Toronto-based Life in Polaroid has released its sophomore single “Lo Down with You”, an infectious tune that blends modern pop sensibilities with a nostalgic 80s retro vibe. The track, which features vocalist Nick Moore, transports the listener to an era of neon lights and retro chic and offers a fresh sound that’s impossible to resist.
The single is accompanied by a retro low-fi music video that perfectly compliments the song’s timeless allure.
Congratulations on the release of “Lo Down With You”. What inspired you to write this song and how did it take life once you decided to record it?
“Lo Down With You” is about a period I went through where I was feeling a little disillusioned with relationships. I had just gone through a breakup and was feeling like maybe love wasn’t in the cards for me. I was caught in a cycle of going out a lot, looking for someone – or something – to make me feel better but I felt like I just kept making bad decisions and waking up feeling disappointed in myself. Then suddenly, out of the blue, I met someone who turned my world upside down (in the best possible way). I was utterly attracted to her and we were inseparable from the second we said “hello”.
It started with a riff that had been knocking around in my head for a bit. I was initially going to expand on it but thought it would be an interesting challenge to try to write a song with just two chords. I feel like 2-chord tunes can have a cool, hypnotic feel to them but you really need to create interesting, varied melodies to keep a listener’s attention. I put together a basic beat and ad-libbed the “hello, hello, hello, hello” line into the mic. After tweaking them to sound vaguely robotic, I had a template for a kind of retro 80s vibe going on. Nick Moore came by to do some vocals and we mostly finished it off the same day.
Tell us about the video for the track.
We decided to embrace the retro 80s vibe for this one. We went thrift store shopping for some vintage neon gear and ran around Toronto one night with a Hi8 camera. As we were shooting the video, it occurred to me that the song is also a kind of love letter to the city of Toronto. It has so much to offer – we’re pretty lucky to live in such an amazing place.
Life In Polaroid is a relatively new project for you. How did it come about? Was there a reason it came to life when it did?
I feel like I have come full circle. I played, toured, and wrote songs in my 20s, and took some time off to start a career and a family, but found myself really missing writing songs. Last year, I decided I was going to get back into it again. One thing led to another, and I started collaborating with some local musicians, set up a small studio in my house, and found a producer who understood what I was going for. It’s been creatively super rewarding and exciting to be putting out music again.
The industry has changed drastically since you started as a songwriter and touring musician. What are your biggest challenges now versus the past as an artist trying to share your music with the masses?
Yes, the landscape has changed – and continues to change – quickly and dramatically. I suppose the biggest challenge is to find a way to be heard among the tens of thousands of new songs that are released every day. That said, the fact that I can record in my house and get my music out to the world with the push of a button is just incredible.
What can we expect from Life in Polaroid in the future?
Lots more! I’m excited to continue putting out songs and hopefully grow as a songwriter and musician along the way.
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