- PREMIERE: ZOO – “Own True Love” - October 7, 2021
- PREMIERE: Get nostalgic with ÖZLEM’s 1976-inspired ballad, “Electric Ladyland” - May 20, 2021
- PREMIERE: Personal Space – “Dad USA” - March 11, 2021
After cutting their teeth gigging in the various scenes in the greater New Jersey area, alt-folk band Lowlight have been readying the release of their debut LP, Where Do We Go From Here. The album, teased by singles like “Why Wander and “Bones,” catches the band encapsulating feelings and desires that are very much in flux.
Today, Groundsounds is happy to premiere Lowlight’s Where Do We Go From Here in full along with an interview with the band. Stream below, order your copy here and catch Lowlight’s record release show at the Asbury Park Yacht Club on August 27th.
Hi, Lowlight! Congrats on Where Do We Go From Here. Could you go into some detail on what some of the larger themes are?
Hello there, thanks! We’re psyched for people to hear it!
Travel and movement are by far the overarching themes of the record. Renee Maskin, who writes most of the lyrics, is known to be a bit antsy and restless, and therefore tends to delve into those kinds of topics. But with any luck, the listener will get the impression that there is movement in a psychological sense as well. Letting go of pasts, barreling into, if not embracing new presents and futures. That sorta thing.
How did you arrive at your sound and who are your chief influences?
When we started Lowlight, most of us were in or had just gotten out of much more aggressive sounding bands. I think we were seeking something more simple and heartfelt, something where feeling trumps power. When discussing it, artists like The Band and Bob Dylan were brought up as examples of what we wanted Lowlight to sound like.
Since then, our keyboardist, Dana Sellers, has gotten really interested in lush, textural synth and keyboard sounds. This has steered us into some different directions, sometimes bringing us into a David Bowie-influenced pop world, and sometimes an epic, cinematic world.
There’s also the addition of Rey on bass. He comes from a funk, hip hop background. He’s brought a grooviness with him that has really made an impact on our sound. We hope that the combination of all these things creates something unique to Lowlight.
Your origins go back to a project called Seapost. What ultimately led to the formation of Lowlight? What are the artistic ties that bind?
Yes, the seeds of Lowlight were sprouted during a recording session for a Seapost record. The record was produced and engineered by Derril Sellers at his house where he lived with his wife Dana. During these sessions Renee, Dana, and Derril began discussing starting a new band. Colin had also been over the house to do percussion overdubs for the Seapost record. It all fell together nicely. I guess the ties that bind would be Renee’s songwriting and the overall folk/country kind of vibe.
A lot of the songs on Where Do We Go From Here seem to deal with the highs and lows of life. Is there one track in particular that most resonates with your current state?
“Bones” might be the best example. That song might also be the closest thing to a love song that we’ll ever do. It’s kind of about taking it all in, the good and the bad of life, our own flaws and limitations, and knowing that at least we’re not alone in the universe. Love and friendship go a long way, whether things are looking up, or not so much. You might be walking along “like a ghost among the bones”, which is kinda morbid, but at least you have company. We’re all on a sinking ship, and we’re on it together.
You just got off of an extensive tour including a slot opening for Lucius. How as it? Do you feel closer as a band? Any new song inspirations generated?
We had shows scattered throughout Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. We opened for Lucius at an incredible barn-turned-venue in Maquoketa, Iowa called Codfish Hollow. Watching Lucius and talking to them after the show was not only just an all around great experience, but an educational one too. They’re at a level of success with their music that we are striving towards, so it was really interesting and helpful to get a chance to hang out, ask a few questions, and just shoot the shit with a band that we are truly fans of. And man, they are so good live too! We had so much fun at that show, a memorable experience to say the least.
I think it’s impossible not to feel closer as a band when you tour with them. You’re living with these people, you see things that you don’t normally get to see. For example, I had no idea that Rey’s obsession with lemonade was so deep! He needs a lemonade sponsorship of some kind. All of our experiences and memories from this tour will take some time to be refined into songs. We played an impromptu set at a laundromat that will probably show up somewhere. But I certainly feel like our current songs were brought to a new level by playing them every night. Parts get quiet now where they hadn’t before and things are added/taken away. The microscope and tweezers were taken out and now these songs are more dynamic than ever.
You’re based out of New Jersey and active in the different local scenes. Any new bands/venues/purveyors of the arts you could turn us onto?
A couple things come to mind here. First, I’d like to mention the Old Franklin Schoolhouse in Metuchen. It’s is literally an old schoolhouse but in the last 5 or 10 years it has turned into a building used for a variety of events and shows. Renee and Colin are from Metuchen, so there’s an added element of the hometown crowd coming to check out the hometown band, but there’s more to it than that. The crowds they get over there are music fans. They are very attentive, with you through every step of the song. It’s a change of pace from loud bars where people are talking during your set, and for us, this difference is palpable. Go check out a show at Old Franklin Schoolhouse!
As far as artists, Joe Galuppo comes to mind. He’s a singer/songwriter that we’ve befriended through playing lots of shows with. I always really enjoy watching Joe play. He’s a really unusual guitar player. He leaves a lot of musical space, which is rare for a singer/songwriter, while also still finding ways to sling around his guitar skills, which are impressive. His voice is personal and vulnerable, he’s like a more skilled version of Daniel Johnston. He also played harmonica for two tracks on our record. Check him out!
Any touring possible for later in 2016 or plans to get back into the studio?
We’ll be playing a lot of shows in the NJ, NY, PA area, possibly somewhat beyond, but no more extensive touring for 2016. We’re already planning several tours for next year though, so we’re looking ahead. We’ve learned so much being on the road, including that being out in the heart of August is pretty damn rough. Sweat Fest to say the least. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way when to play.
In the immediate future, we have several videos in the works. We are champing at the bit to start writing again too, so in addition to our busy show schedule, that will be a priority. We’re work horses, we’ve always got something on deck. We don’t care if we’re not necessarily perceived as the coolest band on the scene, we want to be known as the hardest working.
How can our readers purchase Where Do We Go From Here? Any record release show plans?
The record will be available to purchase digitally on iTunes, Amazon, and other popular music download sites. We are having our record release show at Asbury Park Yacht Club on August 27th. Nobody parties like Asbury Park, it’s going to be a good time!
