Local Nomad Fuses Genres in New Single "Love is Gone"
Photo courtesy of Local Nomad
Local Nomad, the solo project of Mike Desmond, is poised for great success with the release of “Love is Gone” this past February. Fusing indie-rock masterfully with pop, Desmond plays up themes of loss and freedom in an incredibly personal feat, one inspired by the recent breakup of a long-term relationship. As the first single off of his upcoming EP “GATES”, influence can be felt from the likes of Paul Simon and Gnarls Barkley, a combination of soulful vocals and lyrics that reflect traditional folk.
Desmond is previously known for his time in Gabriel the Marine, a Long Island based indie rock band that began to cultivate an audience in 2009. They toured nationally with Taking Back Sunday, Glassjew, Mew, Jacks Mannequin, and The Dear Hunter.
With an upcoming gig at The Mercury Lounge in New York, NY on March 30th, I was lucky enough to ask Local Nomad about his career; past, present, and future.
FCS: You cite Paul Simon and Gnarls Barkley as influences. What about their style do you take inspiration from, and what do you try to replicate? How do you reinvent their style to appeal to a modern audience?
LN: Paul Simon was always a hero of mine. During the summer of 2018 I got an invite from my friend to see him perform in NYC, but I was at a gig in Connecticut and couldn’t get back in time. At the end of the night I was driving home and saw him post a picture with Paul and I was devastated. “Still Crazy After All These Years” is a huge influence on my narrative style of writing, especially in all of the newer songs. The record has an allstar line up including Steve Gadd, Michael Brecker and Tony Levin. It made me dive deeper into studying jazz and strip away the principles and apply it to my own work. Paul Simon taught me to speak from the heart and jazz taught me that it’s all about negative space and how you can be impactful by making the right choices. I'm all about playing the right 4 notes. As funny as that sounds. I think this sentiment holds true to a lot of music.
When it comes to the Gnarls Barkley vibes, someone I was in session with recently gave me that comparison and it just left an impact on me. I’ve always been into older singers like Al Green and Smokey Robinson. Maybe this is where the soul influence comes through.
Most of the music I like is a little left of center and old school. I think some of my favorite bands in 2020 are Spoon, Phantogram and Lucius. They are all making great rock records that sound like the future. Sonically, they are modernist when it comes to Rock music and I’m here for it.
As far as “reinventing” is concerned - my mission as an artist is to try and spread the gospel. The gospel of good music. To pay tribute to the greats while adding my own spin. I’m not really great at communicating in real life, so songwriting and singing is definitely a great outlet for me. It’s taken me like ten years to realize, but we have no control at all. It’s not up to us. I’m letting go and making the music that I love and hope you love to. This music isn’t mine anymore - it’s yours. So please call it whatever you’d like, I just want you to listen.
FCS: Tell me about the process of writing "Love is Gone" from such a vulnerable position. Did you find it to be easier than other songwriting processes, or more difficult?
LN: Yeah this was not an easy one. It felt so uncomfortable and I didn’t want to sound like an asshole, but I had to be truthful and tell the story that was meant to be told. My girlfriend of 6 years broke up with me over the phone. It definitely sucked. There’s a bunch of feeling that go through your head. Sadness, joy, confusion, embarrassment and then the final stage - letting go. Everyone grieves in different ways. I chose to write a song. My sister helped me through this a great deal. I was on the phone with her saying “ shit, do I just go all in and say how this really feels?” She said “ what are you feeling?” I said to be honest Jen, “I feel so much cooler when I’m not around her.” She says, “why don’t you just say that”..... So I did. My sister Jenna Desmond is one of my best friends and we are always there for one another. Please check out her band “ Babe Club”
My producer & collaborator Nick Zinnanti was also a big advocate in pushing me to get out of my comfort zone lyrically. I was afraid to say “ your parents don’t sleep in the same bed “ But then we were like nah it’s raw - it’s vulnerable - too real not to say. I had a friend that once said to me: “The only time you should be comfortable is when your dead in the ground”..... Harsh, but there’s some truth to that.
FCS: How do you usually approach songwriting? Are you normally the writer behind your tracks?
LN: Most of the time, at least nowadays I try to come up with a title. I used to think that process was straight out of a Berklee songwriting book, but it actually has really helped me.
If you could compare me to one person it would probably be Larry David in the sense that I am always finding myself in uncomfortable situations. I start by thinking of titles from my own personal experiences and then build from there.
FCS: How has your music grown with you throughout your career, especially since your departure from Gabriel the Marine?
LN: I think I am less precious with my songs now. I welcome the unknown, the uncomfortable and just get more vulnerable with it. I’ve also learned to embrace my sense of humor in my writing.
Years ago I would have never written a song called “Snake Child”. I understand now that it’s okay to write funny lyrics, as long as it’s something you can back up. I’ve also learned that my “edge” is being honest in my writing.
FCS: What do you hope your audience will take away from "Love is Gone"?
LN: It’s okay to be vulnerable. Don’t be embarrassed of who you are. Embrace your failure and use it to improve yourself. Go write a hit song (knock on wood)
FCS: What can we expect from you in the near future? New releases? Tour?
LN: You can expect a lot more music this year - it’s a “burn the ships” mentality out of me from here on out. I’m joining Dylan Rockoff and Tim Riehm at Mercury Lounge on 3/30. My team is in discussions for a few different tours so stay tuned and come along for the ride.
“Love is Gone” is available on Spotify and Apple Music.
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