Lee & Willbee began as a collaboration between Lee Chameleon and Markus Willbee. The first time they met Lee and Willbee made music. In the beginning they formed a strong bond as the rhythm section for La Makita Soma. With Markus on bass and Lee on drums Makita Soma criss-crossed the country playing rock clubs, raves and music festivals showcasing their energetic blend of psychedelic rock and electronic dance music. LMS had multiple appearances at Austin TX South by Southwest and after both of their releases charted in the College Music Journal’s top 100 LMS was invited to play the CMJ festival in Yew York City.

Following the dissolution of LMS the musical bond and friendship formed by years of forging rhythms together continued. Both were eager to venture outside their previous musical roles and decided to start a project that would allow them to utilize all their ideas. Being multi-instrumentalists and pop enthusiasts Lee and Willbee decided to hide away with their instruments and record songs that had thematic and melodic integrity but sounded sweet like candy. A tonic for troubled souls who are not afraid of a catchy melody. The two spent many hours holed up in their Chicago studio crafting the songs until one fateful day when Markus was called away to the Mountains of Utah. They continued their endeavor via the world wide web and exchanged messages by telegraph.

During the long months of isolation an able bodied soul came to the aid and assistance of the hermits and reacquainted them with humanity. He added his ingredients to the elixir in an effort to sweeten the bitter syrup. Patrick Roche (Seattle) joined the boys and delivered a breath of fresh air to the project. Manning his guitar and savvy attention to detail he coaxed the two young men from their solitary existences and encouraged them to reassert themselves and peddle their musical elixir. It didn’t take long till the three were thick as theives. Patrick laid down some sweet guitar and the three were on their way.

LEE AND WILLBEE CURRENTLY LIVE IN CHICAGO, SEATTLE AND SALT LAKE CITY

“Lee & Willbee feels like a long-time favorite band upon only the first listen. After the second, you’re singing along. By the third listen, you want to play their songs for everyone you know.”

-Brandon Invergo (Evolutionary Biologist / Musician)

“At first glace one might assume Lee & Willbee are architects of despair, but closer inspection will reveal secret passages of hope and ambition.”

-Matt French (Surveillance Records)

“There is real sorrow here. Beautiful, catchy and sad. Lee’s glassy voice is sincere beyond most, and the songwriting is near perfect. I’ve spent days of my life listening to this on repeat.”

-Chris Eichenseer (Designer/Some Odd Pilot)

“With lush melodies complimented-no-completed by seductive and haunting vocals, Lee & Willbee evoke a unique sense of active sentimentality. Their songs invite you to have faith in renewal; faith in the inevitability of loss."

-Dina Slavensky (Artist Liaison/Freelance- Rompecabeza Bookings)