Whale Heart Records

Announcing "The Duchess Leo EP"

BROOKLYN, NY - Whale Heart Records is pleased to announce the release of the first EP by Brooklyn based recording artist Duchess Leo, "The Duchess Leo EP". Duchess Leo is comprised of Dan Ryan and Todd Buchler. The duo have been friends for most of their lives, having grown up a few blocks away from each other in the suburbs of New Jersey. It wasn't until the fall of 2007 that they would begin making music together. Initially Todd brought his experience and knowledge of electronic music, breakbeat and DJ culture; and Dan contributed the skeletons of songs he'd been writing for the better part of 10 years. The two recorded for a year resulting in a deep catalogue of material. Out of these songs shone the five that would be their first release, "The Duchess Leo EP". Recorded at The Armory in Brooklyn and mixed and mastered by Daniel Whitt at Metaltern Studios in Athens, Alamaba, "The Duchess Leo EP" is a masterful take on bedroom electronic pop music. Recommended for fans of The Notwist, Washed Out, Toro Y Moi and Eluvium.

Words About The Duchess Leo EP

The Duchess Leo EP is the first release by Todd Buchler and Daniel Ryan. The duo smoothly combines the skill sets of a vocalist/guitarist and a professional DJ -- Think Jose Gonzales meets Burial.  Todd and Dan are childhood best friends, with a library of amateur films from high school to prove it.  Their longstanding bond lends an intimacy to their music, through which emotion is unhidden and tangible.  Each song feels like taking an honest look back at memories both for their warmth and for what could have been.  Expect to feel lonely and confused, reminiscent and uplifted.  "Tucu Tucu" will make you dance and sing while sorely hinting about that friend almost turned lover.  "To Work" drives quickly through everyday mediocrity at street level.  Then the lens widens to appreciate the beauty of a world full of people lost in their thoughts.  "Cherry Blossoms" is an instrumental track for the Brian Eno fan in all of us.  The languid guitar and broad atmosphere make you feel slightly out of sorts yet at peace, as though walking underwater in a dream.  Each song on this debut EP is a character to stand on its own. Though together, these songs swim along beautifully, creating a perfect candidate for the "repeat" button on your iPod.

- Lily Meyer