Since officially forming in 2018, The Criticals have proven themselves a powerful and fierce duo — one with both a diverse musical appetite in their songwriting and a whiplash live show that’s drawn sellout crowds in major US markets including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Now, following their highly-regarded EPs — 2019’s Mimosa Hygiene and the following year’s Sour Grapes — not to mention a steady diet of raucous live shows, the band is set to release their most accomplished work yet with Front Door Confrontations, The Criticals thrilling new six-track EP due July 2023 via Fantasy Records.
Hardcastle is Graham Laderman’s vision and vessel to carry out his dream of being able to share his music with as many people as possible. In other words his dream is to be a rock star. He has wanted this since childhood. This became solidified when he left his home state, Atlanta, for music school in Nashville. Then after a couple of years he dropped out and went full force with his band. He went on the road opening for The Band Camino, playing about 30 dates around the US. There was no question is mind. For the first time it felt his insides matched his outsides. This is what he wanted to do. But then, along the way things became splintered - Covid hit, and the band lost its way. At that time Graham decided to leave Nashville and move to LA wondering if he could figure out a way to discover his true desire to rock yet again but with a slightly new face. Enter Done Deal Management (Rob Cavallo & Lisa Cavallo). Through vocal lessons, management guidance, A&R sessions, and a new found confidence, Graham’s vision began to re-emerge. He let go of any preconceived ideas, and got honest with his next steps.
Lead Pony is a California Rock & Roll band. Each member of LP are music fans first... they breathe it. The sounds of the band jump from decade to decade, sound to sound; rhythm and blues, glam, indie, folk... it's all there.
Last year, the band released its debut LP "Vultures" on Salton Sea Sound System, and will be touring extensively off of it. Produced by Trevor Spencer (Fleet Foxes, Father John Misty, Beach House, etc.), this collection of songs delivers the narratives that the band has collected over the 10+ years of playing together.
Lead Pony has your back, believe in Lead Pony.
