In 2006 Hemming moved to London to work with multi-instrumentalist and producer Christian Hardy; the pair have subsequently built a live band drawn from members of Brighton's Willkommen Collective and further afield, notably Mike Siddell who previously played violin with Hope of the States and currently performs with The Miserable Rich, Lightspeed Champion and Troubles. Other members of the band play with The Miserable Rich, Sons of Noel and Adrian and more.
The Leisure Society have been recipients of considerable critical acclaim since the release of their first single (see Discography), being dubbed the English answer to popular U.S acts such as Grizzly Bear, Department of Eagles and Fleet Foxes.
The band's debut single, "The Last Of The Melting Snow", was honoured with a 2009 Ivor Novello nomination for Best Song Musically & Lyrically.
In July 2009 the band signed with UK label Full Time Hobby, prompting the re-release of The Sleeper with a bonus EP entitled A Product Of The Ego Drain (the name originally intended for the debut album until a last-minute change of heart). The record has subsequently generated considerable fanfare across mainland Europe in print and on radio & TV.
In September 2009 Brian Eno cited the band as "The only other thing I've been listening to lately with enthusiasm", calling it "Such a beautiful album". This prompted a meeting between Nick Hemming, Christian Hardy and Brian Eno at his London studio.
In September 2009 the band recorded a cover of The Beatles song "Something" for the music magazine Mojo.
The third single from The Sleeper, "Save It For Someone Who Cares", was also nominated for the Ivor Novello in the same category as the previous year, making the band one of very few consecutive nominees.
In interviews on their recent European tours Nick Hemming and Christian Hardy have alluded to a darker, more expansive second record that they began recording in January 2010.
The band covered children's classic "Inchworm" from Hans Christian Andersen for American Laundromat Records charity CD Sing Me To Sleep - Indie Lullabies, released worldwide on May 18, 2010.
Nick Hemming and Christian Hardy also play with childhood friend Tim West in The Climbers, whose debut album was released in May 2010.
The band's second album Into The Murky Water was released on May 20th 2011. It received glowing critical praise and gave the band their first chart position.
The first single from the album, This Phantom Life, was released with a video starring Green Wing's Mark Heap.
In June 2011 the band were approached by new fan Ray Davies to collaborate on his new songs, resulting in a performance as part of his Meltdown festival.
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