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The Los Angeles based band Leap Year originally took root in 2007 when Drew Girton and Ken Erickson joined forces to record some songs they had collaborated on and enlisted the help of Jon Kofahl to engineer a demo for the two. Very quickly the three men recognized a creative synergy on a musical and personal level. Building on the success of the trio Steve Sudeth joined to complete the quartet. Ever since then, Leap Year has been bringing their unique blend of brit-rock and indie-pop to the Hollywood scene at such venues as The House of Blues on Sunset, The El Rey Theater, The Knitting Factory and The Key Club. Their shows exude a dedication to their craft as well as passion for honest rock-n-roll.
Music is a natural space for lead singer and guitar player Drew Girton to inhabit as his father, a concert pianist and music director, supported his musical talents at an early age in his hometown of Niles, Michigan. After years of piano and vocal training, Girton started playing guitar in 2001 in order to expand his musical horizons. Before Leap Year formed, Drew had put together several independent solo recordings of his original material.
Hailing from Champaign, Illinois Steve Sudeth, the drummer for Leap Year, was inspired early on to be a percussionist by his great uncle who was a drummer in a swing band that toured for the troops throughout World War II. With 17 years of experience, Sudeth has refined his own musical style through the combination of jazz training and heavy influence from fellow drummers Stewart Copeland and Dave Grohl.
Originally from Niagara Falls, NY lead guitarist Jon Kofahl began playing at age 12 when he discovered an old guitar under his parents’ bed. With the encouragement of his family, he studied various styles of guitar including classical and jazz, which he later taught to pay his way through college. His experiences in recording and engineering have had a heavy influence in creating the distinct sound of Leap Year. Prior to joining Leap Year, Kofhal was a member of the Los Angeles based indie-rock band Addison.
Growing up on a potato farm in Idaho Falls, Idaho Leap Year’s bassist Ken Erickson began playing piano at the age of six and started playing the bass guitar his freshman year of high school. Since learning various instruments (banjo, accordion, mandolin, and guitar) Erickson has played in many musical genres including classic rock, smooth jazz, and ska which have allowed him to play in Europe.
The four friends are dedicated to the lasting influence and power of Leap Year’s musical career. The band recently recorded a demo at New Monkey Studios and continues to perform throughout the Los Angeles area.
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