Tempo Talks: A Conversation with The Lonely Together
THE RELEASE
The Lonely Together, a compelling worldwide dream rock band from Edinburgh, Scotland, was established on the moving songwriting of Mike Baillie. Setting a high bar as an independent group, they have performed in some of the best studios in Scotland and America, sharing stages with well-known artists like Luke Sital-Singh, Augustana, and Snow Patrol. 14 brilliant tunes on their debut album, "Everything Viewed Backwards Through The Rearviewmirror," garnered radio exposure and the endorsement of Steve Lamacq of BBC 6Music. They are now eagerly anticipating the release of their sophomore album, "Endless Sunset Oblivion," which is expected to contain Baillie's best work to date. It was recorded at Post Electric Studios with Rod Jones and will also feature Jonny Scott and The Cairn String Quartet.
The third song from The Lonely Together's eagerly awaited album, "Endless Sunset Oblivion," is titled "Los Angeles." This new song shows a different aspect of the band, departing from the energizing vitality of their major singles. The song, which was produced by the well-known Rod Jones of Idlewild, has the hypnotic combination of romanticism and profound melancholy of a scrapbook ballad. They set out on an intimate journey into the vastness of Los Angeles as the opening notes of the perfectly captured acoustic guitar engulf the listener. With his distinctive emotional candor, Mike Baillie serves as our guide as he takes us through crowded streets, dark dive bars, and sun-drenched canyons. The chorus of "Los Angeles" soars with exquisite lyrics, honoring genuine friendship and the City of Angels. For Baillie, "Los Angeles" has a special meaning since it honors his beloved sister, who liked the song before losing her battle with cancer. The Lonely Together's artistic talent is on full display in this moving release, which also serves as a prelude to "Endless Sunset Oblivion," which will enthrall listeners on Friday, August 4, in both print and digital versions. Fans can also encounter the album's profound narrative and themes live when Mike Baillie performs a one-man show, "Endless Sunset Oblivion: A Story On The State Of The World," at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.
THE INTERVIEW
What song or moment in time sparked your passion for music?
I should probably think about this and come up with something ‘cool’… but the answer is: Dancing (either clothed or completely naked) around the living room table to ‘Satellite’ by The Hooters, at the age of 5. That’s where it all began.
‘Smoke On The Water’ was also a favourite! haha
If you had to create a Mount Rushmore of inspiration, what four individuals molded the artist you are today?
Great question! I like that, a lot… I’d have to say the following:
Eddie Vedder – depth, integrity and character
James Iha – fragility, warmth and sentiment
Neil Young – variety, innovation and heart
Adam Schlesinger – melody, melody, melody
How does your creative process work from the moment you develop the idea to the completion of the record?
I sit and play guitar, usually for an extended period of time, getting chord progressions together and pushing them, more and more towards a song structure.
I will often get that down first, tracking up a blank canvas demo framework that I can start building up, into an idea.
Once I have the song outlined, I will start playing around with melody ideas (usually just wailing complete nonsense over the top of the track, repeatedly…), until a theme or set of lines appears that enable me to start shooting in a firm direction with it…
From there, I follow and offer up whatever it is that the song demands from you.
Of course, there are exceptions to these steps… and they are certainly not rules! If rules were put in place, I wouldn’t make music.
Ideas can come from anywhere though – I love that. Sometimes an idea will just hit me and it will start a journey of finding the parts and putting them together. When it all works - especially if people then like it – it’s the best feeling in the world.
As for this release, who is the producer and what about the production moved you?
Rod Jones from (the tremendous) Idlewild is the producer on this record and it was wonderful to work with him on it.
Rod and I have been friends for a long time now, so he had a very keen insight and idea of what I was trying to achieve with this album, which made the process a great deal easier than it could have been. Mostly just him and I in the room, as the world was slowly creeping out of lockdown, everything became simplified and straightforward – “Let’s try this, ok that’s great” or “Let’s try this, nah that’s not it” – quick decisions a lot of the time, no hanging around. It was a wonderful way to make an album and we had a lot of laughs, in the process.
Working on the title track, ‘Endless Sunset Oblivion’ was emotional for me… and bringing in the Cairn String Quartet to record their parts on it turned those emotions up to 11… Also, working on a new song called ‘All Nerves (In The Presence Of Hope)’ certainly moved me.
When it comes to the songwriting on this record, what is the message you want to get across to your listeners?
Don’t waste a moment of your life…
This is an album packed with heart (and good, old existential dread, don’t get me wrong haha…) but it also features a few significant regrets. The ultimate aim is to reduce those to a bare minimum… but I have been quite open about a few of mine, here.
Life is extremely precious. So, get out there and love it. Love your family. Love your friends. Love the chance that you might meet the perfect person, just by stepping outside your front door.
KEEP UP WITH THE LONELY TOGETHER BELOW:
