Prior to New Year’s vacation, I spent my lunch break at Grimey’s New & Preloved Music for a free in-store performance by singer/songwriter, Sonia Leigh, a new talent signed to Zac Brown’s record label, Southern Ground. Leigh has been opening for Zac Brown Band, promoting her album, 1978 December, which hit stores this past September.
Sonically, Leigh is giving the Country fan something a little spicier than they’re used to from a female artist; not quite “Redneck Woman” heat, but it certainly has a Joan Jett/Janis Joplin kick. Leigh’s voice has a gritty rock edge to it that sets her apart, and it comes with such power and technique, that there’s no second guessing why she is where she is today.
When asked about her original style for the Country format in a recent interview, Sonia stated, “I write and sing all kinds of music. I’m inspired by all kinds of music. I just actually downloaded some old Italian sonnets the other day, so whatever moves me is what I get into. When I’m writing, it’s about where I’m at and what moment I’m in. Music is universal and the categorization of it…I don’t pay attention to that, and I don’t let it separate my interests.”
Sonia Leigh shines in live setting. Whether it be in a record store of 30 or so spectators to a packed arena of thousands, when you hear that voice belt through the room, it makes you wonder, “how does she do this every night and not get laryngitis”?
The release, 1978 December, is a collection of songs that looks at life in a rear-view mirror through thirty(ish)-year-old eyes. It tells stories of the mistakes, scandals, and loneliness that comes with finally getting the hell out of your boring hometown and exploring the world. Suddenly, after living paycheck to paycheck for years and figuring out you’re not the same person you once were, that old hometown doesn’t look so bad after all.
Leigh’s portrayal isn’t a melancholy one though. Much like living as a twenty-something, there’s a ton of fun that goes along with the hardships; 1978 December has plenty of upbeat tunes, including barroom sing-a-longs and bluesy numbers.
Unlike most modern Country music, Leigh’s lyricism doesn’t spell everything out in a play-by-play, which leaves room for the imagination. That said, she doesn’t use obscure symbolism either; so a listener can let go, and the words and feel of the song paint a mental picture and memory on their own.
While 2011 was a monumental year for Sonia Leigh, things are only getting started. Coming up in 2012, Leigh has a gig with Willie Nelson and a slot on tour with Country-rocker and Grammy-nominated, Eric Church.
“That must be a gift from Santa Claus himself. I’ve been wanting to play with him for so long. Our writing is kind of aligned…we’re cut from the same crop in my eyes. We’re both kind of edgy. We like to rock ‘n’ roll, but we also have that tender place that we’re coming from,” Leigh says.
You can listen to 1978 December on Spotify, and the album is available for purchase on vinyl and via digital download at www.sonialeigh.com.
