With a voice that hits you right in the feels and lyrics that come straight from the heart, Joe Leone is the kind of artist who’s not afraid to be vulnerable and authentic. Ascending quickly in the music world, the native Tinseltown force of nature continues to win the masses over with his edgy, no-nonsense vibe that fans can’t get enough of. In a world chock-full of fake and flash, Leone stands tall as a true beacon of realness. Our Joe Leone interview introduces you to the rising star.
Parlé Mag: Let’s hop into this latest single, “Where Have You Been” — how did this particular track come to fruition?
Joe Leone: “WHYB” is what I call the Avengers’ track from the album. Camper was on keys, my guitar player, Tony, played lead, I played acoustics, Felly wrote, and Sauce produced the whole record. It was a true team effort, and, wow, what a team to have!
Parlé Mag: How does “Where Have You Been” compare to or differ from your previous songs?
Joe Leone: This song feels like the heartbeat of my sound. R’n’B, but heavy on the Blues part. I’m chasing Ottis Redding when making songs like this. Some might not even call that song R’n’B, but you can’t listen without feeling something.
Parlé Mag: “Where Have You Been” also follows on the heels of “Over Under (Remix),” featuring Ne-Yo — talk to me a lil bit ‘bout this song…
Joe Leone: Crazy! I’m such a big fan of Ne-Yo. I grew up on his music, and it’s a kind of torch passing / cosign I only dreamed of before this. He was everything you want your musical inspirations to be on set, and I got to shout-out my producer, Sauce, for playmaking on this one.
Parlé Mag: Of course both selections come courtesy of your debut LP, Invited — conceptually, what does this title represent both to and for you?
Joe Leone: My entire team is made up of black folks. I consider myself the luckiest that I get to create authentically in an R’n’B / Soul space with the same people that literally built the genre. My label is mostly OG executives and creatives that have pioneered black musical excellence. To be working with people who helped create the same music that inspired me to have a voice of my own is a gift beyond what I feel I deserve…that being said, they roast me relentlessly for being the token white guy Invited to the cookout! I love it though, wouldn’t change a thing. Invited is also me welcoming the listeners into a love story if you listen to the songs in sequence. Love and human connection are my favorite things to make music about.
Parlé Mag: Invited is a JBR Creative Group [Eric Benét & Alison Ball’s label] project — What particular string of events actually led to this signing?
Joe Leone: I’ve been working with Alison Ball since I was a dirty construction worker with a dream. I’m just so lucky that she was the one who signed and developed Eric Benét back in the day at Warner Brothers. Ali is family to me and Eric, and when he got the opportunity to create a place for developing young musical talent, he immediately
brought her in to lead the charge. She was ready and willing, and told him, “let’s go, I have our first artist (me)!”
Parlé Mag: As a songwriter, where do you draw inspiration from?
Joe Leone: My life has been a pretty wild ride and has required me to learn so much about our relationship to each other. Human emotions are everything any creative needs to tap into something new and powerful. WE are the deepest well of inspiration.
Parlé Mag: Tell me about your musical beginnings. When did this journey start for you?
Joe Leone: My pops started playing organ at 4 years old. My mom sang in quartets and church, and as soon as I showed any type of musical talent or interest they were happy to support that creative spirit. I’m very fortunate for that support when I was young. I started singing in the church young since my Dad is a pastor. Around 4th grade, I started piano and picked up guitar on my own in middle school.
Parlé Mag: Growing up in Los Angeles, CA, who were some of your biggest influences?
Joe Leone: The L.A. R’n’B cats I found most inspiring were Tiffany Gouche, SiR, Iman Omari, SZA and Anderson .Paak. I found a lot of that music as I was graduating high school, and in my early 20’s. That’s the time I was first diving into production and songwriting.
Parlé Mag: How do you define your style?
Joe Leone: It’s a fresh take on R’n’B and traditional Soul music. I hope it sounds like the kind of music my inspirations and musical heroes would have been making if they had access to today’s technology.
Parlé Mag: What do you hope people take away from your music?
Joe Leone: Connection. Music has gotten me through so many moments of life where I didn’t have anything else that made sense. The heartbreak I was feeling was distant without a song that let me (to) feel it. The joy in my life was missing shine until a song would make it shine brighter. Music connects to our memories more clearly than any other art form. Songs can transport people into a new moment, or back to an old one, in an instant. I’m overwhelmed by how powerful that concept is as a musician.
Parlé Mag: Dream collaboration — who would it be?
Joe Leone: There are too many! If I had to pick one person from today’s music and also someone who influenced my sound as a singer, it would be Jazmine Sullivan. I didn’t know singing like that was possible til I heard her. It’s a unique tone, vocal mastery, creative choices, AND somehow classic tone and grit mixed in. That’s a once in a generation type of gift.
Parlé Mag: If you could play any venue in the world, where would it be?
Joe Leone: HOLLYWOOD BOWL! I’m from Burbank, so playing there is hands down the most important stage on my list of must plays. I’ve gotten to play iconic theatres and venues across the nation, and it’s incredible every time. Hollywood Bowl is just so nostalgic for me as a young creative in the part of L.A. I’m from.
Parlé Mag: How do you feel about the current state of R&B?
Joe Leone: It’s back! In a big way, young people are showing interest in musicality. R’n’B is one of the most musically challenging genres to play in. It’s almost like tricking an audience into loving difficult high concept music, through making melodies and lyrics that people can’t help but remember. That’s the magic to me, and I think there is a big push back to that version of musical creativity.
Parlé Mag: What’s the key to your longevity?
Joe Leone: I’m not chasing fame. Attention is currency in the age of social media and viral moments. Some people are amazing at being perceived as cool online, and I have a lot to learn from them. My longevity exists because I’m cool in real life. Trends change with the wind, but it can never replace the feeling of being around someone who is
fearlessly authentic.
Parlé Mag: Beyond music, what else, if anything, do you want to do?
Joe Leone: I LOVE cartoons and anime. Voiceover acting is my biggest side quest. I’m constantly playing with my ability to manipulate sound, so connecting that with a visual art form like that would be so much fun. I don’t love set life but I’m a big comedy fan, and being in some kind of comedic role on screen would be awesome. Even if I’m playing a caricature of myself. I love creative expression in all its forms, and keep an open mind on how I can play a role in that journey.
Parlé Mag: Biggest career moments so far?
Joe Leone: Touring with October London, Tamar Braxton, and Ro James. Life changing experience traveling through parts of the U.S. I’ve never even seen, let alone performed for. I wrote a song called “True Love” that went #1 on R&B Billboard with an amazing artist named J. Brown. My single “Over Under,” featuring Ne-Yo, is one of the coolest co-signs, outside of Eric Benét, that has ever happened.
Parlé Mag: What’s an average day like for you?
Joe Leone: Honestly, I’m just trying to chill and make music. See my family, my friends, find love. The reach my music is having is bigger than anything I believed would happen in my life. I’m a construction worker that a team of incredible people believe in. I’m either performing, creating, or just making time to be part of this big life around me.
Parlé Mag: How do you interact with your fans?
Joe Leone: My FAVORITE way to connect with fans is live shows and interview settings. There’s no feeling like delivering a musical experience for different rooms full of people. For better and for worse, all the rules are suspended. My freedom of expression encourages complete strangers to act up and feel things. That’s gangster.
Parlé Mag: Favorite and least favorite parts of this work?
Joe Leone: My favorite part of being an artist is making music with people who inspire me. My least favorite part of being an artist is what today’s industry says that means. I’m a creator that cares about music as a trade, and cares about how I wield this art. Though we’re living in an age of relentless “content” on social media being what defines your success as an artist. The powers that be don’t care about the direction of culture anymore, just the immediate ability to influence it into buying something.
Parlé Mag: What advice would you give to someone following in your footsteps?
Joe Leone: (laughs) … Don’t! I try my best to be a man that someone else can look up to, but I’ve also had a very unique path that led me to where I am today. All I can say is we’re just here to learn, so have grace for yourself and others along the way.
Parlé Mag: Five to ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
Joe Leone: I hope to create a family of my own, continued musical success both financially and creatively. I see all the people I love now being a part of that. I’m just grateful to be in a position of expecting 5-10 more years.
Parlé Mag: What’s next for you, Joe?
Joe Leone: God’s plan!!
Parlé Mag: Any parting words for our readers?
Joe Leone: Go listen to my music, and more importantly you gotta make it out to a show! Thank you for taking the time to see this.
