88: Leah Siegel

Leah Siegel made a commitment to live an artful life, "to be creative, to live inspired." Growing up in Arlington, VA surrounded by politicians and journalists, she knew she was different from those around her. 

Early on, she found her voice. A powerful, soul stirring, timeless singing voice that moved people and put her in touch with a "natural empathy". She began to feel that she could feel others' emotions and transmit them through music. And she began writing essays as well. 

She moved to New York and quickly became part of the musical fabric of the city, fitting in to a variety of musical scenes. Today she has three bands, Firehorse (a vehicle for her songwriting), Leisure Cruise (a pop collaboration with producer Dave Hodge), and Brooklyn Boogaloo Blowout, a ferociously funky outfit that was started by the late, great bassist Tim Luntzel.

Tim passed away earlier this year from complications of ALS. He was 44 years old, and his death resonated throughout a large community of musicians and friends who loved him and continue to mourn his loss. 

with Leah Siegel at Third Story headquarters in Brooklyn, October 2017

Here Leah tries to process the loss of her close friend, Tim, and explains the impact of his death on her life, and questions what it means to have a good death. 

This is one of the most intimate, intense and heartfelt interviews I've ever done. 

"Art is a byproduct of a life led. Your beautiful, tragic, outrageous life." 

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