LETO’s Far-Reaching Love of Music
The duo talks about finding romance and life lessons in music and early-aughts pop culture.
For those who have not heard your music before, how would you describe it to them? How would you finish the sentence “LETO is ___” or “LETO’s music is ___”?
“LETO is romance.” There is a saying that romance often comes from waste. Perhaps to some, engaging in music [is] seen as inefficient. To those who don’t know us, it might just seem like a hobby, and it might not be the best choice for financial stability. But we love music. The act of making music itself is our romance, and we believe it is our way of learning how to love.
Who or what first inspired you to pursue a music career?
Charmy: I have grown up listening to Korean indie rock. Over time, I naturally encountered music from various countries, like Japan, the U.S., and the UK. I developed admiration not only for legendary bands, but also for musicians who steadfastly support their local indie scenes. Eventually, I aspired to become a meaningful presence in the Korean indie scene, which led me to start making music. Though I started with no knowledge, I quickly realized how much joy making music brings me, and that passion has kept me going ever since.
Leto: Since childhood, I have thought that musicians are cool. The ways they present their creations to the world and perform [are] incredibly charming to me. Ultimately, Charmy was the biggest inspiration for my pursuit of a music career. [When] I met Charmy and discovered our shared love of music, the idea of creating something together excited us. As we recorded, released, and performed our music, we found immense joy in the process.
What are the three biggest sources of inspiration for your music?
Our biggest inspirations are anime, games, and love. The unique atmospheres of 2000s Asian anime and games serve as a significant creative source for us. Additionally, living together and inspiring each other daily, our music naturally reflects our personal stories.
Please describe your newest single, “Wings”!
“Wings” explores a different style from our previous music. We aimed to blend an intense band sound with lyrical vocals that enhance the rhythm of the Korean language. The song reflects on unavoidable childhood wounds and tells the story of carving a new path in life.
You describe “Wings” as “The final story of the first adventure.” Can you explain what you mean by that?
We have released four digital singles so far. These four songs symbolize our first journey, and “Wings” serves as a reflection on everything we have experienced during this time.
Please talk about each of these songs:
“Rock&Roll In Summer”: [This is] our debut song and the one that has received the most love. This track has helped us sustain our music career financially.
“New Romance”: Interestingly, there is a French hip-hop artist also named Leto. Due to this, we unexpectedly gained attention from people in France who mistook us for them.
“Borderline”: The album cover shows [Leto] with [his] eyes closed, but it wasn’t intentional. During the music video shoot, [he] was experiencing severe allergies and couldn’t keep [his] eyes open. However, the final result turned out to match the mood of the song beautifully, and we were very satisfied with it.
What are your goals for the rest of 2025?
In 2025, our biggest goal is to release our first full-length album. We have recently completed recording three pre-release singles for the album and are preparing for bigger performances. Additionally, we plan to launch a crowdfunding campaign to offer fans a variety of goods, including tapes and t-shirts.
What are your longer-term career goals?
We are a duo band and a couple. While achieving musical success is important, our greatest goal is to enjoy making music together for as long as possible.
Lastly, is there anything else you want to say about yourselves or your music?
Through our music, we want to capture the 2000s Asian culture that we love. If you appreciate Nintendo and Sony games, anime like FLCL, or Asian indie music, we believe our music will be a great fit for you.
Check out LETO’s newest single here, and support them on Bandcamp here!
Answers have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. Photo courtesy of LETO.