For most, leaving The X Factor would feel like the end of their career, but for Irish star Chris Leonard, it only spurred him on to chase his dream, and he’s now living it
Chris Leonard’s life has never been the same since leaving The X Factor. The musician from County Meath, Ireland, found fame on the former ITV talent show back in 2014, as one eighth of the band Stereo Kicks.
However, while Stereo Kicks split a year after they were formed, Chris, now 30, is touring the world with his band Shillelagh Law and collaborating with his musical idols, including James Fernley of The Pogues, KT Tunstall, and Andy Burrows from Razorlight. He’s also worked on music with Grammy Award-winning producer Ted Hutt.
Although most people who leave TV talent shows return to their previous jobs, Chris’s time on the programme only spurred him on to chase his dreams even further – and it’s worked in his favour, with his music being heard on BBC Radio 2. Now, though, his band’s music pays homage to their traditional Irish roots. “It’s a mixture of heritage,” he exclusively told the Mirror.
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Returning to a band after working as a soloist, Chris said: “Going back into a band is always what I wanted to do; it was never a question.” He added: “Something that people don’t know, I left Stereo Kicks before the band split. We had a show and we were having a meeting about how to continue and I said ‘You do what you want to do, I’m just letting you know I’m going to be leaving the band regardless’.
“When I went on X Factor, I never expected to get far. My goal was to get to Bootcamp, have an audition or two shown, build a bit of a following and run with it from there with my own music. I’ve always done Irish music; my dad is an Irish musician.
“My thinking was run with that, put my own music out there, do Irish music, the way I do it. But it turned into a whole different animal when I got put in the band. But I always knew I wanted to come back home, put together an Irish trad band – it’s what I was raised on and known all my life, it’s why I’m passionate about it and the music that I love.”
In recent years, music from Irish artists has once again dominated streaming platforms. “It comes in waves and bouts when people appreciate what it is again,” Chris said, adding, “There’s a real resurgence and revival at the moment, but if you look back, Irish music has always been there.”
Chris continued: “It’s fantastic to see it, and for me the most important thing is just keeping that music alive, keeping the traditions alive and making me excited for a new generation.” In his own music and growing up, Chris took inspiration from The Pogues, citing Shane MacGowan as one of his idols. “As a songwriter, there are very few that would compete or come close to him,” he said.
Only recently, Chris was out in Los Angeles, working on music with James of The Pogues and musicians from bands including Dropkick Murphy’s and Floggin’ Molly. “We did it with a Grammy-winning producer, Ted Hutt, that was a mad experience, it was great to be in the studio with James,” Chris gushed.
He also takes inspiration from Irish hiphop trio, Kneecap, explaining: “It’s brilliant, they’re putting Irish language on a stage that’s never really been at before, and it’s part of a movement – making people think about their own culture, heritage and identity. It’s causing a wave of people wanting to start to learn Irish again, which is fantastic. I speak Irish, so it’s lovely for me to see and hear it.”
For Chris, it’s important that the Celtic regions maintain their own identity, which should “always be remembered and never get lost or overshadowed,” he added: “They’re some of the oldest languages, so it’s really important they’re remembered for that.” One thing Chris admits he would love to see is a united Ireland. “A lot of time has passed, people haven’t forgotten about the history, but people can think about everything in a calmer mindset,” he commented. Chris added: “We’re all living on the same island.”
“It’s so important that we look after each other, from both communities,” he said. Reflecting on his life and career, having grown up on the road, Chris said: “I’m really lucky – it’s been mad. One thing I’ve learned about myself is that I’m very determined. Nearly every goal I’ve set myself, I’ve achieved.”
One of his career highlights, though, is performing with Sir Brian May on The X Factor: “As a musician and a guitar player, to see Brian May was just insane. It was absolutely wild.” However, the show was a double-edged sword for Chris. Speaking about his experience, he said: “The show was a real mixture. One thing that many people don’t realise is, I developed an eating disorder after the show. I got so sucked into the image side of things, I think my image was always in question within the band.
“It was between shaving my head and not being allowed to be myself. People always questioned my image, which was because what was being put out there wasn’t who I was. There was none of my personality. I think that affected me because I had a feeling or an expectation of people expecting me to live up to it.
“There were difficult parts on the show as a result, but there were also the normal sides. If it wasn’t for X Factor, I wouldn’t get to do the things I’m doing today, get to play with the people that I’ve played with, or have the experiences I’ve had. I’m very grateful.” But if he could turn back time, would he do it again? Absolutely, he would just be a braver 19-year-old from Ireland and stand up for himself more.
One fond memory he has, sitting in Louis Walsh’s dressing room with JLS members, Marvin, Aston and JB. He revealed: “We were having a couple of drinks and they turned around and said ‘Chris, just be prepared, when this is over, when the X Factor bubble pops, it’s done, the phone stops ringing – it’s down to your management to keep that buzz after.’
“If it wasn’t for them saying that to me, I wouldn’t have been as prepared. I’m so grateful for that.” While Chris was young at 19, two of his bandmates were younger at just 15 and 16. Now, he hopes that TV shows have measures in place to help contestants with their mental health and navigate their newfound profile. He said: “I haven’t been on that side of everything in a long time, but I’d like to think these networks and companies that do talent shows have now put the correct measures in place and do look after contestants’ mental health.”
And following the rise of December 10, created by Simon Cowell on his new Netflix show, Chris encouraged the band to “stay humble” and realise that, despite being on a TV show or in a band, they’re still young men trying to make music. “You have to work harder,” he said, adding: “Keep your ego in check and be kind to people, don’t think you’re above anybody.”
While he may have been on arguably the biggest show on TV, Chris never for a second thought of himself as famous. Instead, he was just a young lad from Ireland chasing his dream. “Egos can kick in, and work ethic can slip,” he said of people who get above themselves.
He said of December 10: “My advice would be keep your feet on the ground, focus on the music that you’re doing, make sure you’ve got two or three good people around you that you can confide in that actually have your best interests at heart and just be a good person.”
Currently, he and his bandmates have no plans to slow down, as they’re currently touring in Norway before heading to London next month. He added: “We’re heading back out to the States and we’ve got a new EP coming out very soon. We’ve got music coming out with Ted Hutt, which is phenomenal.
“For a band that’s kind of pretty new and we’re starting to get very busy very quickly, which is lovely, and we are really happy with it. We just have to keep our eye on the ball now and keep working hard, keep putting out high-quality music and play as many shows and play to as many people as possible and just let them experience Irish music like it’s meant to be played.”
If you’re worried about your health or the health of somebody else, you can contact SEED eating disorder support service on 01482 718130 or on their website, here.
Source: Mirror
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