'City Lights' is the romantic new single from Edinburgh, Scotland dream rockers The Lonely Together. This new re-recording of songwriter Mike Baillie's tender ode to love features a lush string arrangement, courtesy of The Cairn String Quartet, plus drums from Scott Kelman of Aberdeen band The Little Kicks. Produced by Rod Jones (Idlewild/Hamish Hawk/Katie Gregson-MacLeod) and Baillie himself, 'City Lights' provides the perfect bridge between debut LP 'Everything Viewed Backwards Through The Rearviewmirror' to forthcoming opus, 'Endless Sunset Oblivion'. It is fair to say that The Lonely Together's star is on the rise.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello The Lonely Together. What strengths do you have that you believe make you a great musician?
Hello! I think honesty is my biggest strength, whether that is lyrically, inviting engagement/reaction from listeners or being honest with myself, recognising my owns strengths/shortcomings in writing and/or recording and playing to them. Being aware of your own capabilities is always a good place to start… but sometimes you can really surprise yourself and exceed expectations. I try to do this a lot more often now.
Who inspired you to make music?
I grew up listening to music, all through my childhood. My Father was always playing music which led to me doing the same, as I was discovering a whole other world in his extensive record collection. Everything from The Beatles to Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young to Pearl Jam, Disco to Soul, Country to Blues and so many more… captured my imagination and sparked my curiosity in instruments and sounds. There was no going back.
Your latest track is 'City Lights'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
‘City Lights’ was actually written a long time ago… at a time when I was first experiencing the ups and downs of being in a long-distance relationship. While the song is actually not centred so much around THAT specific relationship, it deals with a lot of things that were happening all around me, out in the world, at university.
Sometimes it can feel like the world is moving very fast around you… ‘City Lights’ is about feeling truly alone in a moment, trying to slow it down. It is definitely a song about reassurance, working both ways and about love in the truest sense.
After having produced a version for the ‘Everything Viewed Backwards…’ record, I never felt that version (also old, done years ago) was right for release as a single but always felt the song deserved it. So, in the new album sessions for forthcoming LP, ‘Endless Sunset Oblivion’, I wanted to finally try and do the original, simple song idea justice – the masterstroke being the inclusion of the Cairn String Quartet, whose contribution is just wonderful. I was finally able to make the ‘City Lights’ that I always dreamed of.
What is your creative process like?
My songwriting process is always a private affair. I like to build ideas alone and get song ideas into good shape, before sharing them/taking the working process to the next stage. From there, I am ever-increasingly open to collaboration - ideas/sounds/development/experimentation, having always preferred working in proper studios, as opposed to self/home-recorded releases. That said, I am working on building a new creative space of my own, with a view to inviting people in, so who knows what the future will hold. The ultimate goal is to stay prolific while never compromising on quality.
What is the most surprising fact you’ve learnt about yourself?
I have learned an awful lot about myself in the last three years – mainly that I’m tougher than I ever believed and that sometimes I know what I’m doing… haha
The most surprising might be the levels to which I can meet my imagination in creativity, though… ‘Endless Sunset Oblivion’ is a giant leap forward in terms of this and the whole process has only served to make me ridiculously excited for the future.
Do you think that education is important?
Education is always important, across all subjects and in all situations. An informed decision or educated guess is always more powerful than ignorance, be it in music, politics, arts or anything life throws at you. It doesn’t mean a shot in the dark isn’t fun from time to time… but in this internet day and age, we are all duty bound to dig for truth and stay responsible. Responsibility, in that sense, can be sexy.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Keep going.
In the face of ever-increasing prices/costs, something is bound to give… I truly believe that there is going to be a huge shift within the music industry, for example – biting back against Ticketmaster pricing and the top portion of artists getting all the spoils through major label market shares. It’s not cheap being a fan these days – I know… because I am, and always will be one… but there is a shift coming.
I can’t thank supporters of my little band/ideas enough. I am planning to reward the patience and loyalty you have shown me in 2023.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
It has made music more accessible, there is no denying that... but it has also made us lose sight of the value of it. I, for one am certainly hoping for a re-focus in this sense – away from greed, retaining convenience, restoring value.
What do you think is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen or experienced?
I saw two friends meeting each-other on the street in New York City yesterday. In a pure moment, I saw their mix of excitement, relief and just pure joy. That is what it is all about. Ask me any other day and I’d say a sunrise/an act of kindness/something wonderful in nature… but today, that is my answer. We need… THAT.
What are your plans for the future?
Being with my family. Working on improving across all areas. Writing new songs. Recording new songs. Releasing new songs. TOURING. Living and enjoying every minute of this life. MB