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Oldham-born musician Kiran Leonard reveals inspiration behind new album ahead of gig at Band on the Wall

Oldham-born musician Kiran Leonard is gearing up to showcase his new album, Derevaun Seraun, in Manchester.

The artist will be performing the record – a follow up to 2016’s widely acclaimed LP, Grapefruit – at Band on the Wall on Saturday, September 23.

Those in attendance will get to hear the new album in full, accompanied by a string trio.

Reflecting on the new music, Leonard told MM:  “Each movement is written about a different piece of literature, exploring the value I see in each work and the impression it has made on me.”

Featuring the single Living With Your Ailments, which was inspired by Camus’ essay The Myth of Sisyphus, Derevaun Seraun is a record about the instinctive response to art, and primarily feeling affection for it, before, or perhaps instead of, trying to understand it.

He explained: “You can be taught to understand a challenging book, but not to feel affection for it: I think a lot of conversation around art, especially around literature, sometimes forgets this.”

Leonard recently performed at this year’s Manchester International Festival, for which he created the one-off music-and-art piece, Song of the Husband.

Originally from Saddleworth, the precociously talented 21-year-old has been steadily garnering critical praise since the 2013 release of his debut album, Bowler Hat Soup.

The rising star will be supported by Manchester duo, Lean Time, when he plays in the Northern Quarter venue.

*Kiran Leonard plays at Band on the Wall on Saturday, September 23. You can buy tickets HERE.

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