Christian Leave

Born on May 1, 2000, in Oklahoma, Christian Akridge, known professionally as Christian Leave, spent his formative years in Wichita Falls, Texas, where his father served as a pastor and his family was involved in church music. His early exposure to popular music was initially limited, but he discovered artists like Stevie Wonder at age 13, which sparked his interest in music. He expanded his musical influences through the internet, leading him to learn guitar, bass, and piano. In 2015, at 14, Christian began sharing comedic videos and music covers on Vine, quickly gaining over 100,000 followers and participating in the PressPlay tour, a showcase for young social media personalities.

Christian’s music career began with his debut EP, “Hope,” released in 2016 under his birth name, Christian Akridge. This EP featured original songs primarily about young love, with the track “Please Notice” quickly accumulating tens of millions of streams. “Hope” subsequently debuted at number seven on both the Independent Albums and Heatseekers Albums charts. In early 2018, he self-released his debut full-length album, “Heartbreak Room,” which showcased a shift towards electric guitar and keyboard-driven tracks. Following his move to Los Angeles and turning 18, he adopted the alias Christian Leave and signed with Godmode/Warner, releasing the “Trilogy” EP and the single “Never” later that year. This period marked a transition towards a more indie rock-oriented sound.

His artistic evolution continued into the 2020s, with EPs like “Heavy Hitting Hurts My Head” (2021) and “Days Like Lost Dogs” (2021), where his lyrical focus expanded to address anxiety and depression alongside his rise to fame. The “Superstar” EP, released in 2022, further balanced his indie/art rock style with pop and singer-songwriter elements. Christian Leave’s career highlights his adaptability, moving from early acoustic pop to a more mature and introspective indie rock sound while maintaining a connection with a growing audience.