After years of creative clashes, hiatuses, and reconciliations, longtime collaborators Nathan Ehrenfeld and Mat Baker have finally found common ground and a new outlet. Reuniting as Midnights, the duo channel their late-night reflections and restless energy into their forthcoming debut album 'Everything Will Be Alright'.
Their lead single 'Afterthoughts' sets the tone, delivering a dreamlike journey born on Nathan’s late-night trek from New York’s East Village back to Los Angeles. With Jason sculpting the arrangement and Mat’s evocative melody and lyrics at its core, the track captures the shimmering electronica of M83 and the atmospheric pull of Radiohead, yet stands firmly in Midnights’ own sonic world. It’s at once hypnotic and cautionary, a meditation on how spirals of thought can consume us if we let them.
As 'Everything Will Be Alright' prepares for release later this year, 'Afterthoughts' offers a striking first look at Midnights’ immersive sound. So we caught up with them to talk about their origins and influences over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Nathan: Guitar for sure.
Mat: Guitar, 6th grade. My dad let me ditch school one day so I rode my bike to the music store and behind a big Glassdoor I saw a guy bend the strings and I could hear the pitch change. I was fascinated and wanted one.
Jason: Most likely guitar, as it’s what I started playing when I was 12. To me, it was the sound of all of my favourite songs.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Nathan: I looked back a bit, and it was an odd stew of 20th century classical, old school NYC hip hop, prog, mix of 80’s UK electronic and NYC noise and drone stuff.
Mat: I loved all chess music on AM radio, Always loved the Beatles, in 6th grade I discovered AC/DC OZZY, Dio, Sabbath, I got into punk. Did a tour with a hardcore band “Justice League” and loved the honesty of it. Something the Metal lacked, then Nirvana bleach came out and changed everything - punk meets metal with Beatles melodies.
Jason: I remember vividly my first two favourite songs were “In The Summertime”, by Mungo Jerry and “Kokomo”. These were just played in my house as a kid, but once I started seeking out music for myself, I was really into grunge and alternative rock.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Nathan: I think it was The Who – Who Are You.
Mat: 1st single and vinyl , “Life’s been Good to me so far” Joe Walsh An Amazing song! I love the different sections. The first album was “Earth, Wind and Fire, Greatest hits. I love September. And ELO out of the blue.
Jason: Dookie.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Nathan: Maybe Summertime by George Gershwin.
Mat: That’s tough, maybe Live’s Been Good to me so far . It was so powerful to me as a kid. It had 3 different groove sections, Reggae part, rock guitar riff, MOOG keys break down. Plus it was a self confession of his crazy F’d up life as a rock star.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Nathan: Not really, I usually just pick up an instrument, or sit at the synths, and one little thing out of the ether starts snowballing and you become obsessed.
Mat: No, just play around to see if something comes. Songs often come to me when I’m walking , driving. In that meditative mood and sometimes they just appear, signals from above. Sing it in to the phone.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Nathan: I’ve been cycling through a mix of stuff - Clark’s Last Panthers score, Diamond Thug/Apastron, some Sofi Tukker, Lavinia Meijer/Winter, The Dare, Ethel Cain, Wet Leg, Obongjayar.
Mat: I jump around a lot. Getting out of my Mitski obsession, enjoying the new Wet Leg.
Jason: I’ve been on a Samba kick lately. Nelson Canaquinho, Martinho Da Vila, Alcione, Elza Soares, Beth Carvalho. As far as non-samba: Samia, Indigo De Souza, Slow Pulp, Big Thief, Dirty Projectors, Connie Converse (fascinating artist from the 1950’s/60s. Read a book about her and got super into it), Glom.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Mat: Tom Waits, just so I could see the show after we were done. LOVE TOM.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Nathan: Probably losing yourself in time and space while writing or performing.
Mat: Creating something out of nothing, crafting that catchy melody with a perfect rhythm. And playing LIVE.
Jason: Being present in the act of creation, collaborating and connecting with people, getting lost in the flow state, and feeling like a kid.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Nathan: Large topic.
Mat: Dealing with other Musicians and promoting yourself.
Jason: The balance between perfectionism and vibe. It’s so easy for me to get wrapped up in fixing things, but so often those things don’t matter. But, sometimes they do! It can get maddening.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Nathan: Make your own lanes.
Mat: KISS. Keep it simple stupid.
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Midnights' new single 'Afterthoughts' is out now. Check it out in the player below.