FMH Presents:
Lost Leaders
with Byland and Morgan Johnston
Tickets: ADV $15 • DOS $25
21+
Lost Leaeders
In the spring of 2023 Lost Leaders’ Byron Isaacs and Peter Cole spent eight weeks in their upstate New York studio writing songs exploring desire and acceptance, which became their fourth full-length release aptly titled “Hungry Ghosts”. Isaacs, who also plays bass in The Lumineers, was able to take advantage of a break in their 2023 world tour to work on the album.They’ve created their most adventurous record to date. They co-produced themselves and Cole engineered and mixed. With its raw, almost barebones production, the record features intertwining guitars and keyboards but the centerpiece remains the duo's signature harmonies and interchanging lead vocals.The record also features musicians Lee Falco (Amos Lee) on drums and Will Bryant (Joan Osborne) on keyboards, as well as a beautiful string arrangement from producer Dave Baron on the track “Trying to Get Back Home."
The lead single “Gone So Fast” (out 8/12) is a song about standing in the aftermath of the end of a volatile relationship and dreaming of the future when jealousy and grief will no longer dominate. It’s a song about skipping to the part when we feel good again. This optimistic yearning is new territory for the duo to explore more personal experiences in their collective songwriting.
Lost Leaders was born in 2011 in Levon Helm’s barn in Woodstock, NY, where their eponymous debut album was written and recorded. Before the record was even mixed they played Midnight Ramble with Levon which essentially was their first gig as Lost Leaders and the album garnering critical acclaim.
“...a timeless sound that could have materialized just as easily in Laurel Canyon as in Woodstock, NY...a band out of time [and] perfectly in the now. ..” - Relix
“I love this album. I love it. I want to run out to the street and plug my earbuds into the nearest ears I can find and force them to listen to Lost Leaders…Among my top picks for this year...” - No Depression
The lead single “I’m Gonna Win” was picked up in heavy rotation by AAA station WXPK in White Plains, NY and from there it spread across the country. The follow up L.P., Promises Promises, was produced by David Baron (The Lumineers, Michael Marcagi, Meghan Trainor, Vance Joy).After touring on and off, the Jealous Sun EP emerged. The lead single “Long Way Down” was the most added song at Americana radio in June 2022 and landed in the top 100 nationally later that summer.
BYland
Byland is the moniker and last name of Seattle based, Albuquerque raised, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Alie Renee.
Alie’s cinematic, indie-rock sound is tethered by timeless songwriting and attentive production. Her music is grounded by vocally vulnerable moments that will move you to lean in. Her latest studio record, “Heavy For A While”, is "a little weird" and makes room for her intriguing and often offbeat arrangements to make a play.
After releasing “Gray” in late 2020, Byland received recognition from outlets like KEXP, American Songwriter, and Pop Matters, among others. The record was co-written with her partner, Jacob John and produced by Nathan Yaccino, along with additional mixing by Andy Park. Notable contributors alongside Alie include a lineup of powerful females - Jessica Dobson (Deep Sea Diver), Meagan Grandall (Lemolo), and Abby Gundersen.
After having spent two years in Albuquerque, Alie moved back to Seattle in early 2022. She, along with her four-piece band of seasoned musicians have toured from Texas to Seattle in September 2023 and 2014 in support of their latest record, "Heavy For A While" on Mother West Records.
"The passion for performing was palpable. Byland manages to prove you can have both emotionally vulnerable lyrics that sneak up on you like a gut punch and a lively performance that is brimming with fun. The beautiful blend is only enhanced by Alie Renee’s amazing vocal range, which is even better live than on the album."
- Sara Giza, Willamette Week
Morgan Johnston
Hailing from Rhode Island, Morgan Lane (aka Morgan Johnston) is an indie folk singer-songwriter stomping, strumming, speaking, and singing her way to empowering both herself and her listeners. Her lyrics are inspired by the natural landscape of places as much as by the emotional landscape of human experiences. While most often found singing with her guitar, Morgan is known to experiment with different stringed instruments and tunings as well as vocal arrangements on loop pedal. As a music therapist, she is constantly reminded of the healing power of the music she aims to share. When performing as a band with her delightfully talented friends, they are called Morgan Lane and the Passengers!