Interview: Toronto Alternative Artist Peter Landi Captures Fading Memories and Forward Motion on “Turn Back Now”

Alternative rock singer-songwriter Peter Landi unveils his latest single, “Turn Back Now”—a driving, atmospheric track that blends nostalgic storytelling with compelling simplicity. Built around just three repeating chords, the song manages to evolve dynamically, keeping listeners engaged through subtle shifts in rhythm and phrasing.

“Turn Back Now” was a labour of persistence in the studio. Co-producer Tyler Semrick-Palmateer and Landi wrestled with two key elements: the snare drum and the vocals. Taking inspiration from Steve Ferrone’s work on Tom Petty’s Wildflowers, they opted for an unusually high snare tuning that initially felt out of place but ultimately sat perfectly within the mix. Meanwhile, despite re-recording vocals on a high-end microphone, nothing matched the raw emotion of Landi’s original demo take—so they kept it, preserving the authenticity that makes the song shine.

1. What did you enjoy most about the recording process of this new release?
Drums are usually the first thing to be recorded but for “Turn Back Now,” they were recorded last. All of the guitars and vocals were recorded to a beat that I had built during the writing process, so when it came time to lay down a final drum take, being able to play along to and off of the other instruments was really fun. I didn’t have to imagine what the song was going to sound like, it felt more natural.

2. Share a nugget of advice that has resonated with you most over the years.
Always be prepared going into a recording session, time is money.

3. Who would be your dream artist/band to co-headline a tour with?
Oasis. 

4. What sets your music apart from others in your genre?
Ever since I started making music, I’ve been told I have a very distinct sound. So much of my inspiration comes from the 90s and you can hear all those influences come out in the writing. On all of my recordings, 98% of the time I am the one playing all the instruments and, being a drummer first, that affects how the songs come together. When I play and write for the guitar it’s in a very percussive way. The live show is another aspect. I’m singing and leading the band from behind the drums. That has been done before, but you don’t see it too often.

5. Tell us what your favorite song is at the moment and why.
“She Cleans Up” by Father John Misty has been a favorite one lately. It’s got a killer groove and I love the song’s production. It’s great!

Sometimes, as a songwriter, if you’re tapped in at the right moment, you get lucky and a song comes to you fully formed. You’re not exactly sure what it’s about or where it came from, but over time it starts to make sense and reveal its meaning. “Turn Back Now” is one of those songs for me. – Peter Landi

With influences ranging from Tom Petty and Oasis to Queens of the Stone Age, Landi crafts songs that feel both timeless and fresh. “Turn Back Now” continues his streak of hook-laden, melody-driven releases, further establishing his unique voice in the alternative rock scene.