Rochdale Music Stories: Spotlight on Leo HC

At just 20 years old, Leo HC has already carved out a distinctive voice in the North’s independent music scene. A solo musician known for his introspective, alternative‑folk sound, Leo weaves soft acoustics, expressive vocals and lush reverb into tracks that feel both intimate and expansive. Born and raised in Greater Manchester and now based in Sheffield for his studies, he balances his solo work with performing in the Sheffield‑based band Junk, all while continuing to develop his own musical identity - one that culminated in the release of his debut album in November 2024.

As part of Rochdale Music Stories, Leo has taken on a new creative challenge: crafting his own interpretation of Up the Down Escalator by The Chameleons, celebrating one of the borough’s most iconic musical legacies. We spoke to him about the process behind the cover, his journey as a young musician, and what this year’s Town of Culture has meant to him personally and creatively.

1. How has Rochdale shaped or supported your career as an artist? 

   I honestly cannot speak highly enough of the music service and all of the work the team there do to help young artists not only learn to play but also to play in front of audiences. I feel like there are so many great musicians out there that will never be discovered as they’re too afraid to perform for an audience and I think the fact that the music service facilitates that step so much is an amazing thing.
    

2. Can you tell us a bit about your own creative journey - how did you get started in music? 

   I actually began playing music at school through Rochdale Music Service. I then joined the music service’s folk band run by Cliff Woodworth (and later, rock school) and then, upon moving for uni, decided to go it alone with my music and have since put out an album and a single, with much more on the way!
    

3. Are there any local venues, events, or people who’ve been especially important to your journey? 

   Rochdale feel-good festival was my first real taste of what live music could be and so that will always stand out in my mind. In terms of people, Cliff Woodworth (again) will always be a very important person to my journey, having known him since I was seven and learning to play guitar I feel like he has seen my music journey in all of its forms and he has helped shape it into what it is today.
    

4. How would you describe Rochdale’s creative scene right now? 

   If I had to describe it in one word it would be ‘underrated’. There is so much happening in Rochdale and so many interesting venues and spaces which seem to be wrongly going under the radar.
    

5. Which song are you covering for the Rochdale Music Stories project? Does this song have any personal significance to you? 

   I am covering Up The Down Escalator by the Chameleons. This song is quite eerie in a way as much of its subject matter (disdain for the Thatcherite government) seems to ring more and more true today. I think the song serves as both a reminder and a warning of what went wrong and it feels important that I have been able to reiterate that in my own style for Rochdale Music Stories.
    

6. What has been your favourite experience in being part of the Rochdale Music Stories project? 

   Of course it has to be recording in Voltalab studio! The experience was very fulfilling and I was surrounded by a very passionate and supportive group of people to help get the job done.
    

7. What’s been a standout moment for you as a musician or performer in Rochdale?

   I think playing as one half of Orladh and Leo (a duo I was in with an incredibly talented violinist and singer, Orladh Dunne) at Rochdale Folk Festival was a really standout moment for me. I remember walking through town on my way back from sixth form and seeing our name on the festival posters and I still remember how excited I felt, that feeling never really goes away for me as a musician.
    

8. What advice would you give to emerging artists in the borough? 

   I think, again, my advice would be to be unapologetically yourself in your music - there is no ‘right’ genre or style. I went through a long period of thinking that my being first and foremost a folk guitarist wasn’t ‘cool’ or ‘useful’ to me as a musician but I’ve come to realise that it has enabled me to express myself so much and when I perform and am able to make people feel things with my music it’s the best feeling in the world.
    

9. This year, Rochdale is Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025-26! What does this title mean to you as a creative? 

   To me, it means putting a spotlight on all of the inspiring work going under the radar in Rochdale, and sharing the history of the town with others.
    

10. What are you most excited about during this Town of Culture year? 

    Being able to represent Rochdale during this period is exciting and a real honour.
    
     

11. What would you love to see more of in Rochdale’s music or arts community moving forward? 

    I would like to see more people being unapologetically themselves in their art. There really are no boxes to fit in and I’d be so excited to see some crazy whacky music and art coming out of Rochdale in the future, the means are there!
     

12. And finally, what’s next for you - any exciting projects or performances coming up, aside from Rochdale Music Stories? 

    I am always keeping busy with gigs both as myself and in my band: junk. I am really excited to be performing with junk in Dublin in November as it feels like a huge step in the right direction. As for my own music, though, I’ve got a new single in the works which I feel is almost ready for release so watch this space.
     

13. Is your music available online for people to listen? If so, where? 

    It is! You can find me on all major streaming platforms under the name “leo hc” and if you want to check out my band we’re also on streaming as “junk” (our most recent EP is titled “phishing”).

Keep up with Leo HC’s journey and music by following him on Instagram @Leowoco.

Grab your ticket to the Rochdale Music Stories launch here.

To keep up to date with Rochdale’s fast-paced arts and culture scene, follow us on Instagram @Rochdale.Creates.