On the morning of his first NZ band tour, Lontalius (Eddie Johnston) has released a new single ‘Optimistic’. Written in Los Angeles during his two year tenure there and is co produced alongside Grammy Award-winning Om’Mas Keith.
Lontalius reflects on the writing of the song, “Optimistic was one of the first sketches me and om’mas made together. It was initially this droney/ambient thing, never shorter than 6 minutes. just the repeating “i’m ambitious/i’m optimistic’ line. Out the other end it became something much more focused, something I’m really proud of.
The lyrics are centered around a shared anxiety over youth, love and the beginnings of a career. When you put yourself out in the world, you’re desperate for some kind of response.”
The more that I want you, the more that I say
I’m ambitious and I’m optimistic
I’m not pretty and I’m not realistic.
I hide but I’m lurking, I write but I’m searching
Though my voice doesn’t reach you, just know that its working
Coz all that I ask from you
to know I wont speak til I’m spoken to
I rest my hand just above my heart
praying for love to come wake me up
Listen to the full song here: https://lontalius.lnk.
In July, NZ songwriter Lontalius shared two new songs, ‘I Wanted Him’ & ‘ThatIncludes You’ also produced alongside Om’Mas Keith, who has worked with the likes of Erykah Badu, Jay-Z and Frank Ocean.
The tracks were received with open arms and ears with The Spinoff stating “gleamingly-produced songs showcasing Johnston’s distinctive take on indie-pop and his growth from awkward teen into fully-formed adulthood” and Complex.com saying “both of the songs retain and further embellish that tactile emotion that makes it so easy to fall in love with his music”.
Today, the now LA based singer-songwriter begins his NZ Tour with his band, Emily Edrosa (Street Chant) on guitar and Alex Freer (Tiny Ruins) on drums.
Opening act on all shows is the inimitable electronic post-punk-pop up-and-comer, October.
Lontalius – NZ Tour
Radio One 91FM and the 91 Club Present Lontalius
Friday October 5th – New New New Corp – Dunedin – FREE SHOW
Saturday October 6th – Caroline – Wellington
Friday October 12th – Anthology Lounge – Auckland
Tickets from http://lontalius.com
Lontalius says of the announcement, “I’m excited to be playing in NZ again – for a number of reasons. Mostly because I’ve never had a chance to give a real performance as Lontalius. The album release shows back in 2016 felt more like gallery openings – and if anyone saw me previously, we were probably just sitting on the floor of an empty bar stage playing casios.
“This time around I’ll be playing with a new band and plenty of new songs. So much of the music i’ve written over the past few years has lead to me thinking about playing songs on stage. It’s not something I’d thought about before, but the feeling I had in my bedroom of just wanting to put a song on soundcloud is pretty similar to just wanting to get out and perform it.
“Joining me on the tour will be October, who by all accounts should be the only name on anyones lips this year.”
LISTEN:
Spotify – ‘I Wanted Him’ / ‘That Includes You’
Apple Music – ‘I Wanted Him’ / ‘That Includes You’
iTunes – ‘I Wanted Him’ / ‘That Includes You’
YouTube – ‘I Wanted Him’
YouTube – ‘That Includes You’
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