Leigh started recording in 2010 and collaborated with Violet Maimbourg on numerous music videos from 2013 to 2015.
During his hiatus, Leigh worked as a teacher, and Maimbourg spent those years in “self-reflection” and came to terms with being transgender and transitioning. Maimbourg also began attending Cleveland Institute of Art for Sculpture + Expanded Media.
She intends to be a special effects artist in the film industry.
Leigh says the album title is a reference to the “tough exterior that he portrays to the world.”
“I think everyone has a ‘metal jacket,’” he says. “It means going into the world unafraid of what people might think of you and being your true authentic self. Violet [Maimbourg] has always had a vision, and believed in my music.”
“Being able to work with [Leigh] again has really been a gift,” says Maimbourg, who shot the video locally in Asiatown (and yes, the snow in it is real). “I was so worried about what he would think of me or how I could create a music video after transforming my entire life. Our creative bond has always been strong, and I think we created a kick-ass comeback video.”
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This article appears in Dec 16-29, 2020.
