Our Song of the Day is The Waves are High, taken from the brand new, double A-side single (The Waves are High/Rareearaa) from Hampshire, UK based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and reclusive genius Mike Gale. It also features on Mike’s new album, Summer Deluxe, due in May 2019. Whilst laid-back and subdued, conjuring the lazy days of summer, The Waves Are High is beautifully catchy – it’s all quite subtly brilliant. Check the accompanying video by Jussi Virkkumaa.
In his previous musical incarnations, Mike found widespread acclaim for his previous band Co-Pilgrim, and before them Black Nielsen, and Summer Deluxe sees Mike’s return with his fifth solo album in five years, the follow up to 2017’s critically acclaimed Beachhead Galaxy. Having had an idyllic childhood in North Devon, and Rareearaa being an expression of joy made up by one of Mike’s childhood friends, the tracks are infused with a nostalgic yearning for long summers surfing on Saunton Sands beach.
Having taken a sabbatical from Co-Pilgrim, Mike has continued to further focus on his solo work and produced a collection of sun-kissed pop songs with off-kilter melodies and wonky lo-fi soundscapes in the shape of Summer Deluxe. Adding in samples of strings, pianos and organs to drum machines, guitars and harmonies to produce a hazy, summery feel that begins in the Spring and flows through to Autumn. The record, whilst unique in its overall composition and production, would suit the record collections of fans of Guided By Voices, Sparklehorse and The Go Betweens.
When asked about working alone and the process of home recording, Mike says “I really enjoy recording by myself, getting the time and space to mess around with my ideas and make mistakes that you sometimes don’t get when recording with other people. I record on a Tascam DP-32. I don’t like using computers to record, I prefer the hands-on approach of having a mixing desk with knobs etc.” Summer Deluxe certainly has a relaxed, accomplished air about it. Clearly, the work of someone with twenty plus years of experience writing and recording, and at the height of his creative powers. On the thematic concept of making a summer record, Mike says “I’m a huge Beach Boys fan so I kinda always wanted to make some sort of Summer themed album. The very loose narrative running through the album is Spring through to Autumn, with the 3 instrumentals representing Spring, mid-Summer and Autumn”.
Summer Deluxe was written, performed, produced and mixed by Mike Gale, and refined for release by the mastering wizardry of the one and only Tony Poole.
Having received support from many luminaries across the music biz, including Lauren Laverne, who featured previous Mike Gale solo tracks as her Headphone Moments, and a plethora of rave reviews across the board, Gale continues to endure as one of the UK’s most original, and now most hermetic musical talents.