What was the main inspiration behind this album, and how did it evolve throughout the writing and recording process?
The inspiration behind New Horizons is exploring the tension between general life themes such as getting stuck/ treading water, being forced into the process of change and evolution by personal, societal, and global / political events, and coming out the other side a different person! It was inspired by a combination of the things I was going through personally and professionally, as well as the observations of those around me. Lyrically and melodically, i had a good idea how I wanted the album to sound- inspired by many of the bands I grew up with and love- Oasis, Radiohead, The Verve, U2, Coldplay, the War on Drugs, The National, Phosphorescent, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen.
Are there any particular themes or concepts that run throughout the album? How did you want listeners to connect with these themes?
There is a general theme of feeling stuck, status quo, treading water, trapped in darkness, and a daily fight for the opposite- freedom, autonomy, land, and light! So many of the songs will oscillate between those themes – from treading water, to All Changed, First Light, New Horizons. There is also a theme of comparing and contrasting global political issues/ figures with personal struggles and challenges- Hearts and Minds and the Absolution are about my time in Afghanistan, Marie Antoinette is about the growth and evolution people have to go through that sometimes make the timing of a relationship slightly off!
Can you share a bit about the creative process for this album? Were there any new techniques or approaches you experimented with?
It was amazing to work with Dan Frizza, Miles Thomas, Ollie Thorpe and Brendan Clark! We developed a playlist for the album and discussed sonically which direction we wanted to take on each song. Sometimes it led to some Bruce Springsteen inspired influences (Don’t Give up on your dreams, Revolution, The Absolution) Daniel Lanois was a big influence (Luminescent View) Coldplay (Marie Antoinette) and then some songs took interesting turns- ie the Bloc Party esque Hearts and Minds”
Which track on the album are you most excited for fans to hear, and why?
I’m very proud of “Marie Antoinette” which closes out the album (song 14) and probably features the most important lyric for me of the album “an overthrow, of everything you ever knew.. Don’t you know, crisis can be good for you?”. The Title track “New Horizons” is also a favourite, it expresses the sentiment that we never quite know what is around the corner “common, smile.. It’s the first day of summer.. Youve got New Horizons”. There is also a 4 min ‘outro’ in the style of Eric Clapton “Layla” so I think that’s what I’m most excited for fans to hear!
How does this album differ from your previous work, both in terms of sound and personal expression?
Compared to “My Mind is Racing” (2022) there is definitely an evolution towards a more americana rock/ alt rock sound, in the style of The War of Drugs, Phosphorescent or The National. My Mind is Racing has tracks such as Drifting, Waiting, Beyond Blue, Skaterpark that definitely have a strong indie pop influence, with some Americana rock/ alt rock/ country rock suggestions as to the evolution that was coming! Songs like Jeannie, My Mind is Racing, Under a Georgia Sky, Walk the Streets.
Were there any particular challenges or breakthroughs during the recording process that had a significant impact on the final product?
There weren’t really any significant challenges. Maybe one was the fact that I had already written the songs and some of them i had had for a while! So I consciously had to go in with an open mind and be flexible and open to different ideas on arrangements and styles. But working with such an amazing team, that wasn’t particularly hard for me to do! And in the end I think it led to the best possible product at the end. In terms of breakthroughs, it was probably thinking through some of the influences / styles/ themes each song could take- The War on Drugs, Lord Huron (All Changed), Powderfinger (First Light), Bruce Springsteen (Don’t Give Up on Your Dreams, The Absolution, Revolution); Paul Kelly (Blood Red Sky); Coldplay (Find a Way, Marie Antoinette); Daniel Lanois (Luminescent View, Find a Way)
How did your experiences or changes in your personal life influence the music or lyrics on this album?
It was a tumultuous time that definitely created some interesting conditions for songwriting! I spend 2 years working with the UN in Afghanistan, which put a ton of pressure on my personal life and led to a difficult break up. My time in New York (2012 onwards) was fantastic creatively, at the same time there was a feeling of feeling stuck in my personal and professional life, knowing there was a dream (music) that I wanted to and needed to chase! AT the same time, there were and are huge global events at play- Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel/ Palestine, the Global Financial Crisis, Climate Change, massive political changes and upheavals in the US. So there was this general theme of revolution in the air, personally, professionally, nationally and globally! And really this daily battle / struggle between feeling stuck, treading water, status quo, slow death in the absence of dreams; vs a feeling of change, evolution, growth, innovation, chasing dreams and moving towards something more hopeful and positive!
Did you collaborate with any other artists or producers on this album? If so, how did their input shape the final sound?
Yes it was amazing to work with the best of Aussie rock talent, with Miles Thomas (Lior, Ronan Keating, Montaigne) on drums, Oliver Thorpe (The Whitlams, Matt Corby, Meg Mac) on guitar, and Brendan Clark (Meg Mac, Montaigne, Jack River) on bass. Dan Frizza as producer has worked with Tones and I, King Princess, and Gurrumul, and is a genius on production! The album was mastered by Greg Calbi of Sterling Sound in New Jersey.
What do you hope listeners take away from this album, both emotionally and intellectually?
Live your best life. Keep fighting for your dreams, try to enjoy the process of growth and evolution, change is inevitable, don’t fight it. Surround yourself with people who support you, and know that whatever you are going through- there is nothing new under the sun! And sometimes in our darkest moments- there is light and New Horizons just around the corner!
Are there any upcoming live performances or tours that will feature material from this album? How are you preparing for these shows?
Yes we will be rolling out live shows in 2025! Follow us on Spotify, YouTube and Instagram!
The Nomadic is:
Rob Gaylard/Singer songwriter
Dan Frizza/ producer/ keyboards
Miles Thomas/ Drums
Oli Thorpe/ lead guitar
Brendan Clark/ Bass
