About That Song: Leslie Vincent
About That Song #91
In our special series, singer-songwriter Sarah Morris interviews artists about the songs that shaped them.
Hi! I’m Sarah Morris. I’m wildly in love with songs and the people who write them. There have been a few songs in my life that have been total gamechangers—songs that made me want to be a songwriter and songs I’ve written that made me feel like I am a songwriter. About That Song is a space where I can learn more about those pivotal songs in other writers’ lives.
For our 91st edition, I was happy to connect with Leslie Vincent! We talked about songs (and books!) that influenced her artistic journey and the making of her wonderful upcoming album.
Leslie Vincent. Photo credit: Margherita Andreani.
Sarah: Leslie Vincent! Hi Leslie! In the last few years, you have appropriately gained a reputation for being a singular presence in the Twin Cities music scene. An incredible vocalist with a dynamic, playful, generous spirit—any time I’ve gotten the chance to see you, I’ve been blown away. I feel like you have high heels lightly planted in the jazz scene, and you frequently dance on over into pop, soul, and singer-songwriter territory. You have a beautiful new album set for local release in a few weeks, with a national debut scheduled for early next year. Little Black Book expertly marries the Great American Songbook with “modern-day dating strife. Plus, antics.”
This feels like a perfect opportunity to learn more about your musical journey—specifically, the songs that brought you to this moment, and this album. Do you remember the song you heard that made you want to be a songwriter? Tell us about that song.
Leslie: I do! It was “Margaret vs. Pauline” by Neko Case, the first song on Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. I had never heard a record like that and certainly never heard a song like that. I didn’t know it then, but my obsession with those lyrics, the storytelling, crept into the way I approach songwriting.
Sarah: A dear friend gave me that record years ago, and I—wasn’t ready for it at the time. But I’m listening now, and yeah, I can hear how this would inspire. Those lyrics are OBSESSABLE. The playful piano cutting through the dreamy instrumentation, the swoon-worthy vocals … so good! Thank you for bringing me back to that album!
Once you began writing, did you feel like a writer immediately? It took me a few years of writing before I believed it—was there a song that gave you that “a-HA! I AM a songwriter!” moment? Tell us about that song.
Leslie: I actually started writing joke songs for the theater, and so, in that way, I did feel like a real writer—I was making people laugh! But when I moved into writing more emotionally connected songs, it took me a loooong time. If there’s a book about writing or writing songs (Big Magic, On Writing, Bird By Bird, How to Write One Song), I’ve probably read it. Reading about the creative process gives me more grace with myself!
Sarah: I’ve read those books; they’ve each made an impression on my writerly heart. I’ve never thought of them before as places to go to give myself more grace, but I think that’s absolutely it. Reading others’ thoughts on the creative process keeps me supple and writing from a place of serving, rather than grasping and falling.
Leslie: On the new record, there’s a song called “Love on Cape Cod.” It was a storytelling moment that was important for me to capture, but I rewrote the whole song 5–6 times to get it right, each time going to my wife saying, “Is this it?” (My wife is an incredible writer and my ultimate taste tester!) And when it finally came together, I had that moment of, “Yeah, I can do this.” Not only that, but I love to do this.
Sarah: I think it’s lovable—the “doing this.” I’m so glad you had that moment, especially after multiple rewrites. Rewriting is an area of songwriting I’m still, let’s say, in the early stages of learning.
Before we dig too much into the upcoming album, I wanted to talk about a song from your 2023 album, About Last Night. “Throw down the windows, start to shout at so much beauty in this world to cry about.” This lyric, from “Psychedelics With You” is such a stunning, shining truth embedded in a festive fizz of horns and champagne-sparkle vocal lines. Can you tell us about that song?
Leslie: “Psychedelics With You” is a love letter to one of my best friends. We went to college together and lived together, spent practically every moment together before I moved to Minnesota. I went to San Francisco to visit, and we had this one magical night. A lot of people don’t know that it’s a song about missing your best friend, but I wrote it because I was missing him and our young lives together. Fun fact: The lyric, “You leap so high into the skies / And pull the stars around our eyes,” is because he’s a beautiful dancer.
Leslie Vincent’s Little Black Book album artwork.
Sarah: It’s a beautiful tribute, and incredibly FUN. It feels like an ode to younger lives in a celebratory manner. Also worthy of celebration, you have a new album coming out soon. Congratulations! On the upcoming single (out everywhere this Friday) “Tallying Strangers,” you wonder if the person you’re waiting for is similarly waiting for you—over the swankiest of grooves. The melody has a patient confidence to it that left me feeling, as a listener, some sense of … indeed—you’d take your time to find the “right” one. Can you tell us about that song?
Leslie: This is one of the first songs I wrote for the record. One of my friends told me she went on her 100th first date, and it struck me—her resilience to find her person—and I started to imagine what this “person” was doing. I started reflecting on my own dating history and how it felt to just meet stranger after stranger, the exhaustion, and staying strong to fight for what you want. I wanted the song to feel like you’re walking down the street, looking at all these strangers.
Sarah: I think you did it!
“The world doesn’t have room for all our truth”—this lyric, slipped deftly into the string-filled “Harriet The Spy,” captivated me. Also, I’m always here for a song based on a classic book, yes please! Can you tell us about that song?
Leslie: Hahaha. I have always been fascinated with the story of Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh. As I remember it, in the book/movie, Harriet writes her real feelings about her friends and classmates in her journal. And when that journal becomes public, she’s roasted and ostracized. What a nightmare! After hearing this story, I became incredibly concerned about which honest feelings I should say out loud, write down, or even think!
The concept of “white lies” was tough for me, a dreamy but highly literal child. And now, as a life-long people pleaser with a big mouth, I’m still not sure I know: When is it helpful to tell the truth, and when should I shut my mouth? This song is still me untangling these ideas and working through my own feelings about them.
Sarah: Oh gosh, yes. When is it helpful? One of my favorite quotes of the last few years is Brené Brown's “Clear is kind.” I like it because sometimes/often my brain wants that simple mantra. It’s hard to live into because … I, too, have the people-pleaser tendencies, but it feels like a valiant effort. Cheers to making that untangling of ideas into such a gorgeous song.
Do you have any upcoming Midwest shows where we might hear you sing these songs?
Leslie: The band and I will play through the whole record on Sunday, November 16th, at The Parkway! It’ll be our only time playing through the record with all of the special guests who recorded with us, including violin, tenor saxophone, and trombone!
Sarah: How FUN! We’ve got a link to that show below so that everyone can attend. Thank you, Leslie, for stopping by About That Song. Wishing you so much success with the new record!
Get your tickets to see Leslie Vincent and her band as they celebrate their latest album Little Black Book on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at The Parkway Theater in Minneapolis. Doors are at 6pm and music starts at 7. Special guests to be announced!
Listen to “Psychedelics With You”
Little Black Book Album Credits
Produced by Leslie Vincent, Blake Foster, Patrick Adkins, Matt McIntyre, Ben Ehrlich, Mitch Van Laar
Vocals/Lyrics/Composition: Leslie Vincent
Piano/Synthesizer/Organ: Patrick Adkins
Guitar/Composition: Blake Foster
Bass/Guitar: Matt McIntyre
Drums/Auxiliary Percussion: Ben Ehrlich
Trumpet: Mitch Van Laar
Guest Vocals/Songwriting: jeremy messersmith
Tenor Saxophone: Stephanie Wieseler
Trombone: Zach Marley
Violin: Mary Alice Hutton
Horn Arrangement: Sam Charlton
Recording: Nicholas Tveitbakk, Studio Engineer, Pachyderm Recording Studios
Mixing: Rich Lamb, Alley Cat Studio
Additional Edits: Eric J. Martin; Hideaway Studios, Jason McGlone
Additional Tracking: Charlie Bruber, 8VB Studios
Mastering: Bruce Templeton, Microphonic Mastering
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Morris. Photo credit: Tom Smouse.
Sarah Morris is a superfan of songs and the people who write them, and a believer that certain songs can change your life. A singer-songwriter / mama / bread maker / coffee drinker who recently released her fifth album of original material, she’s been known to joyfully sing with people in her Big Green Bathroom.
