The Dead Leaves (formerly "Matt Joe Gow and The Dead Leaves") is an Australian alternative rock band formed in 2009. Their line up consists of vocalist/guitarist Matt Joe Gow, guitarist Andrew Pollock, bassist Cameron Grindrod and drummer Joel Witenberg. The band is based in Melbourne, Australia, although Joe Gow is from New Zealand. The group initially formed to serve as a backing band on Matt Joe Gow's solo album The Messenger, released through Liberation Music in July 2009. Produced by Nash Chambers, the album features instrumental contributions from Jim Moginie and Bill Chambers. The first single off the album, "Come What May" received some international airplay. The Messenger is, however, considered by the band as predominately a solo work.
The group's 2012 album Cities on the Sea (released in February 2012, produced by Scott Horscroft and Eric J Dubowsky) is regarded as their first official album. The album marks a change in direction from the solo material and features guest vocals from Emma Louise and Gin Wigmore.