LOCK-IN: BENJY LEAK ON NEW SINGLE 11:11, CRAFTING VIBES AND CREATING MOMENTS

Lock-In, are a band where every song is a tale, a feeling, a mood that resonates with the listener. Their latest single, 11:11, has been described as a “serotonin shot of blissful vibes,” and for Benjy Leak, that vibe begins long before the recording process even starts.

“The vibes start before the recording and on the writing.” He tells me, “It’s a part of the story for most of our songs that follows through until the recording. Holding its energy throughout!!”

That energy, however, isn’t based on just the sound, it’s based on emotion. The lyrics of 11:11 explore late-night mixed messages and that wish-on-a-star feeling, a moment hanging in the air between ambiguity and hope. For Benjy, the inspiration was both a mix of personal experience and artistic expression.

“There’s definitely a bit of both.” He’s says, “It’s inspired by those moments where you’re not sure if something’s real or just in your head, whether it’s 2am thoughts or real connection. I think most people have felt that in some way, and I wanted to capture that in a way that feels universal but still personal.”

Musically, 11:11 is genre-mashing in its style, fusing soaring vocal harmonies with glittering dream-pop guitar work and pulsating funk muscle. With seven inventive brains feeding off each other to work on the song, it only logically turned out eclectically so.

“There were seven creative heads in one space when this song was written.” He says, “I think that alone shows the contrasting adjectives of the above meaning lots of input. As a collective there is a general love for Parcels which I feel may have had some pull on the vocal harmonies.”

Lock-In’s evolving sound has been compared to acts like Blossoms and Two Door Cinema Club, placing them in the indie-rock bracket, although Benjy sees the band differently.

“I think the two bands mentioned fit more of a indie-pop niche which I see us sitting more apposed to rock. Our rock comes from live, our pop comes from the record, there’s two sides to Lock-In.”

Underpinning that sound is Benjy’s own vocal style, something that has evolved over time as he’s gained more confidence in his writing.

“I’ll stay personal and true to how I feel in a reflective and honest aspect.” He explains, “I feel more confident writing about how I feel now than I ever have. I think that just comes with age, we released our first song at 18 so it makes sense to me I can more now. I was a little bit scared to then I think.”

One of Lock-In’s advancements comes as a result of their work with producer Max Marlow, whose input into their creative process has been immeasurably valuable.

“He’s a very intelligent man who knows how to get the best out of us,” Benjy says. “It isn’t a case of rocking up, plugging in and playing. I’m not sure how he does it or what it is, he just works his magic and has us in the zone.”

Now, Lock-In are preparing to stage their biggest coup yet, a headline slot at Dingwalls, where fans can expect the unexpected.

“We like to play live and people who’ve seen us will know that we like to add a bit of surprise or two,” he teases. “Never go and see a Lock-In show thinking the same thing will happen again because we can’t even predict them ourselves.”

Benjy has also enjoyed being able to jam with legends backstage at shows like Peter Doherty and Kyle Falconer, an experience that helped solidify his passion for raw, organic live music.

“The Libertines’ stage fluidity is something you can’t buy,” he thinks. “You realise they’re telepathic as soon as they have the instruments in their hands which is unusual. No playback and click tracks. All pure sound, we love that. They’re both complete gentlemen and it was a pleasure playing some tunes that evening.”

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Festivals demand a different level of setlist accuracy, something that Benjy and the band have noticed as they’ve been performing for larger audiences.

“This is something we’ve discovered since we started, how each festival is a different audience,” he says. “You really do have to zero in on what songs will best fit. Fortunately we have a varied set of songs that we can toss in if we feel like we need to slow it down or speed it up.”

Summer festivals bring a different kind of energy, but for Lock-In, the passion is consistent whether they are outdoors or in a packed venue.

“We carry the same attitude with both, to be fair,” Benjy explains. “100% energy and passion with the attitude it could be our last show every time. It’s just a bonus you’re outside in the summer, but nothing beats a sweaty venue.”

Their music is dependent on momentum and nostalgia, mixing the old and aspirations in the new direction.

“I think this is just a natural thing when you’ve been writing with someone for that long,” he says. “Whatever we’re feeling at that moment is what comes out. It’s just catching each other’s energy and putting it in a big stir pot to see what potion emerges.”

Having secured endorsement from the likes of BBC Introducing, Spotify’s New Music Friday, and even West Ham United’s kit launch, Lock-In is poised to propel further.

“We’ve been incredibly lucky with the backing so far, it’s mind to hear your tracks on something like New Music Friday or providing the soundtrack to West Ham,” says Benjy. “Going forward, we just want to continue to build. More tracks, bigger shows, and in front of as many new faces as possible. We’re looking to our eyes for more festivals, headline tours, and hopefully making enough noise that we can’t be ignored.”

If 11:11 were a movie scene, Benjy has a clear picture how it would play out.

“A huge house party, Project X style, just past midnight, two people lock eyes and everything slows down for a second,” he describes. “Neon lights, blurry edges, that mix of excitement and uncertainty. Like the bit in a film where the soundtrack kicks in and you’re not sure if it’s the start of something or just a fleeting moment. In this case, them opening chords for 11:11 come in.”

The band look to outlandish sources for inspiration, typically tracing back to early childhood.

“Sam, Angus and I (Benjy) would take Angus’ old dented mini out and drive around with a guitar, pull over and compose songs,” he recalls. “Although not that bizarre, a pleasant youth memory that sticks.”

When it comes to live performance adrenaline, one song is at the top of the list.

“Easily our closer, “Yours Sincerely” it goes off every time. You can always be guaranteed some crowdsurfing or some climbing haha.”

And as for what’s next, Lock-In are planning to sell out Dingwalls in Camden on 17th May (limited tickets available HERE.)

“It’s going to be big, you NEED a ticket for the party of the year.”

Their tour schedule runs as below – expect more to be added soon.

APRIL

19th – Manchester, Band On The Wall – This Feeling Rewired Festival

26th – Sheffield, Bring The Noise Festival

MAY

17th – London, Dingwalls (HEADLINERS)

JUNE

13th – Portsmouth, Golden Touch Festival