To hear the band tell it, World Leader Pretend's competition in New Orleans was, "washboard zydeco bands and men in suits with trombones. There wasn't a scene, let alone a race to make it to the top." But the band, then a trio featuring singer Keith Ferguson, keyboardist Parker Hutchinson and drummer Arthur Mintz, knew that destiny awaited them and muddled on. Shortly after coming together, the trio attempted to record a handful of Keith Ferguson-penned tunes in a run-down hotel in ...  [+]