Photo by Marina Hunter

Long Island’s Local Nomad – the moniker of singer/songwriter Michael Desmond – has released his new single “Magic,” available to stream now on all DSPs worldwide. The track will be featured on his forthcoming EP Stranger in My Hometown, out on February 22nd. 

“Magic is a song about the difficulties of dating as a musician,” Desmond says on the track. “It’s one of my more honest songs. I was nervous about being so honest when writing the lyrics, but ultimately I think it makes for a better song. I think a lot of artists, musicians can relate to the idea of telling your significant other’s parents that you’re in the arts. I’ve been making music for so long that I hate explaining to people what I do. I wanted to write a melancholy disco song about dating in 2021 as a musician.”

After years of successful touring in the Warped scene, Mike Desmond returned in 2020 as Local Nomad – a blue-eyed soul-dipped crooner, whose narrative lyrics combine with inviting elements of the future.

What do you want your music to communicate?

I love making music. I used to be more selfish about writing songs and then over the course of a decade, I realized the purpose of music is to connect with others. Many of the songs I write are narrative based and tell stories of my life or things that I’ve been through. I want my music to make people laugh, cry and every emotion in between.  Once I finish a song it’s no longer mine.So,  I think I’d like to leave it up to the listener to decide how it moves him or her. 

Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?

One of my favorite artists is Beck. He is like a chameleon and explores many different sounds and genres, while simultaneously paying tribute and honoring the great artist he mimics. Everytime I listen to him I hear influences from some of my favorite artists like Tears for Fears, Nick Drake, Prince, Big star and many others. 

What’s the record or artist that made you realize you wanted to be an artist?

I think the first artist that made me realize I wanted to be an artist was probably Sum41. I downloaded  all their songs on limewire  one summer in 3rd grade, and remember thinking ” This band is incredible”. They were so fun and cool and all the songs still hold up to this day.

Tell us about “Magic” and what role it plays on your upcoming EP.

I was listening to alot of new wave disco at the time and thought it would be cool to have one upbeat disco track on the EP. Bands like Mr. twin sister and poolside definitely inspired this song. Magic is about the uncertainty of romance and how it relates to being a musician in 2021. I think the juxtaposition of realistic honest lyrics and the upbeat disco 70’s strings make for an interesting combo. It’s kinda like a John Prine lyrical approach  meets Gotye indie pop. 

Where are some of your goals with Local Nomad?

My goals are to tour my butt off, entertain people, get a dog and make a living writing songs for myself and other artists. I love making music and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. 

Favorite lyric you ever wrote?

I think my favorite lyric I’ve ever written is from my song summertime.

“We were so naive we thought that we were gonna be the ones 

that would change the world, but now it seems the older we become 

we still don’t know where we’re going and we don’t know 

who we are 

Like our degrees in Libral arts, we were doomed right from the start.”

I think this whole lyric packs a punch with so many millenials who went to college and ended up not even using their degree. I love playing this song live and talking to people about the song.

Was there ever a moment when you felt like giving up?

I feel like it’s pretty normal to feel like giving up. I feel as though you can’t make great music if you are too comfortable. I have definitely had my fair share of moments when I felt like handing in the towel. Before the pandemic I was gigiging so much, that I didn’t realize how burnt out I truly was until I had a moment to sit still. In some strange way,I think the pandemic saved my life and made me reassess my focus and priorities. 

I think one thing that stops me from giving up is gratitude. I am Grateful for my family. I am thankful for who I am and for what I have created. Life is crazy and we can’t control things or people around us, So it is important to remember that making music is both a privilege and Gift. 

What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten? 

“If you’re not having fun, then what is the point”

Where do you think the next game changer will be in the music industry?

I think the next major change in the music industry will be a simulated world like the new Meta-verse. I think eventually all artists will have to create avatars, engage fans and put on shows in this other simulated world. It is already starting to happen. It kinda freaks me out a bit, because it will be another thing all artists will have to do, but I guess you have to change with the times. Technology is moving so fast and we’re all just trying to keep up. I’m just gonna keep writing songs and do my best to keep up.