Fronted by female African American rock singer Tyler-Simone Molton, Atlanta indie band Lesibu Grand (pronounced Le-SEE-boo Grand) has released its first music video from debut single “Hush, Hush.”
Produced by LA-based disc jockey/producer Christian James Hand (The Mowglis), the song explores the nuances of self-doubt and insecurity in the modern, overly connected world, and draws on the musical stylings of The Motels, Blondie, and Berlin.
Formed in 2017, Lesibu Grand is an indie rock band that mixes a dash of soul and Latin flavors with its influences from the NYC new wave scene (Blondie, Talking Heads) and 90s alt-rockers (Pixies, Green Day).
It fuses punk, pop, and rock into a refreshing modern sound in songs that explore the unexpected joys, sharp anxieties, and beguiling mysteries that we all face.
The band takes its name from Tyler-Simone’s middle name, given to her by her South African maternal grandfather, is distinguished by Tyler-Simone’s warm, ethereal vocal style.
Tyler-Simone grew up in a diverse neighborhood in the suburbs of Atlanta, a somewhat conventional-looking place with a surprising degree of creative vitality. Though she Outkast, Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne, Tyler also hung out with punks, metalheads, and indie kids.
She also loved listening to late-70s new wave bands like Talking Heads and Blondie, punk bands like the Clash, and 90s rockers Green Day, and Nirvana. She did not cling to one genre as her identity.
Lesibu Grand is rounded out by co-founder and with Molton, principal songwriter, John Renaud on bass, Brian Turner on guitar, Lee Wiggins on drums, and Chris Case on keyboards.
Subsequently, the band is also releasing its second single, “Miranda.”
Inspired by the later Pixies records, “Bossanova” and “Trompe le Monde,” “Miranda” explores the vulnerability and durability of modern love. Love struggles to stay fresh in the unrelenting grind of everyday life but thrives in the world of fantasy.
Lesibu Grand has shows in Atlanta coming up on Saturday, May 18 at the Kirkwood Spring Fling; Friday, August 2 at 529 with Gringo Star; and Saturday, Sept 14 at 529 with The Channel 3.
