LEISURE on their new album ‘Welcome to the Mood’
In a world preoccupied with instant gratification and overnight success, six-piece collective LEISURE is taking the scenic route. ‘Welcome to the Mood’ marks the latest chapter in their journey. While lyrics explore the nuances of romance and relationships, their sound pulls from influences as broad as Japanese city pop to Bill Withers. With years of experience between them, they draw on their individual strengths to hone every aspect of their sound and image. Everything’s underpinned by their genuine friendship and democratic writing process, ensuring LEISURE consistently delivers a steady stream of good vibes to soundtrack your lazy Sundays.
HM: Great to have the opportunity to chat you again, and congrats on your incredible new album 'Welcome to the Mood! Was there a defining moment that unlocked the direction of this project?
Tom Young: Thank you! This record really found its footing once we leaned into live instrumentation. The first time we heard strings and brass filling the room it felt like a lightbulb moment. Maybe in some part it was a subconscious reaction to AI oozing into the creative world, we wanted to move towards a more human and organic sound. We knew this album needed to breathe differently. The live instrumentation gave the songs more space and honesty and once we felt that everything else started to fall into place.
HM: What main themes were important for you to thread throughout this album, and how do you feel they reflect where you are as a collective right now?
Tom Young: A big one was connection to each other, to the people around us and to the present moment. We’ve always touched on love and relationships but this record goes deeper into what it takes to sustain those connections over time. There’s also a sense of reflection and calm that comes from being a few years into this journey together. It feels like a snapshot of where we’re at right now, more grounded and more open.
HM: Being a six-piece, what does your collaborative process look like as you balance multiple perspectives to create a unified record?
Tom Young: It can be messy but that’s the beauty of it. Everyone has their own strengths and instincts and over the years we’ve learned how to give each other room creatively while still pulling in the same direction. Sometimes it’s as simple as jamming until something sticks, sometimes it’s more structured and considered. The key is respect, knowing when to step back, when to push and always keeping the song at the centre.
HM: What were some of your highlights working across this album as a whole?
Tom Young: Recording this album felt different because we gave ourselves more room to enjoy the process. Having live players in the mix definitely elevated the sound but the real highlight was the sense of flow we found as a group. There were moments where everything just clicked, whether it was late at night in the studio or when an idea suddenly landed. Those are the times you remember most, when the music feels effortless and you’re all in sync.
HM: In our last interview, you mentioned "your peer's success is your own. Always do what's best for the song. Pleasing everyone is impossible - make what you would want to listen to and you've already won." What other words of wisdom or guiding principles feel significant to you right now that you’d like to share with other artists and creatives?
Tom Young: Authenticity is everything. Focus on building your craft, connecting with the right audience and letting your work speak for itself. You have to play the long game even if it means staying true to your vision without immediate validation. When we started, it often felt like NZ didn’t quite know what to do with us. Even after 10 years of grinding, it still feels like the industry doesn’t quite embrace bands like us or Balu Brigada who are finding our success overseas, not out of any disregard but more so because there’s no clear framework to recognize achievements beyond the local market. Success, especially on an international level, rarely comes overnight but the impact hits way harder and lasts far longer when it’s authentic.
HM: Absolutely. Who are some of your favourite NZ artists right now and are there any songs in particular that you especially love at the moment?
Tom Young: I’m really loving what Juney Boy is putting out right now. He’s only released two songs, but he’s been making beats forever and putting them up on social media, so his vibe is really dialed in. I’ve been producing an incredible singer/songwriter called Niamh Rhodes who’s songwriting and voice stops me in my tracks everytime. Dave Weir who is one of my favourite songwriters in the country just put out an incredible album that has flown way under the radar. Listen to “Almost June Time” and “Too Much Brush in These Marks”. Special mentions to Office Dog, Serebii & Death and the Maiden. I’m always pretty quick to listen to anything Kody Nielsen puts out too - his remix of Weval’s “Doesn’t Do Anything” is so amazing.
HM: A fantastic list there. Lastly, you're currently on tour in the US and then Europe a! What do you look forward to most about these performances?
Tom Young: Every time we go out on the road it’s incredibly humbling to meet and talk with everyone at the shows. Each of them has a story to share and it never fails to amaze me how much our songs can touch people’s lives. It reminds us why we do this and reinvigorates us with a deep sense of purpose heading into the next album cycle because you realise these songs truly mean something to a lot of people.
Make sure to keep up with LEISURE on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify or Apple Music.
