Leaving Lifted brings the good vibrations and a nug of Reggie to ROX-TV. We talk about the music, roots, and the new release “Rosie Honey”

I understand that Leaving Lifted is a reggae/dub/ska/funk band from Michigan. I’ve read that the group started to really come together around 2011 and by April of that year, the band was getting ready to perform their debut show at the Crofoot Ballroom in Pontiac Michigan. If you could tell the ROX-TV readers a little about how the band came together and formed? Once the group formed, how did that first debut show come about? What was it like?

Leaving Lifted formed when Sean and Marty linked up their freshman year of college. They started playing bass/drums together and working through ideas. They both wanted to play Reggae and had a true passion for it, but hadn’t met anyone until then willing to dive in. In search of a guitarist that could deliver the styles they were starting to combine, they met Tony Chambers through mutual friends/musicians. Debuting at The Crofoot Ballroom was a great way to start the band’s career, and was a huge opportunity for us. We only had a couple weeks to put together an original set, but we made it happen. We operated as that lineup for about 5-6 years until Marty’s cousin, Steve joined as the full time lead singer. From there, we acquired a lead guitarist (also named Steve) and just in this past year added Eric Mazurak on Keys and guitar. It was great being a 3 piece, but having the full crew really fills our sound out and makes a massive difference.

After the debut things started to happen rather quick for the group, being invited to hit the road to head over to legendary Atlantic City for a show set up by Elephant Talk Indie Music Magazine. What was it like hitting the road and getting some serious movement right out of the gate? What do you remember the most from that early experience on the road? Any valuable lessons learned for the future in those early days?

Hitting the road as a fresh band of about 4-6 months was really exciting. It was a whole new world to us, and we were so ready for whatever came our way. We definitely learned some lessons on the road, but had more fun than anything else. Our favorite was the after parties and meeting new people. We just wanted to get out there, connect with people, and spread our music. Jerry Ryan put on the festival and took us under his wing while we were out there. We pulled up to his house at like 4am, but that didn’t matter. He was ready to serve us breakfast, and give us a spot to relax and recoup from traveling. He was incredibly hospitable and made sure we were taken care of all weekend. That meant a lot since we were new to the ways of the road. A valuable lesson: Don’t spend your toll money on booze!! We barely made it back with how much tolls cost in Pennsylvania! Haha

For the first time readers at ROX-TV who are just learning about your music, can you talk a little bit about what to expect from an audio experience from Leaving Lifted? What motivates the band as far as the message Leaving Lifted is trying to get across to the listeners?

We want people to be able to put us on and relax. Whether it was a long day and you need to unwind with good vibes, or you’re ready to go out and dance – we offer party atmosphere music, and uplifting positive energy.  There has been too much negativity and polarizing opinions in the world lately, and we want to be the sound that brings people together. We want unity, and people to feel good again. 

I understand the group recently dropped a new song called “Rosie Honey” on 4/09/2021. I really like the song. It reminds me of a blend of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, 311, and Sublime. I dig the sound and it produces feelings of the beach (Michigan Third Coast Life) and good times. Can you talk a little bit about “Rosie Honey” and the band’s take on the song? What was the driving force or inspiration for the track?

We did! Thank you for checking it out. Regarding Rosie Honey: (Steve talking, I wrote the lyrics) I’ve always appreciated when a song is catchy but still has some potent content in the lyrics. The inspiration for Rosie was the old nursery rhyme Ring Around the Rosey, which was originally about the black plague of Europe circa 1300’s. Given the current state of the pandemic and all the language of fear around it I thought, “yea but can we dance to it?!”.

I’m just starting to get into your music. If you could tell the readers at ROX-TV about three songs they shouldn’t miss and why they would be a good introduction to your music?

“Along For The Ride” was released in February this year. This is a Reggae track that displays what we are about.

 “Downtown” is a Funk/Rock song that shows how we transition into other genres while still keeping our identity.

 “Chiquita” is an uplifting Ska song that shows another side of us. 

Does Leaving Lifted have any plans for upcoming live shows? How has the pandemic altered the group’s ability to connect with fans and get out on the road? Even record new music?

Unfortunately the pandemic has shut down all of our shows in the past two years. The last venue show we were able to perform was in late February of 2020 with The Wailers. We performed a drive in concert series for Arts Beats and Eats back in September. Besides that show, everything has been shut down. We are writing new music and releasing singles until shows are possible again. 

Leaving Lifted performed at the famous St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit on 2/19/2020. Can you talk about what it was like to share a stage with the world famous Wailers? What did the Wailers music mean to the members of Leaving Lifted growing up? To open up for such a power house of the reggae world was probably a serious check off the dope bucket list?

It is the best feeling in the world. We are beyond blessed to have shared the stage with The Wailers 3 times now at St. Andrews!  They are incredibly nice, and so down to Earth/easy to hang with. Each member has been personally affected by The Wailers music. Their music has inspired and uplifted generation after generation; it’s timeless music. To our genre, they are The Beatles. The fact that it’s all family, and members that have always been in their circle still holding the torch for Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer is incredible and humbling. It is a huge honor, and we will always cherish these shows.

As far as Leaving Lifted’s performance that night, it clocked in at about 45 minutes and was a steady soul shaking, head bobbing situation. Your show was a continual ride of “feel good” vibes that remind me of growing up in the 810 back in the 1980’s and 1990’s. My family and friends was very liberal when it came to medicating with marijuana and when we hit the lakes, Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, The Wailers, and Peter Tosh were always near the cooler. Would it be safe to say that Leaving Lifted’s music really just food for the soul?

It was an incredible show. Attendance broke over 1,000 that night on a week day! You could feel the energy before you even stepped back stage to take it that night. People were excited and  ready for a Reggae show to take them away. As soon as we stepped on stage the crowd lit up; it was nothing but pure happiness. Everyone was there to enjoy themselves and get along. Reggae shows are the solution!! Marijuana is very important to us medicinally, and spiritually. Pharmaceuticals have destroyed so many families; it’s an absolute shame. Your family and friends sound like our kind of people! You definitely had a great soundtrack for the lake days! It would be safe to say that for sure, Mike! We want you to leave from our shows Lifted – and uplifted feeling you cannot shake. That pure feeling of positive energy when you just had such a great experience it carries you into your week.

With the world trying to open up, although the pushback continues daily, what is the plan for Leaving Lifted going forward for the rest of 2021 and beyond? Are there any news releases/material that the fans should be looking for in the coming months? Any music the group would like to tease out?

The pushback has been the hardest. When the case numbers start going in the wrong direction, everything is pushed further into the year (Michigan especially). It is really hard to plan anything right now, because the rescheduled national act shows from the previous year are still up in the air. It is a very uncertain feeling not being able to plan life around this delicate situation. Musicians, techs/sound guys, and everyone involved has been hit the hardest. Our industry survives on large crowd gatherings, so we will be the last back into the normal life routine. We will be dropping some fresh material in the upcoming months, so keep an eye out for new releases on our platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and purchasing platforms like iTunes and Amazon!

Where can new fans pick up your back log of material or purchase any merch the band has?

You can stream for free our back log on – Reverbnation.com (no to log in, or even have an account there) We are on all major platforms for streaming, and purchasing!

I’m from the 90’s and always enjoyed the shout outs from artists. Whether it was on a song or the notes from the albums. This is the time and the place, who is Leaving Lifted shouting out tonight? (anyone/anything).

“We want to shout out our good friends and fellow musicians Nina and The Buffalo Riders, our brother/sister band with whom we’ve played shows and grew together over the years. Same goes for our bros in The Fruits.. they are a great band making some waves right now in Michigan. Good dudes, even better musicians! Finally, a quick shout to Rudy/DJ Carlito/Huck at Cruisin’ the Barrio. They have been priceless supporters of L.L. for a few years now! And thank you Mike and ROX TV for your work in the Michigan music scene. We really appreciate you!”

Signing Off,

Mike Shepard

ROX-TV Head Writer

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