Music Interview with The Leaky Diamond

August/September 2009 Edition



By: Isaac Davis Jr., BGS, MBA

When I first heard the music of this next group, I was instantly mesmerized by the haunting vocals of Casey Grimes. The way his voice mixes with the many wonderful and strange sounds that are heard throughout The Leaky Diamond’s music is amazing. One of my favorite tracks titled Time is Freed signals to fans what type of experience they are going to have with this band. Aimee Lynn is the perfect addition to the band with her incorporation of the violin mixing harmoniously with Casey's vocals. If you want to experience something new, refreshing, and exciting, then check out the music of The Leaky Diamond. You will not be disappointed.

Isaac: What’s the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name? Have you changed the band’s name before?

Casey: Our name is The Leaky Diamond. It is a gemology term for an imperfectly cut diamond that leaks light. I just like the idea of the most perfect substance in the world still being imperfect. This is the only name we have gone by.

Isaac: What a great story!

Isaac: What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?

Casey: I consider it a mix of folk, shoegaze and psychedelic music. Aimee coined the term "spacefolk" for it. I'm heavily influenced by My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Cocteau Twins and others.

Aimee: It's spacey folkrock. I'm influenced by Spiritualized, PJ Harvey, Beethoven.

Isaac: How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?

Casey: About 11 years. We met through a mutual friend back then.

Isaac: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?

Casey: I was hearing a lot of melodies in my head that I needed more than one person to do, so I asked Aimee and she thought it would be fun, so here we are. The violin goes really well with my songs. We've played together since 2008.

Isaac: Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any music organizations?

Casey: No label deal yet, but we are hoping someone will pick us up someday.

Isaac: What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever’s available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference?

Casey: I use an Ibanez Artwood AW-100 acoustic guitar that I have a pickup in. It's a less expensive guitar that plays well. I don't need a high end acoustic as I process the sound so much anyways. I run the guitar through several different guitar pedals typically used for electric guitars to get unique sounds. I'm a heavy user of reverb on guitar and vocals. I also like many different Boss distortion and overdrive pedals. The amp I use now is a Vox AC30 which is an electric guitar amp. Basically, I use things in ways you're not supposed to use them. Fun.

Aimee: I play on a German violin made in 1898... I chose this instrument while in college studying classical music. It was the best deal out of the violins I tried out. The pedals I use are ones that work well for our sound. It took forever to find a distortion pedal that would work well with the acoustic violin with a pickup as opposed to an electric violin.

Isaac: Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

Casey: We have performed around here regionally and I performed some in California and Arizona when I used to live there. I prefer performing in more intimate settings like smaller clubs, coffeehouses and art galleries. Our music just relates better that way. We always have shows coming up. You can check out schedule out at www.myspace.com/theleakydiamond.

Aimee: My favorite venues are the ones where people enjoy what we are doing. It doesn't matter if it is a bar, club, coffeehouse, garden, etc... I just like to know that someone is listening and liking what they hear.

Isaac: Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?

Casey: We perform mostly my originals. Our few covers right now include songs by Mazzy Star, Wilco and The Verve. Our set list changes from show to show depending on the crowd we are playing to and we are always adding newly written material.

Isaac: Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?

Casey: I write the songs and lyrics. I can hum a melody for Aimee and she will just go with it. Sometimes she'll just start playing something over something I've written and it will fit perfectly. The lyrics I have written have mostly been personal in nature. They been inspired by relationships, people and situations I've found myself in. Some are the viewpoints of characters that I just make up in my head while others are based on dreams I've had or poetry I've written. I do think the topics will change as I get older, experience more and view things in a different way.

Isaac: Could you briefly describe the music-making process?

Casey: I usually set aside a little time aside each day to work on writing. Sometimes it comes to me and other times it doesn't. I'm just patient and wait for the song to emerge. One I have it; I will take it to Aimee during practice to work out her parts.

Isaac: What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?

Casey: Aimee and I generally practice once or twice a week as we are busy with lots of things and other projects. There is nothing spontaneous about our rehearsals.

Isaac: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?

Casey: It's definitely gotten more complex, tight and together as we've gotten to know each other musically. We are working in other elements now besides just guitar and violin.

Aimee: I think we have really gotten to know each other musically and it is easier now to quickly come up with appropriate parts.

Isaac: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

Casey: Our biggest challenge is that we don't easily fit into categories. People love categories. We aren't rock and we aren't folk. It's hard for people to know what to make of us sometimes because we are doing what WE like and feel. Some people don't like us because of this. We just don't care about that.

Aimee: We're not a cover band or a standard rock band and some people don't appreciate the difference as much as we do.

Isaac: What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?

Casey: Fame and fortune? No. I want to have fun with music always and make a little money off of the good time I am having with it. I want to keep writing and recording until I run out of things to say and play.

Aimee: Just having a good time and hopefully inspiring others to have a good time too. Music is the universal language and I hope ours spreads peace and happiness throughout the world.

Isaac: What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?

Casey: Do it and to thine own self be true. Screw your critics.

Aimee: Just do it and don't worry about what other people think.

Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?

Casey: You can check us out at www.myspace.com/theleakydiamond. We also have a 5 song EP called, "Five Bedroom Demonstrations" and we are due to record another EP in November.

Isaac: Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?

Casey: I'd like to thank my parents for putting up with me all these years. They've been cool about my love for music.

Aimee: My parents, especially my mother who has always encouraged my musical growth as well as friends and other family members. I don't know where I would be without these people.

Isaac: Any last words?

Casey: Not yet.

Aimee: Just that I wish I could play a tune here that would put a smile on everyone's face.