Q1: The Nomadic, your new single “Marie Antoinette” is out today, and it has such a unique blend of melancholy and optimism. Can you share more about the inspiration behind this song?
Thanks for the kind feedback! The idea of the song is of a relationship that is special to both people, both people desperately want it to work, but both people need to go away, spend some time growing, evolving, healing, developing. So it is bittersweet, you want it to work but know it can’t. And in a sense – both your lives fall apart in that moment/ decision. But at the end of the day- as the final lyric of the song (and album!) go- “an overthrow of everything you ever knew. But don’t you know? Crisis can be good for you”. The themes are inspired by personal experience, and just the observations of relationships throughout my life! There’s a sadness and optimism to those observations- ie when one door closes, another opens.
Q2: The track has a strong narrative of love, loss, and growth. You’ve said it’s about being in a relationship where things are almost working, but not quite. How do these themes play into the broader context of your upcoming album New Horizons?
New Horizons explores themes that are common to my life and to those around me who I have observed! “Treading Water” is about the idea of being stuck (not necessarily in a relationship) “All Changed” is about the idea of evolving, growing, accepting the ‘bows and arrows of outrageous fortune’ and keeping one foot in front of the other. There are some songs that explore the idea of new light, new days, new horizons, new revolutions! And there’s a few that are almost a way of finding closure for past relationships (“Hearts and Minds”, “Erasing Mental Photographs”, “Find a Way”, “The Absolution”). “Blood Red Sky” is about the Australian bushfires of 2020.
Q3: “Marie Antoinette” has been compared to the early sounds of Coldplay, Radiohead, and The War On Drugs. Were those artists a conscious influence for the track, or did it come together organically?
Yes, for sure I would be very happy with those comparisons! We always develop a playlist before recording a Nomadic Album, so for sure those kinds of bands are key influences.
Q4: You’ve described the album New Horizons as dealing with major themes like life changes, loss of relationships, and global upheaval. How do those personal and global themes intertwine on this record?
Often the way I write songs is to couch something deeply personal in a global or political theme, and try to make that parallel and search for interesting metaphors in that space. For example “Hearts and Minds” explores that idea of nation building, so evident during my time working with the UN in Afghanistan 2009-11. And of course there’s something personal there about trying to win ‘hearts and minds’ personally, and even making up one’s mind and knowing in your heart what is right for you. “The Absolution” explores when it is ok and forgivable to leave a relationship, couched in the theme of ‘never leave a man/ girl behind’ which was an idea inspired by the capture of Beau Bergdhal by the Taliban in 2009 (and as explored in the Serial Season 2 podcast). “Revolution” is another case in point- it is about personal revolutions and changes, set against some pretty huge global political, social and economic events in the last 5-10 years! “Marie Antoinette” is another example- taking a historical figure, exploring that journey and investigating how the tragedy of human existence (i.e. trials, tribulations, hopes, dreams, challenges) never really changes!
Q5: After relocating to Sydney and collaborating with top-tier Australian talent, how did the studio process with producer Dan Frizza shape the final sound of New Horizons?
It was incredible to work with Dan Frizza, who has worked with some of the best in the business! And Miles Thomas (Drums), Ollie Thorpe (guitar) and Brendan Clark (Bass). It really helped to bring the project to life! We have a very democratic and open process on how to develop and shape the songs. It is often difficult and challenging as a songwriter to be open to having your songs developed and shaped in different directions, but I always have faith that if we all stay open to other ideas and ways of doing things the final product will be the very best it can be!
Q6: On New Horizons, we hear a mix of alt-country, rock, and indie anthems. Was it important for you to experiment with different genres on this album, and what made you choose this diverse sonic palette?
Over the years, I have always enjoyed alt-country, rock, folk and indie. So I guess that tends to be how I write songs- ie depending on what mood or sonic theme the song i am creating has. So it is probably natural that that is how the album took shape from my point of view. In terms of the Nomadic generally- all the band come in with their own ideas and creative influences- hence the diverse sonic palette!
Q7: You’ve mentioned that your time with the UN in Afghanistan greatly influenced some of the tracks on the album. Can you tell us more about how that experience shaped songs like “Hearts And Minds” and “The Absolution”?
As highlighted in Q4, Hearts and Minds explores the theme of winning hearts and minds. It was a very common term in political and military circles from around 2003-2021 (when the US left Afghanistan). I served with the UN in Afghanistan 2009-11, and certainly that effort to win hearts and minds put quite a bit of pressure on myself and people I served with. Hence the lyric “we put our sanity on the line, and that would all be fine, if we could win their hearts and minds.” aside from that wider global/political theme, there is the personal one of working out what you want in life and figuring out what your heart really wants! And that is often an ongoing journey- hence the line “after the passing of this time, do we know our hearts and minds?”
“The Absolution” explores the theme of when it is ok and ‘forgivable’ to leave a relationship. For me, and many of my friends and family I have observed, there is often of course tremendous guilt and shame in leaving a relationship. I wanted to compare and contrast this with the idea of a soldier being captured (Beau Bergdhal) and the military doctrine of “Duswun” or never leave a man behind.
Q8: New Horizons explores feelings of being “stuck” in life, yet the title suggests hope. What’s the significance of this tension between stagnation and the desire for a better future in the album’s storytelling?
I guess having spent my life moving around a lot, I have always been interested and felt personally at various times the themes of feeling stuck, treading water, feeling down, but also feeling hope, optimism and a belief there’s a better future ahead. It is a bit of a daily battle between darkness and light! I guess what is interesting to me is that, with the growth of social media, socio-economic pressures caused by globalisation, and the pressures of COVID living and the threat of climate change, it seems that we are all pretty much in the same boat – struggling through the challenges of our lives, sometimes feeling stuck and low, but overall knowing that if we keep one foot in front of the other and keep showing up, things will be ok! It’s like the chorus of “Don’t Give Up on Your Dreams” – “I’ve got a feeling this will be ok, don’t give up on your dreams today” so those are the sort of themes I wanted to explore on New Horizons.
Q9: You’ve had quite a nomadic life, living in several countries and working with NGOs. How does your personal journey shape the identity of The Nomadic project, both musically and philosophically?
Well I am often asked about the pros and cons of that kind of life. Obviously there is a downside to moving around alot in terms of lack of security and stability. But of course creatively there’s a ton of positives: Learning about different cultures, ways of life, languages. And exposure to different musical styles- from UK Britpop to Americana Alt Rock, Country and Folk. and lyrically yes it gives rise to some interesting themes to explore.
Q10: Finally, the album is due for release on December 14th, and it’s clear that this project has been a long time in the making. What are you most excited for fans to experience when they listen to New Horizons in its entirety?
I hope fans will enjoy the flow of the album! It’s a 14 track album, so quite a bit of music there. And we have thought carefully about the flow of the album, so I think fans will enjoy how it builds up organically and gradually and then oscillates between fast/ up tempo and more meditative/ chill! Stick it on your playlist for your long holiday road trips!