Dree Leer is a 3-piece rock band hailing from Birmingham, Alabama. Through a deafening display of loud guitar, bass, and drums this new act promises to make you jump up and take notice
Interview conducted March 30, 2021
By Dan Locke
Formed in Birmingham, AL by Lo along with friends Mandy Graffeo (bass) and Mikey D (drums), Dree Leer delivers an unhinged, heavy alternative pop sound that pays homage to the familiar sounds of the’ 90s guitar rock behemoths, but also forges its own path by injecting its songs with relevant social commentary and themes of women empowerment.
What is your upbringing?
Jackie Lo: I was born in Libertyville, Illinois. Both of my parents were born and raised in North Chicago and my dad’s work brought us to the South.
How did you discover music?
Music was always big with both of my parents, and I cut my teeth musically by digging through my parents record collection. It was filled with Beatles, Zeppelin, Simon & Garfunkel, Carly Simon, Cat Stevens, and so many great albums I still love. My mom would always play the “Name That Tune” game with me in the car and make me guess who was on the radio all of the time too.
How did you start to write music?
Actually, I started late writing music. I was a classical musician (flute) studying music performance through college. I didn’t pick up an instrument that you plugged in until after that when I started a three piece all girl 1/2 punk, 1/2 riot girl, 1/2 we didn’t know what we were doing band. I know that’s three halves but the three of us had never been in bands (we didn’t know better). Through that process I became the main songwriter by default. It was something I really enjoyed, and found it a great outlet for my writing after school was over.
Jackie-How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
It was a birthday present from my partner. I absolutely still have it! It’s a tv yellow double cutaway Les Paul Special named “Old Yeller” and she’s a beauty.
Jackie-What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model? And does it have a name?
It’s a Southside Custom Guitar based on a Moserite with P-90s that I’ve had for three or four years. She does have a name and it’s “Pinky Tuscadero”. I LOVE her!
Jackie- Tel me about your song “Circles”?
“Circles” is a sappy little love song that I wrote 10 years ago as a solo project under Jackie Lo. Thinking of running around and looking for love and doing everything you shouldn’t do until you find the right line…. the right one that takes you out of that cycle. I can’t believe that album “Until I’m A Ghost” turns 10 this year!
Mandy- “Tell me about “Without Consent”?
Without Consent is loosely based on a personal experience but an experience I know many women share – Acquaintance Rape. Most sexual assaults are perpetrated by someone the victim knows and these assaults are the ones most likely to go unreported. I wrote this around the time we watched yet another privileged, white male get a slap on the wrist for a violent sexual assault. So many women were speaking up and sharing their stories and it inspired me to share mine.
How did your band form?
After the Jackie Lo project I worked on a handful of other projects all the while finding myself writing songs here and there until I had collected a handful of songs that felt good enough to stand on their own as a new project. I called Mandy who played guitar at the time and asked if she’d ever played bass before and if she wanted to play together a little bit and feel these songs out. Mikey, who is a badass drummer in town, joined us later and solidified the lineup. We are SUPER LOUD and Mikey’s bombastic drumming was exactly what we needed.
How did you get your bands name?
Dree Leer was my AOL Instant Messenger and online alter-ego name from when I first got a computer in the 90s. Leer meaning “look or gaze in an unpleasant way” and Dree meaning “endure”, The angsty teen (and now adult) definitely feel connected with the idea of women having to endure unwanted and unpleasant looks.
Describe your music.
I like to think of it as “oh damn that’s not a girl and an acoustic guitar singing about her feelings”. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just a full scene. I want people to just say “F*%K” that was badass! We are heavy, melodic, and ready for a street fight PARTY!
3 years ago, you played your first show. What was that performance like?
Our first show was at Saturn, an amazing premiere venue in Birmingham, and we were thrilled. It was exhilarating because it was a new project and no one in the audience had ever heard any of the songs. It was a little nerve-racking too because we weren’t great yet but the energy was so great in that room that we’d play that show over and over again.
How was it to play NYE at the end of 2018?
Playing at The Nick on a holiday is a rite of passage for every musician in Birmingham. Christmas and New Year’s Eve are especially coveted gigs and I can’t tell you how many holidays and new year’s I’ve rung in there because friends were playing a show. This was an all-local line up and a ton of fun getting to play music and ring in the New Year all in one night.
You did Welcome to Monotonia. Are you ready for SXSW?
We love all of the folks that put on Monotonia and we’d love to spend some time in Austin! But maybe one more year away from feeling good in that amazing giant crowd.
Royalties never appear like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work undertaken by a PRO to ensure that their members are getting paid. If you’re not yet signed up to a Performing Right Organization like ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, you may not be receiving all the royalties you deserve.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
I’m with BMI but I sure like saying the word SESAC… SESAC… SESAC…
What makes a good songwriter?
I don’t know. What makes a good pizza? It’s so subjective that I think it just depends on what tastes good to you.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
“Sneaking Out”. Never recorded. I don’t think it should ever be recorded.
What is the process of writing your music?
It’s usually just me alone in a room with a guitar trying to figure out if I can find something that feels and sounds right. If something sticks, I’ll record it on my voice recorder on my phone. I have dozens and dozens of little snippets of ideas. As the idea turns into a song, I’ll send the voice recordings to the rest of the band and see what they think and we’ll bring it to practice and bang it out and figure out how to make it work live.
Do you know if Iggy Pop has heard your version of I Wanna to Be Your Dog?
Ha. I doubt it since like 8 million people have covered that song. I would love to know if Kim Gordon has heard it though.
Tell me about your studio album “Throw Hands”, which comes out April 30th?
We started it right at the beginning of COVID and finished it at my house while social distancing. Luckily, my partner is a producer and mastering engineer so we were able to do everything we needed to do from the house.
Even recording, we play at 11, so I’m sure our neighbors were really happy when we finally got this one in the can. Every album has its challenges but I feel fortunate that I had time over quarantine to have a creative outlet.
What is your favorite track on your album?
I think “Want It All” is my favorite song because it feels so good to play that song live and we usually end our shows with it just full of feedback and noise. We opened the album with it because it is such a nice punch to the face. But I do have a soft spot in my heart for “Runaway” too.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
It’s definitely complicated and we’ll probably never see a dime from streaming.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag. Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
I think it’s an interesting thought that some people may only know them as “hashtags”. Coming from a classical music background, I will always know them first as sharp signs. I’m sure there’s a funny joke in there somewhere, but it’s late
Digital vs. vinyl?
It’s hard to argue that a digital flac file doesn’t sound amazing but it will never replace the feeling of sitting cross-legged on the floor with the green glow of the stereo lighting up the giant artwork as you flip a record.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
PJ Harvey “Long Snake Moan”. I’ve been so happy that PJ has reissued her catalogue on vinyl this last year. I’ve been waiting since 1995 to own this song on vinyl and it was worth the wait. Her delivery. The guitar and bass tones. Her demand for power and control. Everything about this song speaks to me. It’s a perfect song and one of my favorite driving with the windows down while singing full volume songs.
You were set to open up for Against Me! Then the virus hit. What were you thinking at that time?
Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit.
Laura Jane Grace is such a role model to us and we were super bummed this got cancelled. We really hope to revisit that
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Live music is like Michael Jordan during Game 5 of the 97’ NBA finals. Enough said.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Well, finishing this album has definitely kept me busy. I do a radio show too so I’ve kept busy listening to new music and putting together playlists each week. Catching up on older shows that weren’t around when DVR and Netflix were a thing like Veronica Mars and Buffy the Vampire Slayer has been fun.
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?.
Lots of walks with the dogs and I got a stationary bike that I can ride while catching up on the above tv shows. Cooking at home helps. Oh, and lots of Epsom salt hot baths
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I’ve personally learned how to make some amazing homemade bagels, pickles, and tiramisu…three things I’d never made myself until this year. My partner has become a part-time pastry chef during quarantine so the kitchen has been full of surprises. I’ve rediscovered my love of gardening too. I’d been too busy the last few years to do a garden.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I don’t know. I feel Facebook aging out already. Everyone has had to adjust in these times and if this is how they adjust then there will be another format that will fit the needs.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Maybe I’m overly optimistic but I think the fans are ready to come back and live music is right around the corner. The personal content that bands have been able to share during quarantine has humanized us all a little more and I’ve loved being able to see new content, the inside of their houses as they post videos, and still getting a ton of great new releases while we’ve all been locked down.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
You got my check, right? Just kidding. We’ve never been asked to pay for anything but I do know it exists.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Are you talking chem trails and 5G? I know my tv has 4k!
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.” Do you think this will save music venues?
Anything we can do now will help. We’ve already lost too many. It may be too little too late but we have to try.
Did you know that the Grammys MusicCares can help artist? The MusiCares COVID-19 Relief has helped thousands of music industry artists and professionals during these difficult days. This is the most recipients helped, for any single event, in MusiCares’ history. The need remains great, and these unique times remain critical for music people. It has taken a community uplifting one another to get through this pandemic, and MusiCares has pulled together a list of additional organizations and resources to further support
No, we have not applied for it.
In the past if a musician stop doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
Maybe I’d become an architect or a designer.
What is your happy place?
I have lots of happy places from as simple as my bed with my down comforter and my pups snuggling to a porch with a view…of the ocean…of the lake…of the mountains.
A lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artist based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning.
Do you think you would be willing to sale your back catalog if someone like Universal is will to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs? Another factor is mortality.
The short answer is, if we’re talking $300 million dollars…of course. Unfortunately, my is worth a few dollars.
Spotify’s ‘Stream On’ event on Monday (February 22), the company confirmed that more than 60,000 new tracks are now being ingested by its platform every single day. This means people are added new tracks uploaded to its platform every 1.4 seconds.
The figure, announced by Spotify’s co-Head of Music, Jeremy Erlich, means that across the course of this year, approximately 22 million tracks will be added to Spotify’s catalog. Spotify confirmed in November last year that its platform now played host to around 70 million tracks.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.
But still back at the beginning of the year Spotify deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. What do you think what that could mean to independent artist?
Eventually, corporate greed takes over and pushes the little guys out. Look to Bandcamp and Soundcloud and a bunch that hasn’t even been invented yet.
Danny Wimmer Presents just announced their 2021 Festival Calendar: Which includes the following live shows:
DWP Partners with Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival for July 23-25 Event in Mansfield, OH
Louder Than Life Set for September 23-26 With Newly Added Thursday Night Celebration in Louisville, KY
Welcome to Rockville Expands To 4 Days and Shifts from Spring to November 11-14 In Daytona Beach, FL
Aftershock Set for October 7-10 In Sacramento, CA, Almost Sold Out
Would you be willing to play these shows and what precautions would you like to have in place?
For us personally, we’re ready to do outdoor shows in the fall especially if things keep going the way we think they’re going. But I reserve the right to change my mind completely. It’s a fluid situation. I’d like to see vaccinated people being safe and masks if it’s crowded. Somewhat limited capacities and following whatever the CDC guidelines are by the time these shows occur.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Thanks for the thoughtful questions. Thanks for not asking what it’s like being a girl in a band. Thanks for including and listening to us.
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