Oakleas Rise - Singer/Songwriters Lesley Curtis & Stuart Mcleod

Lesley Curtis & Stuart Mcleod

- About Us -

Curtis & Mcleod are a singer/songwriting and performing duo comprised of Lesley Curtis & Stuart McLeod. Their first collaboration was in 2014 when they co-wrote songs for Lesley’s third solo album ‘Looking for the Girl’. This was the start of their songwriting partnership.

In August 2015 they formed ‘Oakleas Rise’ and released their debut album ‘Little White Lies’ in 2019 plus two singles in 2020 –‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ and ‘A Little Bit of Understanding’.

In 2022 following a move to the East Riding of Yorkshire, they found that creatively it opened new doors to projects and individual writing outside of their ‘Oakleas Rise’ parameters that didn’t quite fit into their duo persona. So, with this fresh approach to their music, they decided in July 2024 to change their name from Oakleas Rise to ‘Curtis & Mcleod’ to reflect and celebrate this.

They have opened this new era by releasing the singles ‘You Owe Me Your Rent’ and ‘For A Little Love’ which they wrote for a ‘Folk Opera’ they are involved with. You can see them in the show 'Sarah... (Life Turned Her That Way)' currently playing at venues throughout East Yorkshire.

They are currently working on a new indie-folk album 'Red Kite' due for release in 2025.

- Reviews -

“Excellent songwriting and a high-quality performance. Lesley’s voice is just beautiful, complimented perfectly by Stuart’s harmonies and guitar playing. Their songs are wonderfully crafted and they are a pleasure to watch perform live. Get to a gig and see them soon!”
Audio Vendor

"A phenomenal acoustic duo who are now establishing a growing reputation in East Yorkshire after moving from Cambridgeshire over three years ago where they regularly performed at venues such as The Stamford Arts Centre, The Glasshouse Sessions and Mama Liz's plus plus appearances on BBC Radio Cambridge . They have also toured the West Coast of Scotland playing venues such as The Corran Hall in Oban."
EFR

"The songs that Curtis & Mcleod performed for us were absolutely wonderful and could only have been produced by two experienced musicians."
The Narrowboat Sessions

"It was a pleasure to welcome Curtis & Mcleod to the FFF Sessions. The duo played a selection of their own songs including some new ones from their forthcoming album Red Kite. I would like to express my own

appreciation and look forward to welcoming them back next year for a return performance."
Gordon Beastall - The Holderness & East Riding Gazette

"Curtis & Mcleod have been an integral part of the Folk Musical 'Sarah' a production by The Beggar's Folk Music Foundation. Lesley and Stuart have written, recorded and released two singles from the show, 'You Owe Me Your Rent' and 'For A Little Love'. They have been performing in the musical across Holderness at venues in Withersea, Roos, Elstronwick, Kilnsea, Hedon and Patrington with a recent performance taking place further afield at the Leeds Irish Centre.

The Holderness & East Riding Gazette

- Live Dates -

List of Services

- Music -

'For A Little Love' and 'You Owe Me Your Rent' are two track specially commissioned by
The Beggars Folk Music Foundation for the Folk Opera - Sarah Kelly