Album Notes

At times gentle and quiet, at times thunderous and yet soulful, Lea Krueger has long been touted as one of the Northwest's finest voices. Whether singing her finely crafted songs solo or playing with her band, The Golden Americans, Lea's passion and dedication to her art shines through. She draws stylistic inspiration from a well of different influences including Neil Finn, Jeff Buckley and Aimee Mann. With lyrics that reference her own life experiences, her unique and captivating vocals, accentuated by Al's soaring guitar leads and Mike's visionary keyboard style, are kept centered by Ned on drums and Lea on bass.

Lea started playing guitar as a child, and as a teenager traveled the Northwest in several bands. After finding her own voice as a writer, she formed the band "On A Llama" and released two albums: A self titled CD and Riddle Canon. Both received excellent reviews in the Portland press. After several personnel changes, and a long search for the right drummer to compliment Lea's creative style on the bass, she found Ned. Ned (The Strangers, Nicole Campbell Band, Floydian Slips) had spent the last several years touring the country, honing the skills that have made him one of Portland's most sought after drummers.

In 2002 the current band, The Golden Americans, was formed. Guitarist Al Toribio (Mission District, Renegade Saints, Kerosene Dream, Floydian Slips, The Tremor Guild) and Mike Walker (Nine Days Wonder, Mission District, Renegade Saints, Dixon) on piano and Hammond organ joined Lea and Ned to create an unusually sophisticated, yet sensual and rockin' band. Together these four talented musicians have infused Lea's richly textured songs with a new complexity. In her own words, "I have found the perfect band."

In the fall of 2003, Lea released her long awaited CD Strange Hallelujah. It features Ned on drums, with Lea playing all of the other instruments. It also features guest appearances by some of the area's finest musicians, including Al and Mike.

Lea performs in several different formats: Solo, in a duo with Al Toribio or with the full band.