Warmth, sophistication, equilibrium and sonic delight – this is how the new album from UK-based artist Mike Gale can be described. No newcomer to the music scene, ‘Thanks for Always Waving’ is actually Gale’s 20th album in 20 years. Initially writing and performing under the Co-Pilgrim and Black Nielson monikers, this is the twelfth album released under his own name.
Alternatively described as positively-vibed folk-inspired indie pop, this songbook of 11 tracks offers a rich and thoughtful collection of folk-inspired indie pop with a feel that harkens back to lighter times with fewer politics, more reflection and more living in the moment. Think Paul Simon meets Sparklehorse and Sufjan Stevens. If you can’t listen to the whole album, make sure to feast your ears on ‘Bees Knees’, ‘They’re Closing The Marina’, ‘Summer Be Gone’, ‘Grumble Pie’, ‘I Enjoy My Existence’, and ‘Old Man In The Universe’.
“‘Thanks for Always Waving’ is my 20th album. I wanted to go back to basics a bit with this one – simple pop songs with a stripped down gentle feel. I was very inspired by one of my favourite bands’ (Tall Dwarfs) use of homemade percussion for rhythm, and the idea that you don’t need a traditional drum sound to make a song groove. Lyrically, the album is mostly about trying to keep a positive outlook and being generally grateful for what you have despite the world seeming like a terrible place most of the time,” says Mike Gale.
“The title of the album comes from my love of a YouTube channel called ‘Solo Travel Japan’, which is basically a guy taking overnight ferry trips to the many Japanese islands. One of the things he says as he leaves port is “Thanks for Always Waving” and it stuck.”
Mastered by Todd Tobias (Guided By Voices, Circus Devils), this album was produced, recorded and mixed by Gale as his home studio. In the lead up to the album’s release, he released the singles ‘Grumble Pie’ and ‘Summer Be Gone’, along with a calming video featuring the artist Kimvi, which was filmed in Suzhou, China by Matt Wallwork,
A multi-instrumentalist, Gale has been singing for as long as he can remember. But it wasn’t until he was around 20 that he formally began playing the guitar and writing his own music, citing The Lemonheads as a big influence in those early years. Born in Southampton, Mike Gale spent a good chunk of his childhood in North Devon and then Oxford, New York and Melbourne before returning home to settle on his beloved south coast of England.
With Gale taking melodic and percussive cues from influences such as Tall Dwarfs, Pavement and The Clean, ‘Thanks for Always Waving’ is ultimately one of his most pop-oriented albums to date, filled with mellow bongo beats and gentle washes of wavey organs.
‘Thanks For Always Waving’ is out Friday – get it from all the usual platforms – it will be onSpotify, Apple Music andBandcamp, where it can already be pre-ordered.
CREDITS
Written and performed by Mike Gale
Produced, recorded and mixed by Mike Gale
Mastered by Todd Tobias (Guided By Voices, Circus Devils)
Album cover photo by Romeo
Album design by Andy Reaney
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
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