Lightweight Champion is a musical collaboration between four seasoned Seattle-based musicians, focused around the songwriting of lead singer Aaron Spieldenner. Late 2021 brought the group together in its initial form, with Spieldenner joined by Massachusetts-raised singer-songwriter Gabriel Delayne on piano, along with Vermont-native Cam Hancock on drums - member of Seattle-based bands The Whags and Coral Grief. Briefly joined by singer-songwriter Noah Byrd on bass, the band self-produced their seminal EP “Valley” over the next year, consisting of a spread of old and new songs by Spieldenner. The EP demonstrates the bands versatility and arrangement prowess – it merges Spieldenner’s lyrics-forward style with warm and textural production, leaning on alt-country influences augmented by explorations into indie/alternative sonic territory. In October 2022, New Jersey-raised Tom Moskal joined the group on bass (originally of notable Seattle acts Coach Phillips and La Fille) and the band debuted at the historic Conor Byrne Pub in Ballard, WA. They released their EP on hometown-hero DIY cassette label Den Tapes in April 2023.
Live, the band’s arrangements are infectious – tight vocal harmonies between Delayne and Spieldenner are propped up by deliberate, often dancey rhythmic interplay between Hancock and Moskal. From time to time, Spieldenner’s lead guitar will take center stage, a rough and emotive ingredient to contrast the focused arrangements of the group. Delayne’s deliberate and lyrical piano style rounds it all out. The band’s live sound notably contrasts their recorded material, and that’s the way they like it – if the recording studio is a place to hone in on and design their sound, the stage is a place for them to find their edge and experiment.
Topically, the band’s music is far-reaching – covering issues ranging from wide-scope commentaries on the world and our relationship to it, to more introspective observations focused on the relatable and interpersonal. As for influences, catch Spieldenner at an open mic a couple nights a week – he cites many of his peers as prominent influences for his writing, including LC collaborator and longtime friend Gabriel Delayne.
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