Leslie Hall exudes positivity. The Ames, Iowa-native burst out of the internet with her Garage Band beats and colorful lyrics revolving around gem sweaters, zombies and gold pants. Along with her back up singers, The Ly’s, Hall is intent on making sure the audience has a good time. “I do humor and fun. I don’t ask you to have emotional feelings,” she says. On tour in support of her latest release, Destination Friendship, Hall is bringing new props, the opening bands (all from Central Iowa) and her beloved snack packs to The Waiting Room this Friday.
It’s been awhile since I last spoke to you. What’s new?
I’m still at this project. I’m still wearing gold suits and people still laugh when I jiggle. I have a new album coming out called Destination Friendship. It’s a new sound. I understand Garage Band a lot better. It’s less rappy, but still very Midwest. I continue to talk about similar themes though; like bringing your own water bottle to the club is a very important issue.
[Laughs] It’s like roofie prevention, too. Well, you seem to have made a huge transformation recently. You look great. What did you do?
I went vegan. I need to be. I wanted to be more socially conscious for the animals’ sake. It feels right and it completely changed my body. I’ve been vegan for about a year. It’s great. I’m pooping two times a day and losing all this weight.
Has that had an affect on your music?
I listen to my old songs and I do sing about cheese a lot. Man, I really loved cheese. I still can’t believe I did that. It changed my tune about that kind of stuff. Now I’m talking about drinking kombucha and eating veggie plates. But I’m still all about being chubby, confident and happy. I just want to be the more animal friendly version.
Leslie Hall and the Ly’s with Pennyhawk and Ramona and the Swimsuits, February 17, at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St., 9 p.m. Tickets are $10. Visit www.onepercentproductions.com for more information.