Spitting quick witted and jovial Hip Hop direct from Riverland in the northeast of South Australia comes Levelheaded [aka Tom Leverenz]. With a recently released debut album ‘The Spice Of Life’ and a string of launch dates across Australia coming up, it seems that Levelheaded will see out 2009 in fine style.
Beginning his adventure in Hip Hop at high school in the late nineties, the group of friends doing it for fun more than a career path, eventually got serious and formed Train of Thought in 2001. Success followed quickly with two releases that were well received by Hip Hop heads across Australia. Such was the recognition for their musical prowess that their left wing political track ‘Counter-War Terrorism’ was included on the international compilation ‘Peace Not War’ alongside heavyweights such as Jurassic 5, Michael Franti & Spearhead and Lyrics Born. As word of their explosive live show spread, they were billed to perform alongside the likes of Hilltop Hoods, Hyjack & Torcha, Crossbred Mongrels, Pegz, Funkoars and Reason to name a few.
After moving out of Adelaide and into central South Australia a while back, and with distance making it difficult to bring the group together musically, Levelheaded’s outpourings eventually became his solo debut album ‘The Spice Of Life’. Reflective of a man who is in a good space right now, his debut album is fun, down to earth and distinctly Australian.
The first single ‘Bounce’ is everything a great summer track should be. Its hooky chorus is teamed with fun, flowing lyrics, expert scratching courtesy of Funkoar’s Reflux and beats that make you want to search for the closest moshpit! Expect this track to be massive in this summer’s festival season.
With the help of the Hood’s Suffa and Debris on engineering, and the expert production of Debate’s 15 years of beat-making experience, ‘The Spice of Life’ brings Levelheaded’s flow to life. Recruiting like-minded Melbournian and one of Australian Hip Hop’s greats, Reason, to collaborate on the track ‘Countdown’, Levelheaded reveals that this debut has more depth and purpose than just delivering party starting beats.
Levelheaded is raring to ignite crowds with his high energy live performances as he takes the show on the road. The tour kicks off in his hometown of Adelaide with shows following in Melbourne, Geelong and Hobart. Accompanying him onstage will be right-hand man Hacksaw on the decks as well as a solid line-up of Australia’s finest, so make sure you mark it in your diary and get in early.
Date: 9th October 2009
Venue: Higher Ground, Adelaide
Support Acts: After Hours, Ill Equipt, DJ Jugular.
Tickets: on sale NOW through Oztix
Date: 24th October 2009
City: Adelaide
Event: Northern Sound System @ Elizapolooza Fest
Date: 13th November 2009
City: Geelong
Venue: Grovedale Hotel
Support Acts: Crossbred Mongrels, Social Change & City Wide
Tickets on sale NOW through Oztix
Date: 14th November 2009
City: Melbourne
Venue: First Floor
Support Acts: Reason, Crossbred Mongrels & Social Change
Tickets: cost/from on sale NOW through Oztix
Date: 13th December 2009
City: Hobart
Venue: The Brisbane Hotel
Support Acts: Reason & Social Change
Tickets: cost/from: on sale NOW through Oztix
Date: 31st December 2009
City: Berri/Riverland
Venue: The Berri Resort Hotel
Support Acts: TBC
Tickets: On the door.
