Inside True Stories, Leon Prince’s Deeply Personal Musical Universe
Punk Head: Most artists release collections of songs, but you’ve chosen to build an interconnected universe. At what point did you realise that one story wasn’t enough?
Leon Prince: After writing the first version of It Should’ve Been Me and while working on Sexy Cami Set, I realized I needed to tell the complete story. Sexy Cami Set is only a snapshot of a much larger experience, and each song on the EP is another chapter in that journey. My hope is that hearing the full story helps someone going through something similar. If it resonates with even one person and reminds them they aren’t alone in heartbreak, then it has served its purpose. That’s what True Stories represents.
Punk Head: Does writing for Leon Prince allow you to explore emotions or perspectives differently than writing simply as yourself?
Leon Prince: Absolutely. Leon Prince gives me the freedom to express thoughts and emotions I might otherwise keep to myself. It’s therapeutic, and it gives me a way to share personal experiences I’ve lived through and witnessed. Every song on True Stories is rooted in real events and told from my perspective. Leon Prince becomes the voice that brings those stories together, allowing listeners to focus on the emotion and message rather than the person behind them.
Punk Head: The title immediately catches attention, but the narrative underneath is surprisingly reflective. Was that contrast intentional?
Leon Prince: Yes. I wanted to create songs that grab attention while leaving people with something meaningful to reflect on afterward. Sexy Cami Set may sound playful on the surface, but underneath it’s about heartbreak, attraction, feeling undervalued, resilience, and realizing someone’s worth. I enjoy making music that entertains while encouraging listeners to reflect on their own situations.
Punk Head: The project is called True Stories. How do you decide which real experiences belong in the music and which are better left private?
Leon Prince: Every song is built around genuine emotions and real experiences. At the same time, songwriting lets me express truth without revealing every detail. I tell authentic stories from my perspective while respecting others' privacy, and sometimes I combine similar experiences into a single narrative. My goal isn’t to create a historical record of events; it’s to capture emotions listeners may recognize in their own lives.
Punk Head: Your videos seem designed as extensions of the songs rather than promotional content. Do you begin imagining visual scenes while you’re still writing the lyrics?
Leon Prince: Almost always. As I’m writing, I can usually see the story unfolding in my mind. I want listeners to experience the songs like short films, with visuals expanding the emotion and narrative rather than simply promoting the music. Many music videos feel like collections of unrelated images, but I believe a music video should complement the song and serve as a visual extension of the song's story.
Punk Head: If True Stories were eventually experienced from beginning to end, what journey would you hope listeners feel they’ve taken?
Leon Prince: Listeners will have the opportunity to experience True Stories from beginning to end in the near future as I complete and release the project. The next single, The Standard, is scheduled for release in mid-July, and although Sexy Cami Set was released first, it actually represents the second chapter of the story. In my own life, The Standard is where everything began.
Ultimately, I hope listeners feel they’ve experienced a relatable journey; one that moves through attraction, heartbreak, hope, disappointment, reflection, forgiveness, and second chances. More than anything, I want people to realize they aren’t alone. We all carry experiences that shape who we become, and if someone finishes True Stories feeling understood, encouraged to change their circumstances, or simply knowing someone else has walked a similar path, then I’ve accomplished exactly what I set out to do.
