Roo (Ruthie De Leon) and the Reverend (Dan De Leon), a daughter-and-dad band, combine vocal harmonies with keys, guitar, violin, and bass for songs ranging from alternative folk to acoustic rock and new wave. With Mac De Leon on drums, their LP, Of the Lion, moves from melancholy melodies—invoking Metric, The Smiths, The Sundays—to energetic hooks inspired by The Cure, Bob Mould, and Superchunk.
Episode 15: Making "Of the Lion" - Track 10: "On the Inside"
In this final episode of the podcast series, Roo and the Reverend discuss "On the Inside," a song inspired by the themes of friendship, belonging, and chosen family found in Roo's favorite book series, The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater.
Ruthie shares how the song started as a simple ukulele and guitar composition. Once recording began, the song evolved into something grander with the addition of keys and drums, making way for one of the album's most sweeping and cinematic tracks.
Roo and the Reverend are thankful to all the listeners who have tuned in to these special episodes. We appreciate your support, and we sincerely hope you enjoy "Of The Lion." The album is available for listening and purchasing at [rooandthereverend.bandcamp.com](rooandthereverend.bandcamp.com).
5 Jun 2026
Episode 14: Making "Of the Lion" - Track 9: "I Know You Hate That About Me"
In this episode, Roo and the Reverend discuss "I Know You Hate That About Me," a song born from the experience and tension of feeling rooted in a place while knowing that who you are sits uneasily with parts of the culture around you. Together, they dig into the song's core conviction: that naming uncomfortable truths is part of being in relationship with one another, and that everyone, without exception, belongs.
Roo and the Reverend also talk about the process of writing the song together - how their collaboration shaped the final result in ways neither could have arrived at alone.
29 May 2026
Episode 13: Making "Of the Lion" - Track 8: "Blue"
In this episode, Roo and the Reverend discuss Track 8, "Blue," the very first song Ruthie ever wrote. Written during sixth grade in the early days of the COVID lockdown, the song was inspired by a guilty-pleasure novel that had captured her imagination.
Ruthie talks about the self-consciousness that came with writing a song for the first time and letting someone else hear it. Dan remembers trying to encourage her without influencing the song too much, a delicate process that often felt like tiptoeing through unfamiliar territory. Together, they revisit those early songwriting sessions, what inspired "Blue," and how a preteen who had never written anything before ended up creating her first original song.
27 May 2026
Episode 12: Making "Of the Lion" - Track 7: "Before We Get to Harmony"
In the next episode in our podcast series, "Making 'Of the Lion,' Roo and the Reverend explore the meaning behind track 7: "Before We Get to Harmony." Written in the Summer of 2020, when calls for racial justice had reached a fever pitch across the country, the song reflects on America's ongoing struggle to confront its history of racism. It also harkens back to the Civil Rights Movement and the idea that reparations — not just reconciliation — are necessary before true harmony can be achieved.
20 May 2026
Episode 11: Making "Of the Lion" - Track 6: "It All Fell Apart"
In the next episode of our Making "Of the Lion” podcast series, we take listeners behind the scenes of track 6, “It All Fell Apart.” Inspired by The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Ruthie reflects on reading the Shakespeare play in English class and delving into the themes of betrayal, revenge and tragic loss. From literary inspiration to songwriting choices, this episode offers a closer look at how classic stories still speak powerfully into modern music.
20 May 2026
Episode 6: Making "Of the Lion" - Track 1: "Clarisse"
In anticipation of the release of our first album, we're bringing to you a podcast series where we talk about the making of said album, one song at a time. Give a listen to find out what inspired Roo to write the first track, "Clarisse" and how it all came together in the studio. You'll also get a sneak peak of the song.
20 May 2026
Episode 9: Making "Of the Lion" - Track 4: "Nightbird"
Episode 4 of our Making “Of the Lion” podcast series is here—and this one dives into “Nightbird.”
Like a few tracks on the album, “Nightbird” was inspired by a book character. In this episode, we talk about how that character shaped the mood of the track, how the arrangement evolved in the studio, and the moments where everything just clicked.
Listen in and step into the world of “Nightbird.”
20 May 2026
Episode 8: Making "Of the Lion" - Track 3: "Francis"
Episode 3 of our Making "Of the Lion" podcast series is FINALLY here!
This time, we’re diving into Track 3: “Francis.” In this episode, we unpack the story behind the song—centered on a book character close to Roo’s heart—what sparked its creation, and how it took shape over time.
We also share how the piano part Roo wrote and performs came together right in the studio, along with some of the creative, collaborative moments between all three De Leons that helped bring the track to life.
It’s another behind-the-scenes look at the heart of the album and the process that shaped it.
Tune in to hear the story behind “Francis.”
20 May 2026
Episode 7: Making "Of the Lion" - Track 2: "I Can't"
As we get closer to the release of the album, we’re back with episode two of our podcast. This time, we’re diving into the second song on the album, “I Can’t” — what inspired Roo to write it, how the track evolved, and the moments in the studio that brought it to life. Tune in to hear the story behind the song.
20 May 2026
Episode 10: Making "Of the Lion" - Track 5: "Memories of June"
Episode 5 of our Making “Of the Lion” podcast series is out now. This one tells the story behind track 5, “Memories of June,” as Roo and Dan are joined by a special guest—Mac De Leon who plays drums on the album.
Inspired by the enduring love story of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, “Memories of June” carries a bit of history with it. The song is a revival of one Dan originally wrote years ago for one of his former bands, “That’s Mister to You.”
In this episode, we talk about bringing the song back to life, reshaping it for Of the Lion, and the influence of Johnny and June’s story on the final version.
10 Aug 2020
Episode 5: Let’s Talk About Gender (In)Equity: Part 1 of 7 Issues, 7 Podcasts
Roo and the Preacher Dad kick off a 7- part series looking at issues of gender equality and equity based on a recent series of articles from the New York Times called, “In Her Words: 7 Issues, 7 Days.” This first episode looks at Emma Goldberg’s piece, “A World Made for Men,” and how women being underrepresented affects all of us.
29 Jun 2020
Episode 4: Summer vacations, preteen phobias, and gun violence pre-coronavirus
We recorded this episode when Roo was 11 and just starting the 6th grade. The world was a few months away from being introduced to the coronavirus. A lot has changed since then in our conversational dynamic, and certainly with the culture we’re living in, but we thought it would be refreshing to share some hindsight perspective. So, on this episode we recap our summer vacation from August of 2019 at Universal Studios in Orlando, we discuss Roo’s fear of human beings dressed as animals, and we talk about gun violence and how it’s shaped our everyday lives.
9 Jun 2020
Episode 3: George Floyd: Talking about Racism
4 May 2020
Episode 2: Our First Coronavirus Convo
After finally launching their podcoast with an introductory episode they recorded in August of 2019, well before the coronavirus turned the world upside town, Roo & the Preacher Dad follow up with a second episode recorded on May 2, 2020, about life during a global pandemic, how they're feeling emotionally and mentally, God's role in all of this, and even life when the era of COVID-19 subsides.
26 Apr 2020
Episode 1: Introducing Roo & the Preacher Dad
On this first episode of Roo & the Preacher Dad, the daddy-dauther duo warm up to podcasting by introducing themselves, bringing listeners into their world of school and extracurriculars for Roo and ministry and family life for the Preacher Dad. They even share some of their fears and worries when it comes to being the child of a pastor and being the parent of a preteen while shepherding a congregation in today's world. The podcasters love to play music together, so this first episode also shares a snippet of the first song they wrote together, "Nothing Can Keep Us Apart."
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