Leonie Casanova is a London-based singer-songwriter. She was born and raised in Zambia to an Italian father and Zambian mother, and schooled in Swaziland, England and the USA where she studied Economics and French Literature before working on Wall Street.
Leonie's colourful and almost "nomadic" background has deeply informed her approach to song-writing and what to her is the intrinsic and essential story-telling element of this process. She is a smart and sensitive lyricist and vocalist and manages to cross and fuse genres and musical "textures" fluidly.
Approached by the film's Director and Producer to write and record a song for The World Unseen, Leonie was able to draw inspiration not just from the complexity of the relationships and topics explored in the novel (and the script), but also from her own experiences as a child in and in close proximity to South Africa, during and post Apartheid. The product, "Broken" is a layered and moving piece over the end of the film. The song was recorded in Cape Town with prolific producer and musician Murray Anderson who brought a subtle yet warm South African feel to the track.
Leonie also plays "Doris" - the "coloured" waitress in The World Unseen.
I Can't Think Straight features two original songs by Leonie, "Little Feeling" and "Holy Daughter" and she performs a third track specially written for the movie. The variety and depth of her work are evident in the range she shows in both films.
Visit Leonie's Facebook and MySpace pages.
