"Spinning Leaves has proven to be an unmistakable part of the new folk phenomenon in Philadelphia and beyond. Their sound, for one, is a whistle at the start of a great sprint, the bell of human musical freedom: spurts of gang vocals, slide guitars, dulcimers, and foot stomps over America melodies. And still, Spinning Leaves, the force, transcends the sound. They connect with artists, organizations and individuals to create movement in the Philadelphia musical landscape. Nearly anywhere you hear of innovative artistic activity, you hear this name in association." - Levi Landis - Executive Director, Philadelphia Folksong Society

Oso is currently in the studio working on their second record. While the first record was mostly a creation inspired by singer, Mike Schaller's 3 year journey to the west coast, the new songs were written and are performed more collaboratively with brother Steve Schaller and long time friend and bassist Mike Gordon. The sound is characterized by strong vocal harmonies, dancing basslines, folk instrumentation and sparse arrangements.

"Gallo brought musician friends into the fold and they never left. Now a nine-piece featuring the talents of multi-instrumentalist Noah Skaroff (Falkonr) and backup singers Kate Foust (Perkasie) and Vinchelle Woods, among others, Toy Soldiers more handily resembles The Band, sonically and otherwise. Their debut full-length Whisper Down the Lane sounds much bigger than the guys we saw at The Fire last winter." --John Vettese, Philadelphia City Paper