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Album Leaf

Begun as the solo project for classically trained multi-instrumentalist James LaValle, post-rock instrumental band the Album Leaf has come into its own as a musical entity no longer in the shadow of its roots. The name iself is a nod to LaValle’s musicianship (with its reference to the Chopin piano piece Album Leaf in E major), a talent that has led him through collaborations with bands such as the Black Heart Procession, Triztero and GoGoGo Airheart, and to write songs for much lauded contemporaries Conor Oberst and Mark Bianchi (of Her Space Holiday). After grabbing the ear of Sigur Ros in the early 2000s, LaValle spent the next few years supporting the Icelandic band on numerous tours. Last year’s release Into the Blue Again (Sub Pop) put LaValle on exclusive conceptual and instrumental duties, but Album Leaf’s live performances bring a full band and live visuals, with lights and projections creating a mesmerizing multi-media show. See them at Soundlab on Wednesday (May 16) at 9pm with Young Galaxy (featuring members of Stars) and the Sleeping Kings of Iona