Leif Erikson
Leif Erikson are back with brand new single ‘Question Time’ – their first new material since 2019’s ’21 Grams Of Soul’ EP, and a taster of their incredible new EP to come.
Despite its richly classic feel, ‘Question Time’ tackles deeply contemporary concerns (as singer Sam Johnston explains). “Question Time is a bit of a heavier song for us. I think the intent and meaning behind the song warrants a bit more grit in the music. It’s mainly an observation of the climate crisis and the denial that many politicians seem to have around it. This bizarre lessaiz faire approach certain people are taking towards it is scary.
In a world where energy companies look as if they have politicians in their pockets, the outlook is pretty bleak. BP adverts saying things like ‘we see possibilites everywhere’ give me pause for thought, the hypocrisy of it is astounding.
The language in the song is quite hyperbolic, monsters and death, but I think it’s important to paint a scary picture at this juncture. Would you rather maintain a comfortable status quo and risk destruction or listen to the facts and make a better future for the people of the world? Rant over.“
Questions of the earth – and your place in it – have long concerned Leif Erikson: a quietly powerful London band who have spent the last four years drip-feeding a steady stream of stellar, affecting and uplifting alternative-rock songs. “Our output has been considered and fairly slow up to this stage,” summarises Sam. “I think we wish we could have been more prolific but our workflow and professional sidelines have made that difficult.” It is arguably, though, all these everyday frustrations that make Leif Erikson’s music transcendent: here is a band who always pack an emotional punch, and have come to embrace the struggle (creatively, economically, politically) inextricably linked with making music that’s this honest.
It seems timely, then, that on ‘Question Time’ a band that named themselves after an Icelandic explorer – who many believed may have beaten Christopher Columbus in setting foot on North American soil – extend their gaze to the world around around them. However bleak that view may sometimes seem, in Leif Erikson’s hands it’s never less than a beautiful sight.
