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Having paused the band after 2013’s Antiphon, when Midlake reconvened for 2022’s For The Sake Of Bethel Woods, frontman Eric Pulido spoke openly about how the hiatus ultimately meant the band “came back together refreshed and inspired.”
Several years later, the momentum and sense of reinvigoration that powered Bethel Woods has not dissipated; Eric believes that it helped power the band through the making of its successor, A Bridge To Far.
“We enjoyed reconnecting with each other and fans alike on tour and it helped encourage us to follow up with another album,” he confirms, adding, “I sometimes feel continuing to make music is partly a means to an end in getting to see the world and connect with folks. We wouldn’t make an album for that reason alone but it is an added bonus for sure.”
A Bridge To Far – released last November – is Midlake’s second studio album since their hiatus (their third if you include Live At The Roundhouse). A supremely confident and accomplished release that consolidates their return, it finds the band members in very different places – personally and geographically – from their first run. In many ways, this is a very different Midlake to the one which recorded the lauded The Trials Of Van The Occupanther and 2010’s UK Top 20-busting The Courage of Others. And although situations and the business of making music have changed significantly over the years, band members – Eric Pulido, Eric Nichelson, McKenzie Smith, Jesse Chandler, Joey McClellan and Scott Lee – have found a way to keep things working
“You’re not wrong in that we’re in a different place of life these days,” laughs Eric. “It’s not sexy, and it does kind of give you a glimpse behind the curtain, but the reality of it all is, as one bum once put it, ‘it ain’t like it used to be’; and that’s oversimplifying it.
“I won’t bore you with the details, but both collectively and individually this industry can be a difficult dance to make sense out of for us. We’re all so grateful for the opportunities we’ve been given and have always appreciated the support, for without it we wouldn’t have accomplished much if anything notable. With time, the need or even the want, can evolve and give pause for how and if we continue to carry on. Again, although it’s different now, we’re still here and I’m thankful for that.”
A Bridge To Far is an album imbued with hope. “Hope is a need,” Eric stresses. “I try to look at what is good, run towards it and embrace.”
It’s an idea that’s writ large in the drifting song that gives the album its title.
“A Bridge To Far is about hope. Whatever the circumstance, there’s a place, not made of stone, where one can go. The sentiment surrounding the song is to provide that belief and ultimate vessel to go there. ‘Go bravely arm in arm and climb upon…’
“I realise that not all circumstances are the same, and I by no means want to minimise the relative weight, but to be encouraged that there’s always a path for goodness is paramount.”
Though they sound fresh and consistent, the ten tracks that eventually made the album originated over a lengthy period.
“Make Haste was probably around the longest – 15+ years,” says Eric. “Sometimes songs linger and find their way to the surface. I give it to the guys for that, as I usually have lots of ideas that cry for help in order to see the light of day. We had around 20 ideas on this album, some more fully formed than others, some newer or older. Ultimately, the ten that made it on the record felt right and complete as an album. I know not everyone listens in that way, but I love to experience albums from beginning to end.”
When it came to making the album, Midlake set out to make a record that was “less about referencing someone else’s sound and more about sounding like us.” It’s a unique sound that comes to the musicians instinctively, without the need for reminders or recaps.
“It’s not a contrived nor concerted effort,” says Eric. “That’s what was so great about making this record, and much of how we create these days; we just play. I think after all these years and the level of trust we have for one another, it makes it easy and just a joy to get together and make music.”
After self-producing four studio albums, For The Sake Of Bethel Woods saw Midlake hire the services of John Congleton (St Vincent, Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen), while A Bridge To Far features producer/ musician Sam Evian (whose credits include work with Big Thief, Cass McCombs and Hannah Cohen).
Of their decision to continue to call in outside assistance, Eric says: “I often joke and say ‘someone has to be the asshole in the room’.
“Neither John nor Sam are such,” he adds, quickly, “but they did provide an unbiased subjective voice to the equation that allowed us to defer and focus on making music. It’s been quite freeing to allow someone in to your world and play their own role in the mix. I’ll never go back.”
On Sam’s contributions, Eric says: “He brought ideas, he brought guidance, he brought encouragement. There’s an inherent vulnerability that can come with recording and to trust a new individual to take part in the process can be tricky. With Sam it gelled so well together and didn’t take long until we settled in and had a great vibe and rhythm.”
Among the producer’s suggestions were to bring in Hannah Cohen and Meg Lui.
“Sam had asked if we’d like Hannah and Meg to try some background vocals where it seemed appropriate when he returned to Woodstock to mix. We were overly into this and felt it could add a layer that we hadn’t really had before. The outcome of which we felt so moved by, and loved the lush element.”
Another notable guest is Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Madison Cunningham, with whom McKenzie and Jesse have previously recorded with. Her input adds a palatable weight and contrast to the track Guardians.
“Madison’s contributions were a bit spontaneous yet organic.
“The lyrics were a bit of a mouthful for me when recording, and it was suggested I record the verses separately, in an almost call-and-response manner. I thought that was a great idea as the song reads as an inner dialogue or mantra form. Upon recording that and it overlaying nicely, someone suggested it would be nice to alternate with a female voice. Next suggestion was that it should be Madison Cunningham. The rest…
“It was truly a happy surprise,” Eric continues. “I try not to be too precious about what something has to be before going into record. Maybe it’s my own defence mechanism, but I think being open to everyone’s influence makes the place we land better than I can imagine. If I hold too tightly on to what I may think is right, it doesn’t allow for the cool things that could arise. I also want everyone to feel like this music is ours, not just mine.”
With A Bridge To Far, the Texan combo have produced some of their most assured and consistent work, uplifting, hypnotic, beautifully textured, personal and universal. It’s a body Eric is clearly (and rightly) proud of, that both consolidates and extends Midlake.
“The Calling brought us to some new places we’d not been before, and that’s always fun,” he says, discussing some of his favourite tracks. “Jesse and Sam’s sax sections gave me all the right feels and somehow still fit right in our world of music making. The Valley of Roseless Thorns was also a highlight for me. The only strong opinion I had with track order was that be the last song on the album. I felt with both sentiment and sound it put a nice bow on ‘er.”
In the wake of some of the best reviews of their decade-spanning career (read KLOF Mag’s here), Midlake bring A Bridge To Far to the UK from 31 January to 7 February 2026. Among the stop-offs are the Moseley Folk and Arts Festival All-Dayer on 1 February in Birmingham. A precursor to the summer’s main festival, the day sees Midlake joined by Jane Weaver, The Leisure Society, The Brethren (with Midlake guitarist/vocalist Joey McClellan) and Hand In Hive signees, Ollie Cook and The Hogwash.
“We love Moseley Folk Festival, and are thankful we’ve had the opportunity to play in several iterations,” Eric enthuses, having previously played the main event in 2022, when he memorably got the opportunity to meet his hero, Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull – a perhaps surprising influence on the band (“It was cool to meet and tell him in person,” Eric says).
So, what’s next after the UK and EU dates?
“That’s a good question!” Eric states. “A wise man once said, and an unwise one wrote a song about it, arguably the three greatest words … I don’t know.”
For those in the UK, Midlake are playing the Moseley Folk and Arts Festival All-Dayer on Sunday, 1 February 2026, in Birmingham.
Details: moseleyfolk.co.uk/whats-on/
For full tour dates, see: midlakeband.com