Ahead of their April 16 Cafe du Nord performance, we talked to Brigitte Calls Me Baby’s lead singer Wes Leavins about his musical and fashion influences, the band’s debut TV performance, and their West Coast tour. This up-and-coming band has a nostalgic 50s and 60s rock sound with a modern twist that will capture your attention within the first few seconds.
Leavins comes from a family of music lovers. While he did not grow up hearing people playing instruments around the house, there were still various genres that rang through the walls. “Plenty of music was around, I’m so thankful that I was surrounded with diversity because it truly helps you find yourself,” Leavins recounts of his upbringing. “Everyone just loved music.” There was one song in particular that stuck with him called “Love is Love” by Culture Club. “My mom used to play this song all of the time when I was little and It used to make me emotional for some reason. Now that it has that extra layer of nostalgia, it’s even more emotional.”
Leavins moved from Texas to Chicago after graduating high school. It’s in this new state that he created Brigitte Calls Me Baby with bassist Devin Wessels, drummer Jeremy Benshish, and guitarists Trevor Lynch and Jack Fluegel. After playing local gigs, Leavins was recruited to create music for Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis (2022). This is where he met Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb who would produce the band’s first EP This House is Made of Corners.
Since the EP’s release, the band gained recognition from NME and Flood Magazine as well as landing a performance spot on CBS back in February. “When it aired a few weeks later, the band and I were checking out of a hotel and it was showing in the lobby which was nice.” Fans have excitedly stated that the band will become the next big thing in the comments. Leavins said that their “confidence is contagious. It’s terrific!”
The band announced their West Coast leg earlier in the year after the conclusion of their successful East Coast/Midwest tour. Concertgoers may notice their fashionable attire while on stage. Taking influence from French fashion, Leavins says this about the style:
“French fashion at one point in time had the perfect amount of sophistication and edge. Specifically people like Alain Delon excited me when I first started buying my own clothes and diving into fashion. Somehow they made suits and ties seem angsty.”
San Francisco is excited to see this band live for the first time! “We’re looking forward to playing a lot of new cities that we’ve not had the chance to play yet. We’ve been getting lots of people from San Francisco reaching out so I know this show in particular will be brilliant.”
Grab a ticket through this link. We’ll see you at their show!
Brigitte Calls me Baby
Website | Instagram | Listen to their debut EP This House is Made of Corners
