January 27,” Leece said.
“We can’t just throw out a social media post one day a year, pat ourselves on the back and wonder why nothing has changed when the date rolls around again. It’s a 365-day-a-year job and as a country, we need to get uncomfortably honest with ourselves.”
Leece doesn’t hold back in his indictment of the wealthy elite either.
“The system ain’t broke, it does what it’s supposed to do” he sings.
Big Red Black is the first release for Leece under his full band title, Left Of The Dial.
Sonically the track rings out like a truth bomb delivered from another Aussie band known for kicking their fans in the guts with raw honesty – Midnight Oil.
Leece and his band sound urgent and angry on a track that offers a glimpse of a heavier sound we’ve never heard from the local artist before. And it’s a direction we hope heralds the future of what’s to come under the new moniker.
Big Red Black is the first release for Leece under his full band title, Left Of The Dial. The change of moniker is fitting because this is a full-band effort that demonstrates the collective strength of the musicians behind Leece.
Big Red Black is out now (check out the video below). You can catch Ben Leece & Left Of The Dial live at this weekend’s Gumball festival alongside acts like Mudhoney, Cable Ties, Paul Dempsey, the New Christs and Baby Animals. Visit thegumball.com.au for tickets and to find out more.
