Julian Talamantez Brolaski has a new song “No More Lonesome Heartache” from their forthcoming album It’s Okay Honey, due to be available on August 4. The song will be released on March 3.
It’s Okay Honey was recorded, mixed, and engineered by John Anthony at Gradwell House Studios; and mastered by Tom Volpicelli at The Mastering House. It was co-produced by Julian Talamantez Brolaski and Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner.
“No More Lonesome Heartache” is Julian Talamantez Brolaski on lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner on lap steel; Michael Frank on bass; Boaz Kim on harmonica and harmony vocals; David Laganella on electric guitar; Mark Schreiber on drums; and Andrew Waegel on harmony vocals.
Americana Highways had a chance to sit down with Julian to discuss their music, this song, and more. The premiere appears just beneath the interview.
Americana Highways: What prompted you to write this song? What was the inspiration behind it? What is its message?
Julian Talamantez Brolaski: “No More Lonesome Heartache” is a song about a quarantine romance and the end of a period of loneliness. The line “can the small rain down can rain” references the anonymous medieval love poem “Western Wind”: “Western wind, when wilt thou blow / The small rain down can rain / Christ, that my love were in my arms, / And I in my bed again.” I wrote this about getting back together with an ex-lover during early Covid, when by a curious twist of fate, despite living on opposite sides of the country, we happened to find ourselves stuck in the same town. The drama of lockdown highlighted the need for love and company, but the speaker also wants their solitude, to have their cake and eat it too, hence the lines: “Come over Monday, come over Wednesday, leave me Tuesday all alone.” It’s both a love song, and a lust song. There are also some nonsense elements, the image of the lover rowing through a field of clover: “and dream of my darlin waist-deep in clover / pulling an oar to reach my side.” The song is about enjoying the pleasures of love with another person, but also remembering to take time to love yourself.
AH: How did this song come together when you wrote it? What was the songwriting process like?
JTB: The song began as a melodic hook, something that had been floating around in my head for years. It found an anchor with a modification from the line from the medieval poem, “Western Wind”: “the small rain down can rain,” which I found just so strange and interesting. The rest of the lyrics blossomed out of my experience during lockdown getting together with an ex-lover, someone who I had dated years ago in college.
AH: What kind of a vibe were you going for on this song? How does the final version differ from what you imagined it might be before you went into the studio?
JTB: The vibe is fun and upbeat. I was pleasantly surprised how the solos added a real driving feel to the song, giving it an infectious energy.
AH: What do you hope listeners get from hearing the song?
JTB: I hope it makes them want to dance around. And I hope they feel inspired by the romantic aspect of the song too. t’s also meant to be empowering in the sense of remembering you are individual, and taking time for yourself, to love yourself. The line “I got a lot of myself to love” is a reminder to not forget loving yourself when you’re loving another person.
AH: What made you want to release this song in particular as the first single from the album?
JTB: I love the energy and drive of this song. It’s also really fun to sing and play. And it’s a good representation of the musicians—the solos by guitarist David Laganella, harmonica player Boaz Kim, and lap steel player Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner are all really hot and will make you want to move.
AH: What is coming up next for you?
JTB: Two more singles, coming out on April 14th and May 19th. And the album, It’s Okay Honey, drops on August 4th. I’ll be doing an East Coast tour in August, and a West Coast tour in the fall. My poetry publisher, Wave Books, will also be publishing a songbook of the lyrics to coincide with the album release.
Thanks for chatting with us, Julian. Discover more about Julian Talamantez Brolaski here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/juliantalamantezbrolaski/no-more-lonesome-heartache
Enjoy the easy, quick-witted and quick-paced Western honky tonk style of Julian Talamantez Brolaski.