Leadbetter Band Get Animated with Their “Sky to the Ground” Music Video [Premiere]

Even after 25 years of grinding it out in the music industry, Eric Leadbetter is still finding ways of flying high when it comes to creativity and enthusiasm. Today, he returns with “Sky to the Ground,” the lead single from Leadbetter Band’s new record Spell. The song has a nice combination of modern and classic rock elements, a combination of funkier hard rock and roots rock. It harkens back to the 1970s when bands like Grand Funk Railroad and the Edgar Winter Group were churning out funkier hard rock.

“Sky to the Ground” also shares similarities with those artists’ songs in that it takes a more optimistic tone than a lot of other mainstream rock. There’s a lot to be grateful for, and “Sky to the Ground” wants to help remind you of that. The song was actually written while out on the road, literally. The groove and vocal melody all started coming to Leadbetter while he was driving. So he found a place to pull over and wrote the song in the back of his van in 20 minutes.

Commenting on the song, Leadbetter states:

“‘Sky to the Ground’ is such a powerful song and message; it required an equally powerful video to accompany and elevate the tune. Working with album artist Ryan Harris and animator/director Micah Buzan exceeded all expectations. Ryan took our band members and converted them into space-travelling spirit animals. He hand-painted these creatures on canvas, and this became the album cover for Spell. Then the animator, Micah, adapted these characters for the video, which turned out amazing! He took inspiration from the lyrics and the band’s vibes and created a storyboard, and then got busy drawing and colouring.

“The video itself captures the true intention behind our musical purposes, to uplift and inspire others to do the same in their own lives. It captures the notion that music is medicine and has the power to uplift people, bring them together for a higher purpose, and to face the darkness together as one.”

It’s been eight years now since Leadbetter Band formed after the dissolution of Leadbetter’s previous group, Jive Coulis. Spell will be the band’s fourth studio offering, written during a creative surge he was feeling when it came to songwriting. Leadbetter was feeling good about detaching himself from the grip of alcohol, and it created a renewed level of focus in him. This also fed right into the dynamics of the band, where everyone was coming up with ideas and contributing. Most of the songs were written quite recently, save “That’s Enough” and “Solemn Winter Glow,” which are reimagined Jive Coulis songs.

Spell is the trio’s most interesting release yet. It’s extremely diverse, traversing the territory of blues rock, psychedelia, jam band rock, soul, funk, and alternative rock. Leadbetter wanted this to be an eclectic album that didn’t get bogged down in any one musical lane. Bands like Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones used to record albums where no two songs sounded alike. Spell is Leadbetter Band’s attempt to reinvent themselves while still remaining true to their rock n’ roll band identity.

Tour Dates:

11/28 – Talent, OR, Talent Club
11/29 – Bend, OR, Silvermoon
12/12 – Trout Lake, WA, Trout Lake Hall
12/31 – Bend, OR, McMenamins

Leadbetter Band ‘Spell’ album artwork