Lontalius Unveils Side One of New Album 'Someone Will Be There For You'

A new release from Lontalius aka Eddie Johnston is always a beautiful experience, if you can cope with the tears constantly welling up and streaming down your cheeks. The prodigious Aotearoa songwriter doesn't disappoint with today's launch of Side One, the first of two self-produced EPs that'll add up to one full-length collection, named Someone Will Be There For You. Featuring recent singles 'Dialtone (ft. Quiet Luke)', 'Faint' and the album's title track, along with two emotionally earth-shaking new tunes, Johnston opened up about a renewed emphasis on intimacy and fearlessness with the recording of Side One...

"It’s probably the most intimate my music has ever been, with a real focus on acoustic instruments and natural production...‘You Make The Rules’ even features a voice recording of birds outside my window during lockdown.

It’s definitely the lighter, more subdued side of the record, which is why it made sense to release it separately. The songs are inspired by the feelings of being in your early 20s, moving away from home, missing home, experiencing different kinds of love, wondering if you’re on the right path at all…

I’m really happy with how it turned out. There are a few songs on here that aren’t really the kinds of songs I thought I could write. ‘I’m Good’ is a bit more sarcastic and bitter than I’ve ever written before. ‘Someone Will Be There For You’ is probably the most open and confident song I’ve ever written. The process of writing them, mostly in my childhood bedroom after returning from LA, was invigorating and really inspiring. I tried to let go of many things that can cloud music making these days, like spending too much time on production and perfection, to just put pen to paper, emotions into melodies."

Side One of 'Someone Will Be There For You'  is out now via Kartel Music Group. Side Two and the vinyl release of the full record are set for release in the first half of 2021.