Despite two decades since their last recording, The Connells never quit performing, and Mike Connell never stopped writing songs. ‘Steadman’s Wake’ features eight new songs and three re-recorded versions of previously-released demos which originally appeared on 2001’s ‘Old-School Dropouts’ CD.

The new album ‘Steadman’s Wake’ features the two newest members, guitarist Mike Ayers and drummer Rob Ladd. ‘Steadman’s Wake’ releases September 24, 2021 via Black Park/Missing Piece Records.

I’m very excited to hear your upcoming album, ‘Steadman’s Wake’. It’s your first new album in 20 years. What have you been up to?

Doug MacMillan: Basically, work, children, not touring – But playing gigs here & there.

‘Really Great’ is your first single off the new album. What inspired the song?

‘Really Great’ is a song that Mike Connell has had sitting around for years. An earlier version had a far more caustic, satirical lyric, which is an aspect of Mike’s songs that I love, but I do like the sentiment he landed on, in the end.

Can you share some further details on how your latest album was recorded? Who produced it? What was the recording experience like?

We recorded roughly half of the basic tracks with Mitch Easter at (his) Fidelitorium Recordings studio (3+ years ago?) in Kernersville, and the rest produced and mixed by John Plymale at Overdub Lane in Durham, in 2-3 day sessions. Not like the old days where we’d go to a studio for a month or so, hopefully record everything, and in some cases mix.

Would you say it’s a concept album about the times we are experiencing?

Well, any common thread or theme running through these songs (and on prior records), seems to reveal itself towards the end of the process. I can see how some of the songs can evoke some of the mood of the past couple of years.

You also surprised fans by releasing your 1986 debut album ‘Darker Days’ on streaming platforms for the very first time. What do you recall from working on your debut?

Oh boy… no matter how surprised our fans were, no one was more surprised than me. Let’s just say that it’s a solid document of a singer not having found his voice – or developed his “sealegs” yet.
Fortunately, the songs are good, and my bandmates had their end handled.

And how would you compare it to, let say, ‘Ring’ from 1993? How was working on that particular album?

Like night and day. We seemed to know what we were doing by then (keys, arrangements). We had been a touring band for several years when we recorded ‘Ring’, and had logged enough time in studios up til that point to feel comfortable. Definitely not the case with ‘Darker Days’.

‘Steadman’s Wake’ was originally set for release in 2020 but was held up due to the pandemic. How are you coping with the current pandemic and what are your predictions for the future? Do you think the music industry will adapt to it?

‘Steadman’s Wake’ had been mixed and mastered right around the time that everyone started heading indoors. So, yeah we’ve been sitting on it for a while. That time did allow for us to sort out the things that can delay a release – artwork, photos, et cetera. I’m in no position to make any predictions in regards to the future.

“We just adapted”

Did your approach to music-making change? What’s the typical creative process for you these days?

We just adapted. If we got together to rehearse for and/or play a streaming gig, et cetera, we kept our distance, wore masks – although no mask when singing. Creative process usually involves sitting down with a guitar, or another instrument, and trying to land on something that’s worth a hoot.

How about influences? What were you listening back to at the beginning?

British Invasion, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Teardrop Explodes, The Left Banke, Bob Dylan…

As a huge fan of psych rock, tell me about the inspiration behind your first song, ‘Psychedelic Butterfly’?

I thought that was the name of Mike’s very early first band? Maybe first band and song? Either way, I’m sure Jimi Hendrix, Beatles, et cetera inspired the ‘Psychedelic Butterfly’, more so than say, the song ‘Elusive Butterfly’.

Your finest moment in music?

The emergence of the ‘Psychedelic Butterfly’ is clearly the finest moment in all music.

Let’s end this interview with some of your favourite albums. Have you found something new lately you would like to recommend to our readers?

Love Language (Raleigh)
Car Seat Headrest
Reese McHenry (Raleigh)
Beach House
Surrender Human (Chapel Hill)
Caged Bird Fancier (Chapel Hill)

The Connells Tour Dates
08/17 – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl
09/17 – Athens, GA @ Georgia Theater
09/18 – Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern
09/29 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl
10/15 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle

Klemen Breznikar

The Connells Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Spotify / Bandcamp / YouTube
Missing Piece Records Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Spotify