Writing and performing music informed by roots rock, alt-country, classic pop, and folk, Andrew Leahey has been dividing his time between making music and writing about it since the early years of the 21st century. Leahey was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1982, and he began playing the guitar when he was six years old. In 2001, while studying English at the University of Virginia, Leahey co-founded the band Hobson's Choice; Leahey sang lead and played guitar alongside Jim Thomson (guitar and vocals), Evan Smith (keyboards), Matt Cook (bass), and Brian Spreng (drums). Hobson's Choice recorded an independently released CD, 3:10, in 2004, but while the disc sold well among their local fan base, the group split up the following year. After Hobson's Choice folded, Leahey moved to New York City to pursue his career as a writer; while in the city, he expanded his creative horizons by performing choral music at the Juilliard School of Music. In 2007, Leahey relocated to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he became an assistant editor for All Music Guide; in addition to writing and editing for AMG, Leahey also penned material for Spin, Paste, Radar, and The Washington Times, while also serving as senior book critic for CMJ New Music Monthly. While this schedule might be enough to keep most folks occupied, Leahey also found time in 2009 to form a new band, the Opera House, with John Prensner (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Jake Posega (bass), and James Stelma (drums). The Opera House disbanded in early 2011, and Leahey soon relocated to Nashville, Tennessee and began working on a solo project. Leahey decamped to Richmond for recording sessions in a former movie theater with a handful of like-minded Virginia musicians, including members of Exebelle & the Rusted Cavalcade, the Trillions, and David Schultz & the Skyline. Calling the ensemble Andrew Leahey & the Homestead, their self-titled album was released on CD and digital download in the fall of 2011. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
