Neal and Leandra

Neal was on his way to medical school and Leandra to a career in international business when the road veered. Since then they have found themselves singing to sold out thousand seat venues in some towns and four people and a sick dog (true story) in others.

Leandra - private by nature - was dragged kicking and screaming into the spotlight. Even though she had acted in a professional theater group as a teenager, she had no desire to make a career out of it, and refused even to take solos in the high school choir. She grew up in Louisville, KY, and was raised on Perry Como and barbershop. As a little girl, all she ever wanted was to be on Johnny Carson. Not for her voice, not for her writing or stage presence, but because she thought Johnny would simply find her funny.

Neal thought a career in professional sports sounded good. He grew up in Montevideo, MN, and was raised on The Mamas and the Papas and Swedish hymns. Being a small college wishbone quarterback did not exactly prepare him for the NFL. It didn't prepare him for the folk world either, but he figured at least in music he wouldn't get landed on by 300 lb. noseguards. So, he wrote some songs, some people liked them, and he quit his med school plans to go on the road. He somehow convinced Leandra to go along.

Neal and Leandra married in 1989 and began touring as a duo full time. Signed by Columbia Artists Management and recording on one of the country's preeminent singer-songwriter labels (Red House Records), Neal & Leandra have since performed in nearly every state in the country.

The Washington Post says "as songwriters, Neal & Leandra have clearly mastered the art of saying more with less." The Minneapolis Star Tribune says "listening to Leandra Peak’s distinctively husky and lustrous voice might be as heavenly as listening to angels" and "Neal Hagberg writes inspired originals." And the Victory Review of Seattle writes that Neal & Leandra have "one of the most sensuous mix of voices I've heard."

bridge rail Neal & Leandra's bridge rail is an unflinching look at committed relationships. It lays bare the good and the bad of being with someone for a long time. Every new release by Neal & Leandra is met with high expectations for their trademark vocal harmonies, and their direct and eloquent songwriting. With the release of bridge rail all expectations for this Minnesota-based duo are met and surpassed. Together with percussionist Marc Anderson (Swallow the Earth), bassist John Munson (Semisonic), guitarist Dirk Freymouth (Hindu Rodeo), and keyboardist Jeff Victor (Honeydogs) each new song has been turned upside-down and around until the performance surprises, satifies and shines. bridge rail explores commitment - to another person and to oneself - and how difficult, satisfying, and sometimes devastating it can be. 10 original songs by Neal Hagberg & Leandra Peak (including one collaboration with Suzzy Roche) and a stunning cover of "Over the Rainbow" make up a CD that will by turns delight, comfort, and overwhelm with its insights into relationships - of all kinds. CD Price: $14.97

Listen to the Angels "Listen to the Angels is gorgeous and peaceful, joyful and true. Leandra was born to sing these songs...if you're feeling a little frosty, Neal's brave, open-hearted originals will allow you to melt...the perfect collection of songs to listen to whenever you want to be reminded of what Christmas is all about." Suzzy Roche CD Price: $14.97

Hearts & Hammers ""Compelling! 4 stars out of 4 - One of the top 5 folk albums of the year!" - St. Paul Pioneer Press. "This Minneapolis folk vocal duo has a catchy album [Hearts and Hammers] and a winning way with its easygoing music...They take often fresh and unexpected turns with the standard topics: life, love, and the problems that come when one has too much or not enough of either or both." - The East Bay Express CD Price: $14.97

Old Love "On Old Love, Neal & Leandra's Red House debut, songs are split between populist fables ('A Gambler's Life') and romantic overtures (the title cut and 'I'll Still Be With You'). But it would be wrong to pigeonhole the duo in that hoary stereotype of precious folksingers who venerate hobos, plead for globalism and affect the rustic. When the spirit moves them, Neal & Leandra can knock off a rocking bit of self-destruction ('Another Dead-End Romance'), turn cynics ('Self-Made Man') and doff their hats to romantically inclined nerds everywhere ('Hopelessly Square')." - St Paul Pioneer Press CD Price: $14.97