The Mining Co. is the musical project of Ireland born, London based singer/songwriter Michael Gallagher, who is about to release his new single, Mexico Alone, on 9th August. The single is taken from the forthcoming new album Frontier, due for release on 27th September 2019. Frontier follows previous The Mining Co. albums Burning Sun & the Atomic Powers Within (2016) and 2017’s Mountain Fires.
Inspired by classic song-writing of the highest order, Michael cites influence from Dylan, Springsteen and Nick Lowe, and states that he “wanted to write a romantic album, in the songs and the production”. Lead single Mexico Alone certainly fulfils this aim alone, with its lush, wistful string arrangement echoing Love, and Michael’s dynamic, yearning vocal evoking Bill Callahan. Thematic threads that run through Frontier include that of connection vs disconnection, the urgent wish for spiritual peace, and nostalgia for lost youth, these wistful longings are certainly present in Mexico Alone, which was inspired by Michael’s fear of flying and the resulting dislocation he experiences.
The songs for Frontier were written by Michael at home in London, and rehearsed and recorded in Andalucía, Spain in 2018 with his long-term friends and musical collaborators at Paco Loco Studio in El Puerto de Santa María, Spain. Musical turns were from Jesús Cabral Herrera (bass), Karlos Arancegui (drums) and Greg Holme (pedal steel). Muni Camón and Pablo Errea contributed the backing vocals. Strings were added later by violinist and composer Cristina Gestido. Frontier was produced and mixed by Paco Loco, famed producer who is acclaimed for his work with luminaries such as Josh Rouse, Gary Louris (Jayhawks), Josephine Foster and Hinds.