New York City’s Dead Leaf Echo started out demoing songs in their bedroom in 2005 and started playing live that same year. Numerous line up changes ensued and the band released their first CD, Faint Violet Whiff, in 2006.

The band’s singer / guitarist / keyboardist, going only by the initials LG, says the band’s influences include 4AD, Creation and Factory—delay heavy guitars with lush ethereal vocals.

“I like to say its ‘pure shoegaze heaven.’" adds bassist Michael Di Lalla.

The band use a number of interesting bits of gear in their live set up.

“I play a '69 Reissue Rosewood Telecaster for six-string and an Italia Rimini 12,� says LG. “I always run 'em out in stereo into two vintage Fender Twins. One is an original 1974 Twin Reverb with a master volume. I've replaced most of it though, including the reverb tank, all tubes, tube sockets and speakers. Sometimes I'll use a Twin and pair it with a Roland Jazz Chorus 120 -- anything to get a nice clean tone.�

The Rimini is an Italian-made (as you might guess from the name) semi-hollow body. The guitar has an Agathis body and Ash back. It looks suspiciously like a Rickenbacker but costs a bit more than $600. Ricks will set you back about double that for a 12 string (and that is a deal).

When it comes to effects, LG sticks mostly with tried and true Boss models.

“I use an old DD-2 MIJ from 1984 for delay and I've also got an original BF-2 for Flange. A Chorus Ensemble, OD-2r, RV-5, a tuner; I've got everything now down in one case as opposed to carrying around all the road cases full of rack units -- but I'm sure that'll change.�

LG acquired the rosewood Telecaster as homage to Greg Dulli. He always played one with The Afghan Whigs.

“I was just ripping of his style [aesthetically],� says LG.

The Italia is actually his girlfriend's, and she kindly offered to let him borrow it to reproduce the recorded sound live. And she helps with more than loaners.

“She's been playing live with us on some songs to fill out the sound, and she's been using a ‘72 reissue Tele Deluxe with the humbuckers. Cool guitar,� says LG.

Bassist Di Lalla keeps his live set up simple.

“I use a Fender Precision Jazz bass through an Ashdown Mag 300H. I really dig the sound of the Ashdown heads. They have a unique kind of color quality to their sound,� he says. “I also modded the bass with Seymour Duncan Bassline pickups. When we did the record I just went direct into an Avalon D5. They always sound great.�

Ashdown Engineering make amps for electrics, acoustics and basses. They are a UK-based company but will be manufacturing amps in the USA as of June 2008 at a plant in Louisville, KY.

Keyboard player Liza B. uses a Roland June-2 run through a JC-120 (or direct).

The band will be touring to support their latest release, Pale Fire. The next date is on May 10 with Thrushes in Baltimore. The band will begin tracking a new release soon as well and possibly tour the UK in the fall.

More with Dead Leaf Echo soon.