With the release of his debut album Hail To The Dogs, Aidan Leclaire emerges as a compelling new voice in the indie rock landscape—one unafraid to probe society’s darkest corners. Blending grunge-tinged instrumentation with poetic lyricism, the nine-track record explores themes of power, disconnection, and the human desire for meaning in an increasingly fractured world. Rooted in literary inspiration from Orwell’s Animal Farm and shaped by the DIY energy of DC’s underground scene, the album marks a bold step forward for the Northern Virginia-based artist and his band.
Following the success of earlier singles Find Me and Good Boy, and a reimagined version of fan-favorite Break, Leclaire’s full-length debut captures both the urgency of live performance and the introspective honesty of his songwriting. In this interview, find out more about Aidan Leclaire, What inspires him and what we can expect in the future:
Give us a potted history of yourself.
I started my musical journey in Washington, D.C., where the Aidan Leclaire Band quickly became a part of the vibrant indie scene. Our sophomore EP, The Spaceman, which was released last summer attracted a good deal of attention and with our debut album, Hail to the Dogs we’ve taken things further where we continue to explore deeper themes through raw and energetic music. Recording music and performing live shows along the way developing as a tight band and engaging with fans has been an incredibly gratifying journey. Hopefully, this is just the beginning.
Who inspired you to start making music?
Honestly, it was a mix of things. I have always been attracted to the arts as a way of self-expression. I love movies and TV shows and music and have always been amazed at the creative process behind these amazing outputs and expressions. Musically, the gritty authenticity of bands like Pavement and the raw creativity of artists such as Alex G have been a massive influence, but I can also think of the music of the late 1990’s and early 2000. My journey began at Jammin’ Java, a club in Northern Virginia, where I was just 11 years old, learning to strum a guitar. It’s been a creative rollercoaster ever since.
And the one or maybe two records that inspired you artistically.
Oh, definitely ‘Turn on the Bright Lights‘ by Interpol and ‘The Moon & Antarctica‘ by Modest Mouse. Those records showed me the magic of saying a lot without overdoing it. In that vein, Lou Reed’s Walk on the wild side was also a massive influence, with its simple and repetitive, yet beautiful and soothing chords, and most importantly, using that as a vehicle to tell a fascinating story about life at a certain period in time. They’re all like guidebooks for creating music that’s both powerful and thought-provoking.
If you’re trying to explain who you sound like to someone who’s never heard you, what do you say?
Our sound can be described as a blend of gritty melodic rock and introspective storytelling. Think somewhere between the raw edge of a sweaty basement show and the quiet reflection of a bedroom confessional, with influences from artists like The Strokes and early Modest Mouse, yet truly our own.
What can we expect from you in the near future?
We are working on a video for one of the songs on the new album, and we are also engaged in several promotional events including a number of local gigs. But, we plan to head back into the studio by early September to record our follow up album working with some great producers and hopefully release new material early next year followed by a tour Expect more musical goodies!
Tell us your favourite records that are rocking your headphones/tour bus/stereo.
Lately, I’ve been listening to King Krule and his storytelling magic, and Built to Spill’s unapologetic sound. I like how these sounds keep my creativity flowing and reminding me that great music stems from emotional authenticity.
