TheLongoodBye remains one of the most intriguing and elusive figures in contemporary music. Described as having his head in the clouds and his heart deep in the sea, he embodies a mix of romanticism and cynicism that keeps fans and critics in suspense.
From the beginning, TheLongoodBye has charted a path defined by independence and introspection. His debut EP, “Tomorrow Never Came,” released in 2021, was a testament to his multi-faceted talent. Each track on the EP was produced and performed exclusively by him, demonstrating his ability to combine various elements into a cohesive sound. In particular, songs like "Love Was Over" and "Once the Moon" caught the attention of Rolling Stone Magazine, earning a place in its editorial selection.
Despite his growing popularity, TheLongoodBye remains an enigmatic figure. He performs primarily in Europe, with a particular affinity for Paris, although he is happiest composing at home, sitting at the piano. This duality of public artist and private creator adds to the mystique that surrounds him.
In an exclusive interview, TheLongoodBye takes us behind the creation of his latest single, “Next Level Romance,” and shares his reflections on art and life.
The song arises from a moment of emotional need during an ill-fated vacation. TheLongoodBye wrote the song as an improvised anthem to keep spirits high during a difficult period with her partner. This mix of fantasy and reality gave rise to a joyful and playful anthem that celebrates love in all its forms.
What is music for you?
Music for me is a sequence of notes being played one after another. It's the best!
How and when did you start doing music?
I started pretty young, I played saxophone, but I was not that good. At some point, my parents renovated the house so they moved the piano from the living room to my room (against my will!). The vicinity of the piano made me touch it more and more often, gradually getting better and getting more emotionally involved. There is nothing like being close to things to make you fall in love with them!
If you had to describe it, what would you say your artistic career has been like so far?
Hell if I really know, I've been writing songs, I am still writing them. The writing is getting wider and narrower at the same time. I'm writing more and more in what seems to be my size, but as the gaze shifts from the big outside to the smaller inside I find I have more to discover in me than I thought. There are more twists and turns in the corridors of my mind than there are in my neighborhood.
What inspired you to create the song "Next Level Romance"?
A good mix of being excited about the tune and fantasizing about how I'll record it and the actual pressure of having a very short time to get it done at the studio. So, actually, there was no time for fantasies, I needed to get into business mode. It's hard to do, but it's good for you (like eating veggies!)
Can you tell us about the creative process behind writing and composing the song?
For the first time ever, I kind of wrote a song to cheer me up and not for the sake of writing a good song. I was on a crummy vacation in a crummy apartment in the crummy part of town. It was hot and there was no AC. Luckily, there was a piano there. It wasn't a good piano, but it was enough to get me going somewhere. It was a weird time romantically with my girlfriend and the vacation was not going as planned, so I sort of wrote us a theme song to keep our morale high, to remember what it's all about.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take away from the song?
I want them to have fun and feel so sexy they would have to stop everything they're doing and run and kiss their special someone. Even at the risk of losing their job after having run out of a meeting at work just in the middle of giving a presentation (one could assume the song was playing during the presentation, and while this was a bad business decision it was a great romantic one).
Could you share any anecdotes or memorable moments from the recording or production of "Next Level Romance"?
Everything was fun about recording it, it was alarming. Usually, this is not the case. It was like a sugar rush. It was me at my poppiest which didn't feel comfortable. Intellectually, I wanted to make it heavier, but my shaking booty suggested otherwise. It was fun and energetic, so I committed to this fully. My booty is now the captain of the ship and the one in charge of the decision-making, where my head used to be
Your music is described as a mix of intellect and emotion. What’s your opinion about it?
I tend to agree, but it's changing, I think. It's your intellect that dresses you up and gets you to the office. The one who is taking care of all the stocks and bonds and wants to assume control, but at the end of the day I sing and play, and it's as emotional as it gets.
Your debut EP, “Tomorrow Never Came,” received critical acclaim. How does "Next Level Romance" fit into the progression of your musical career?
Did it? Nobody told me that!
I think "Next Level Romance" is in fact the next level for me. It's getting out of and getting rid of who I thought I was and walking towards new horizons. But at the end of the day, it's all me, and you can't escape your voice and your face and your inclination to eat sweets when you should be sleeping.
You go long distances to discover you are where you started, but that's good news as long as you're feeling better about it. Artistically and in other ways too.
You mentioned feeling guided by the spirit of Randy Newman while writing the song. How did his influence shape "Next Level Romance"?
I mean, he's funny as heck but also gets me to tear up. It was not something I had decided intentionally to be guided by him, but as the song was being written, and I thought it was nice and funny, it made me think of him and then realize that perhaps he was there all along
The lyrics of "Next Level Romance" convey a blend of humor and heartfelt emotion. Can you elaborate on the themes explored in the song?
If you think that there's humor, and it's heartfelt, then I hit the jackpot.
Relationships can become so boring and mundane, even if your partner is a raging outlaw bank robber. The fact that dishes are a topic and that they would consider cooling it with the robbing just to be a better person for you because they love you is both beautiful and stupidly sad. They become boring, and so are you. You fell in love with the bank robber, not the dishwasher. Then again, clean your plates once you're done with them! The house is a mess!
It's quite a paradox, you see. This song suggests a solution to these paradoxes and mundane realities helps you remember the bank robbers that you once were, and helps you get crazy together, but also kindly requests to keep the house clean.
What's next for TheLongoodBye after the release of "Next Level Romance"?
I'm happy to say another single is around the corner and after it an EP. After that, who knows! But probably more songs and EPs.
TheLongoodBye continues its journey of self-discovery and artistic expression, taking listeners on a journey of emotion and reflection.
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