INTERVIEW: RUBBISH PARTY - FLAT BY THE LAKE

Recorded in Alfred Lavender's DIY home studio in Warwickshire, the song is a reflection of late nights, first flats, and the sort of nostalgia that hangs around long after the moment's gone.

In preparation for their debut tour and the upcoming release of new EP Love and Decay, we spoke with the band about hiraeth, disorderly live performances, cross-cultural tension, and the protracted, costly myth of the bedroom pop fantasy.

  1. Hello, Rubbish party! Could you walk us through the creative process for this song?
    J. Edwin Galloway with Rubbish Party here, As a band we've recorded dozens of tracks since 2022. Something changed this year where it felt like we had to get our stuff out there or die in obscurity. We started by releasing our roughest tracks on Culinary Vendetta. We weren't expecting such a dramatic response to the material. We garnered 10k streams in our first week. However, the tracks were so rough and full of cursing we couldn't get anyone serious to put their support behind them. We then made a conscious effort to polish a handful of songs ( now part of our ep Love and Decay) to perfection, and we enlisted the help of renowned DJ Crimson Creep to do it. His keen ear for production was vital in creating the dare I say "poppy" vibe to all our new tracks including "Flat by the Lake."

2. Flat By The Lake feels like a memory suspended in sound- what was the first image or moment that sparked the creation of this track?
I stood on the Atlantic coast watching the waves crash against the rocks and it all sort of hit me. A nostalgic tear came to my eye. I just wanted to bottle that up and something in that memory told me: 1980s Manchester. I ran to my band mates and we went right into the studio with that in mind. We used Evans lyrics he has written about his first flat because it fit the nostalgic theme

3. How does the songwriting dynamic work between you all - do lyrics lead the way, or does the music pull them out?
We all write some of the songs. But primarily Evan sends in the lyrics from America and the rest of the band draws sort of a composite sketch around those lyrics. The music is then relentlessly perfected in a process much akin to pulling teeth.

4. How are you hoping that the audience is going to perceive this song?
I strongly believe that art is subjective and I sincerely hope that everyone interprets the song in their own special way. Obviously this song is about nostalgia for a first flat. I think everyone has a time and place like that which they can drift back to in their minds as they listen.

5. Recording in Alfred’s home studio must create a special atmosphere - how did that intimacy shape the final sound of the track?
Being sequestered in Alfred's secluded home offers the perfect forum for the sort of screaming required to record a work of art. There's always disagreements somewhere. For instance our drummer George is a metal head. Every now and then we catch him trying to sneak double bass into a track and we toss him out of the studio. Edwin seems to only play punk music. On the bass he prefers to pluck at one string. We take the piss out of him for that. It's all proper fun most of the time but there comes a moment where everyone has to buckle down. We're grateful to have these experiences away from the public eye. Though our process probably frightened Crimson Creep during the first session. Alfred's place is very cozy. We can have tea in between recording sessions even play a little skyrim to clear our heads. This safe environment contributes greatly to the cohesion of the final product.

6. How does each of your musical personalities show up in the final arrangement of the song?
It doesn't actually and that's what's beautiful about it. We've killed our egos through extensive psychedelic treatment. Being former art majors, we were constantly around stuffy people that believed the road to a song was paved with excessive complexity. Many of us were in bands before rubbish party. All those bands fell apart because of the insistence that music had to go in a particular direction. That sort of ego driven thinking is unproductive. At the end of the day writing a hook is simple. We're not trading stock options here. Just play what sounds good and you're there. You have a song.

7. What’s one moment during the recording of this track that none of you will forget?
From the first second of the track to about 2:26, we spend the entire time building to a sort of crescendo. George taps the drums three times, the bass line slides in seamlessly, then we add the keyboard elements. Then we deconstruct the entire thing. That's where the magic was. We get to 2:26 and it's just bass and kick drum with Clutterbucks vocals. Then at 2:41 that guitar kicks back in faintly. That's where we all stopped and looked at one another. Fairly simple stuff if I recall Fmajor to G major something like that. But the beauty of that is mental. Building up that track just to break it down and rebuild it. That was where we knew we had something and yes we all cried just a little.

8. Do you see the song as a catharsis? Or more of a tribute to a past that shaped you, mess and all?
I draw a key distinction between Rockstars and musicians and I strongly feel that everyone in Rubbish Party is a Rockstar. What does that mean? In simple terms we're not role models we're dynamic human beings with messy lived experiences. We don't have our sobriety and we're proud of that. We were recently kicked out of an interview in France for being too extra. There's no guarantee that we show up anywhere in a functional state. Rubbish Party is a mess and that's why the art is good. A lot of the pop stars in our age are products of nepotism. "Daddy works for Sony so i can make music now." We're broke, we're raw, and we're unfiltered. This song is a representation of that. We want to bring Rock back to it's working class roots. It's felt corporate since the death of Cobain.

9. If each of you had to describe Flat By The Lake as a physical object, what would it be?
It's a canoe.

10. “Love and Decay” is such an evocative title - how do you personally interpret that phrase?
There's love which I think one can feel when they listen to the opening track "Hear ye." It's a desperate plea. "Hear me, revere me." Followed by the decay of this love in a way that is initially shocking. "Why do you fear me?" We all ask as we all belt into the microphone at once. The second track "shimmy and shake" is when a lover cheats. By "flat by the lake" the relationship is totally over and we're looking back at the best parts of said relationship. And so this 19 minute project is meant to tell the story if a relationship from it's initial love to it's final decay. Hence why I feel it is the perfect title for this project.

LITM Pop picks tunes for you to have a great jam session featuring Me & Melancholy, Lex Bucha, Estani and More!,

LITM Pop picks some great tunes brought to you by  Me & Melancholy, Lex Bucha, Estani, Ian Ward and Midnight Repost!

  1. Me & Melancholy - Open Your Eyes

Me & Melancholy's Open Your Eyes is a pure work of art of synth-pop excursions with dark atmospheric leanings. Stockholm-based Peter Ehrling's project blends the retro grandeur of '80s titans Depeche Mode and New Order with the rock/alternative sensibilities of the present day. The album immerses listeners in richly textured atmospheres, driven by unstoppable rhythms, melancholy vocals, and cosmopolitan synth embellishments. The opening track sets the listener up with its golden, warm synths and hook, declaring the title that is emotionally charged as well as musically memorable. Open Your Eyes is a sound design and narrative achievement of emotion, a manifestation of Ehrling's vision.

2. Lex Bucha - High Altitude (Radio Edit)
Lex Bucha's High Altitude (Radio Edit) is an electro-pop pearl that weighs introspective longing against a dreamy, ethereal quality.
Bucha, a singer-songwriter, is widely recognized for his warm songwriting and highly self-reflective lyrics. The musician wrote a song that discusses the needle pricks of high ambitions and self-realization. The song begins with dreamy synths that instantly put listeners in a serene but reflective state of mind. Then there are the smooth voices to the forefront, chanting eulogy lines, which resonate within each individual who has battles with the ire of needing to fit space within the world. The builds and falls within the song, cut short by breathtaking builds and suffocating releases, are reminiscences of the peaks and troughs of betterment of oneself. The production is refined and engrossing, and as such, both comforting and introspective to listen to. High Altitude is proof of Bucha's capacity to instill deep feelings while sustaining a broad appeal.

3. Estani - Mi Suerte Ha Cambiado
Estani’s latest single, Mi Suerte Ha Cambiado, is a vibrant and heartfelt revival of a Conjunto classic.With Grammy-winning Max Baca and Los Texmaniacs, the track skillfully juxtaposes ancient Latin tones with modern-day polish. The tapestry of rich instrumentation on the track, ranging from rhythmic guitars to spirited accordion and suave harmonies, yields a catchiness that is simply irresistible. The voice of Estani is the fulcrum of this track, bringing warmth, emotion, and a certain charm that is impossible to resist. The lyrics, delivered in Spanish, flow seamlessly with the music, painting a vivid picture of transformation and hope. The production strikes a perfect balance between nostalgia and modernity, making the song a standout in Estani’s discography. It’s more than just a track—it’s an experience that bridges generations and invites everyone to celebrate the enduring beauty of Conjunto music. Mi Suerte Ha Cambiado is testament to the originality of Estani as an artist and to her skills at making her mark.

4. Ian Ward - One Shot
Ian Ward's One Shot is an assortment of tunes that catch hold of your heart and won't let go.
With his raspy vocals, lush storytelling, and an impossible blend of pop, rock, and singer-songwriter charm, Ward makes his way through love, desire, and bold choices.
The heart's core is the lead single "One Shot," whose catchy guitar riff and don't-miss-while-it-is-here lyrics cannot be ignored. Ward takes the limelight in the center of the stage as he bellows out an anthemic-intimate chorus. The vibe of the track becomes bittersweet when it conveys that feeling of wishing something were greater than friendship. One Shot is an emotional ride that's just as easy to listen to as it is sound-blowing.

5. Midnight Repost - Find A New Song
Midnight Repost's Find A New Song is a deeply emotional study of yearning and rebirth, presented in a flawlessly performed indie anthem.
The song's lyrics translate to wanting to escape the ceaseless circle of action and discover something new, represented by searching for a new song to attach oneself to. The song itself reflects this nicely, blending dark undertones with hope and optimism. With its gentle instrumental subtleties and strong vocal work, the album captures the sense of introspection that is so moving to listeners. The pervasive theme of discovering happiness and significance in something as mundane as a new melody is universal and deep. It's a song that provokes thought because it makes listeners feel inspired and reassured. Midnight Repost is an appropriate title for the timeless search for purpose and passion in Find A New Song, hence a song remembered long after listening.

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M. Spano - Long Time Comin’

With the first strum, M. Spano's Long Time Comin' draws you into a world of nostalgia, love, and long-awaited realization. With warm guitar melodies and heartbeat drumbeats, the song is like golden-hour light streaming through car windows—hopeful, exciting, and deeply personal. Spano's voice is silk-smooth, with quiet confidence, as though someone finally embracing the love they've always dreamed of.

The chorus erupts with sizzling guitars and heart-thumping rhythm, and the lyrics express the sense of hesitant uncertainty giving way to certainty. And just as you'd think things can't get any more thrilling, Spano breaks into a soaring guitar solo that transports the song to anthemic heights.

By the end, Long Time Comin' leaves you breathless, wrapped up in the glow of a long-awaited romance. Spano blends nostalgia and new energy with ease, and you can be certain he's resurrecting early 2000s love.

2. Camryn Quinlan – ex box

Camryn Quinlan’s ex box transforms a simple breakup relic into a powerful pop anthem. With sleek electronic beats and warm organic instrumentation, the song feels cinematic, like a late-night reflection with old love letters scattered across the bed. Quinlan’s honey-smooth vocals make the heartbreak feel deeply personal yet universally relatable.

Directed by Baldvin Hlynsson, ex box was penned as a freshman by Quinlan, who drew inspiration from the nostalgic pieces of a former love. Years later, the song now bears the burden of time, resonating with the bitter sweet pain of release. "Keeping those physical memories almost kept the person in my life," she says—a feeling that rings true for anyone who's ever clung to an ex box of their own.

With inspirations such as Taylor Swift and Kacey Musgraves, Quinlan writes a song that's painfully authentic but irresistibly catchy. It's the ideal soundtrack for that final trip down memory lane.

3. Vanderwolf – A Time To Die

Vanderwolf's A Time To Die is a hazy, ethereal song that converts existential questions into musical verse. Spurred on by an unsettled plane ride to Amsterdam, the tune glides across sparkling tones, soft brass, and an unnerving melody incorporating pop, R&B, and psychedelic rock.

Lyrically, Vanderwolf conveys the fear of death, as he sings, "Can it make much sense / Tossed in turbulence / With the ones you love so far behind?" His ethereal vocals float on top of a dreamy soundscape, presenting introspection as well as refuge. The production, courtesy of Chris Cordoba and Sam Sallon, imbues the tune with depth and texture, rendering the song to feel like an instant frozen in time.

With a career that has run the gamut from New York to London to L.A., Vanderwolf still stretches musical boundaries. A Time To Die is a hypnotic, introspective track-one that plays over and over again in your head long after the last note sounds.

4. Milk Buttons – Love and War

Milk Buttons' Love and War is stunningly complex mixing of jazz, indie, Americana, and psychedelic rock. It begins with a hypnotic contrast—spattered drums and peaceful, Eastern-inflected piano melodies—before slowly building in layers of harmonies, strings, and textural instrumentation to create a lush sound world.

In spite of the complexity, each piece of music has a place, interweaving effortlessly into the canvas of the song. There's no jockeying for room; rather, the music ebbs and grows, sounding closer to a precision-crafted composition than a live jam session.

With influences ranging from new wave to alt-folk, Love and War is impossible to categorize but flourishes in its individuality. Milk Buttons creates a track that doesn't beg for attention but repays those who listen intently. A hypnotic, immersive experience, this is music that refuses to be pigeonholed—giving something new with each repeat listen.

5. Sehore – Safari

Spanish alternative rock project Sehore makes a strong statement with Safari, an experimental song that marries outside composition with socially profound commentary. Constructed on the seldom-employed whole-tone scale, the song is atmospherically eerie and otherworldly yet somehow still radio-friendly.

Lyrically, Safari addresses aporophobia—the aversion or fear of poverty—challenging listeners to consider societal prejudices. As part of Sehore's debut album Ladencia, the song emphasizes their trademark blend of kitschy visuals and raw, natural textures. Recorded at Paco Loco Studio and mastered by Mario G. Alberni, Safari features a precise production that balances complexity with emotional impact.

Sehore's distinctive musicianship isn't going unnoticed—the project received a Silver Medal at the Global Music Awards for Pesadilla, showing their forward-thinking sound is getting picked up. With Safari, Sehore keeps pushing what alternative rock sounds like, creating music that's both cerebral and sonically bold.

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  1. Pilots - Leave Someone
    "Pilots' ' Leave Someone' is a five-minute alt-rock behemoth that fuses Brit-rock throwback and contemporary heft. From the introduction sequence, the song holds the listener in a firm, vice-like grip through a dense, propulsive bassline that resonates tantalizingly with gorgeous, melodic guitar playing. Drawing influences from Muse, Biffy Clyro, and even the anthemic energy of Oasis, Pilots create something at once recognisable and energising.".

    The manner in which the chorus builds and explodes is near cinematic- as though the helicopter is lifting off into the sky- providing chills. It's one of those songs that you want to turn up loud and envelop yourself with waves of emotion and adrenaline. With "Leave Someone," Pilots show that they're so much more than just another alt-rock outfit; they're a mission-band, a band with a cause that is just beginning to leave their mark.

2. The Sundials - Finally Free
"The Sundials' 'Finally Free' is a triumphant return for the Adelaide band, a soulful, cathartic anthem born from personal as well as professional struggles. Blending old-school rock swagger with sunshine harmonies redolent of '70s folk-rock, the track recalls a fusion of Sam & Dave's gospel fervor and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's poignantly bittersweet words.".

Frontman Dieter Horvat leads the way with a reading of raw, emotional vocals, and saxman Daisy Davidson injecting shots of heat into the fray. Toby Johnson's drumwork and Paddy Maddern's bass drive the song to its galvanizing climax, a chorus of emancipation and new birth. "Finally Free" is no simply a breakup song, but an anthem—a band exorcism of tragedy and a bold move into what is next.

3. Lemon - Gimme Something True
Lemon's "Gimme Something True," featuring Cath Coffey, is a ballad that gently tests the limits of exposure in indie rock. Its delicate, piano-and-guitar construction is warm, settled, like a gentle pleading for truth from a relationship.

The language- delivered with a poise of restraint and desire—is underscored with the worth of emotional exposure. The song's melody builds steadily, like the spread arms of two hands in peaceful comfort. At the final build of the chorus, the song achieves a point of resolution, wrapping the listener in a coating of comforting consideration. "Gimme Something True" isn't just a song; it's a comfort invitation to drop your guard and seek sincerity.

4. Under Starling - Birdwatching
"Birdwatching" by Under Starling is a beautiful mix of alt-rock and folktronica with richly embedded Irish southeast seaboard scenery. The track narrates two lovers luxuriating in their final moments together before they must be parted—echoed in the short flight of birds on a puff of wind.

The track blooms from a whispered, indie-guitar introduction to a sweeping, cinematic peak that so aptly catches the vastness of the Irish sky and the poignant pang of departure. Molly Robb's softly rendered vocals glide beautifully along with the lead, creating an unearthly texture that gives depth to the song's emotional impact. "birdwatching" is a poignant journey through love, nature, and the irreversible passage of time—a tune that lingers in the mind long after the last note falls.

5. SANSOM - Burn The Bridges
SANSOM's "Burn the Bridges" is a firecracker of a rock anthem loaded with raw energy and emotive dynamite. The CD was recorded at Brighton Electric Studios, and the song has the unrelenting energy of Queens of the Stone Age and Foo Fighters, combined with heavy riffs and anthemic melodic hooks.

From the very first pounding drumbeat, the song keeps the listener in a state of tension that will not let go. The soaring vocals ride atop a sea of massive instrumentation, and there is a dynamic struggle between control and chaos. The standout lyric—"Burn the bridges to light the way"—isn't just a hook; it's a mantra for anyone who desires to leave the past behind and forge a new path forward.

The recording is unpolished but polished, with a spotless balance of melody and rage. "Burn the Bridges" is a mission statement, a threat that SANSOM is a rock band ready to shake the very foundations of the genre. With this being the inaugural of four releases in the pipeline, it's clear they're only getting started—and they're bringing fire with them.

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