Leya sign two management deals

Northern Ireland rockers Leya have signed not one, but two major management deals.

The band will be looked after on this side of the Atlantic by Terra Firma, the London-based company whose roster also includes Richard Ashcroft, Oakenfold and Lemon Jelly, and in the States by New York's 2 Generations who already look after Lou Reed, Hall & Oates and the Cranberries.

Regulars on the Irish club circuit, Leya caught Hotpress' eye in May 2002 when they took part in an IMRO Showcase in Vicar St. Having praised them for their "fantastically layered, massive crescendos", Hannah Hamilton went to describe them as "a band whose glorious harmonies and melodic inclination make them a particularly interesting outfit to watch out for." Mystic Meg or what?

The band are currently lining-up a string of showcases which include visits to the Virgin Megastore, Belfast (August 16 @ 12 noon); The Village, Dublin (September 9 + Lifehouse); and the Half Moon, Cork (27).

If you want to check out what they sound like, Leya have a rather nifty track included on the new Jon Richards/Galway Bay compilation, Embraces.