It was definitely a FANtastic Friday as Paul Jason Klein of LA band LANY joined the show all the way from his house in Los Angeles, California! The band released a new album and Paul definitely shared everything we should know with all of the Monsters!
But first, how was Paul doing during this quarantine? "Could be better, could be worse." was Paul's answer in regards to how he has been. But he was definitely more excited and fired up to release an album despite the current circumstances we are all facing.
Rico also noticed a photo of Kurt Cobain on Paul's background during the interview and Paul shared that his background, which is a wall full of photos, is actually his mood wall! He even shared that during this quarantine he just scoured all over the internet and got inspiration for visuals and the whole mood of their new album "mama's boy" even coming down to what their outfits would be when they would start playing live shows again. Paul really enjoys the process of visualizing their music as much as writing music! Such a true artist! We can't wait for the total experience once LANY goes back on tour!
In terms of their 3rd album and new music, how did it come to life? What was the creative process behind it, especially to make one at a time like this? According to Paul, the songs on the new album were written way back 2019, not even knowing what 2020 was going to be like, and he was thankful for not having any sad songs on the album seeing as it was released at a very bleak year and we all don't need anymore sadness! mama's boy is definitely the contrast of their previous album Malibu Nights, stemming from heartbreak, sad, sappy love songs to a now much more upbeat, less-melancholic theme. Paul also emphasized that the crescent moon was indicative from Malibu Nights and wanted mama's boy to be drenched in sunlight, quoting that "the moon doesn't exist without the sun." which Paul incorporated into the lyrics of the track you! Despite not knowing how the year of the album release was gonna be like, the theme of mama's boy does worked out with the current situation and LANY hopes to give out sunlight in the darkest of times thru their 3rd album.
View this post on Instagram
mama's boy was conceptualized in a place where a lot of amazing artists and legends came from, Nashville, Tennessee! Paul shared in January 2019, he wrote the song "paper" which was the first song that started with an acoustic guitar. He mentioned that before "paper" they never really used an acoustic guitar for their songs because of how it was such a basic instrument and it wouldn't really match LANY's vibe. Jake Goss on the other hand, LANY's drummer, has been wanting to work on an acoustic guitar for the longest time. Paul then decided to go to Nashville to write more songs on the album and seeing also how there are a couple of songwriters there that he wanted to collab with. LANY went to Nashville right away after their tour ended last year and wrote 6 songs from the album. Paul also shared that Ian Fitchuk who also worked on the album Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves. is one of the people on Paul's "It List" to work with. Shane McAnally is another person in Nashville that Paul really loved to work with. Shane worked with LANY on "i still talk to jesus" and "when you're drunk"
On Malibu Nights, Paul was very vulnerable and transparent on the songs on the album as it was all coming from an actual experience of his. Paul's challenge on mama's boy is how to be equally vulnerable and transparent. He did this by making himself hyper-aware in every situation, emotion and experience he has. He shared how he came up with "if this is the last time" where he assessed how everyone in his family is healthy but not ignoring the fact that some of his loved ones are getting old, thinking that the next time he might seem them could be the last time. Day 1 of songwriting in Nashville and "if this is the last time" came to life.
Reception-wise, were the band pressured and a bit scared to release mama's boy following Malibu Nights that was so well-received? Well, mama's boy already hit platinum even before the whole album was released so guess worrying is out the window! But prior to that, Paul shared that usually sophomore albums are a flop so it's ironic and a blessing how Malibu Nights received huge reception on it! Paul wasn't as concerned on the reception of mama's boy but more of an inner challenge in terms of having their songs known. There really wasn't any pressure per se, but just goals and challenges set among self and own expectations of one's creative release.
View this post on Instagram
What does LANY want their fans to takeaway from mama's boy? Paul doesn't have an agenda or a point to make with his music, but just for his music to be listened to. He just wants LANY to be enjoyed and be included on someone's life soundtrack. That's how simple Paul wants his music to come across and impact people.
Before saying goodbye, Paul leaves a love advice to people currently experiencing heart break or those just trying to figure out what to do: 99 out of a 100 times, it's not supposed to work and it's supposed to be finding the one that does work. That's the risk you're supposed to take. People sometimes don't think about the risk on what falling in love really is. Give it your best shot, exercise the good part of being a human like being selfless, putting the other person first, patience and communicating and understanding. But if it doesn't work out, it sucks right but 99 out of a 100 times it's not supposed to. So get up and try again.
Watch Paul Klein of LANY's full interview on All Out here: