Jimmy LaValle is no novice when it comes to music — he’s been playing since the age of four.

Classically trained and fluent in the language of music, LaValle has been a part of several musical acts in recent years. Such acts include Tristeza, an ambient piano-rock outfit hailing from San Diego, and The Black Heart Procession. His newest project, Album Leaf, is compiled of his solo work.

“I’ve always kind of done my own thing,” LaValle says. “It kind of just fell together … I really can’t explain it.”

All of Albums Leaf’s tracks were written and recorded entirely by LaValle. His inspiration for the tracks has varied, and they always “just kind of fall together.” On tour, he is accompanied by several fellow musicians that reproduce numerous parts from the albums.

Drew Andrews, of the musicians touring with Album Leaf, says the live show includes a musical entourage of strings, as well as projection art.

“Our live show tries to captivate several senses,” Andrews says. “You should definitely check it out.”

“Album Leaf” is the name of a Chopin piano solo, and LaValle thought it was an appropriate name for his work. But picking the sound isn’t as easy — Album Leaf’s music is difficult to categorize.

LaValle says Album Leaf’s sound is a complex array of compositional atmospherics, and he doesn’t like to give it a ‘genre’ — he just lets the music stand.

When asked about today’s popular music scene, LaValle says he isn’t a big fan.

“In general, I think it’s shit,” he says. “It’s not original and it’s … terrible, I guess. A lot of it isn’t even really music, but there are a few talented artists that have made it in [to the popular music scene].”

After focusing on Album Leaf for a lengthy period of time, LaValle says he hopes to once again join up with a band.

“I like the benefits of being solo, but I actually really miss being in a band,” he says. “I hope to make or join up with one sometime soon, once I get the time.”

LaValle says the life of a touring musician is extraordinarily time-consuming. Between playing shows, driving cross-country and trying to promote Album Leaf, LaValle cherishes the time he has.

“I like pool,” he says. “That’s what I do; I play music and I play pool. Driving isn’t so bad because we have a TV and an Xbox in the van.”

LaValle and his fellow musicians have been spending a lot of driving time lately playing Halo 2.

“Halo 2 is great,” he says. “I just got the Atari Anthology, though, and it sucks. I remember Atari games as being really cool, but compared to our video games nowadays, Atari games just don’t seem that great.”

Video games aside, touring also has its downfalls. It takes quite a bit to keep everyone happy, LaValle says.

“We sleep a lot [in the van] and we try to keep each other entertained,” he says. “We just bought an Etch-A-Sketch and a harmonica at a Cracker Barrel, so I guess we’ll see what happens.”

Who: Album Leaf

Where: M-Shop, Memorial Union

When: 8 p.m. Thursday

Cost: $8 students, $10 public