A Chat with The Lost Messiahs (17.04.23)
Hailing from Portlaoise, Ireland, indie-folk group The Lost Messiahs has been compared to the likes of War of Drugs and The National. Yet, their raw vulnerability and immersive melodies make them stand out amidst their contemporaries. We speak with the band about their new single ‘Brownsfield’, discovering new music, and future plans.
OSR: What inspired you to begin making music?
The Lost Messiahs: We all have a passion for music and being able to create something original that resonates with people is always special. People react differently to our songs, for some it’s the music that they connect with and for others it’s the lyrical content of our songs.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
The Lost Messiahs: Music has always been special in our lives. It is like a spiritual connection that brings harmony and a connection to a deeper inner world.
OSR: What can you tell us about your new single ‘Brownsfield’?
The Lost Messiahs: This song was written about a real Brown’s field that was situated across from our house. It was just an ordinary field with a river at one end that flowed under a small bridge under a railway track. This pretty blank landscape/ canvas offered a young adolescent lots of room to create an imaginary world away from the ordinary into the extraordinary. it is a reflection on the life of a young adolescent working through their journey to adulthood. No one knows what the future will bring and sometimes too much time is spent in anticipation of it rather than living in the present moment. Everyone has their brownfield
OSR: Did you face any challenges when recording the single?
The Lost Messiahs: ‘Brownsfield’ was one of those songs that revealed itself quickly as soon as the opening riff arrived. The original arrangement on the very first version created on an acoustic guitar and recorded on an iPhone remained almost intact on the final recording which is a rare event for the Messiahs to face any challenges when recording the single.
OSR: What do you hope people take from your music?
The Lost Messiahs: Our music always has a spiritual dimension of self-discovery and enlightenment. Meditations on love, loss and a search for life meaning permeate our tracks which allow the listener to reflect on their own life journey.
“The deconstruction of the mind, the segue to a place
The silence, the fall, the breaking of the mould
The colours all explode, the wonder of it all
Look at the birds out in the sky, look how they fly, look how they fly
In a heartbeat, in a heartbeat, you and I, you and I”
OSR: You created a music video for ‘Brownsfield’. What can you tell us about it?
The Lost Messiahs: Making music videos to support our music has always appealed to us. Similar to our music where we like to create textural landscapes, videos give expression to the visual side.
OSR: What do you think were the best and worst things about making the video?
The Lost Messiahs: The best part is seeing the storyboard you imagined come to life and complement the song. The worst part is the organising and people management that goes with it.
OSR: Describe your music in three words.
The Lost Messiahs: Alternative. Atmospheric. Addictive.
OSR: What do you think is the best way to discover new music?
The Lost Messiahs: Ideally going to festivals and gigs is the best however there has never been greater access to new music through sites like Bandcamp, Spotify, etc.
OSR: What is the best and worst piece of advice you have ever received?
The Lost Messiahs: I don’t remember ever getting any advice but I think you have to be resilient to survive.
OSR: Do you have future plans as a musician?
The Lost Messiahs: Yes, to continue to write and record new original music
Many thanks to The Lost Messiahs for speaking with us. For more from The Lost Messiahs, check out their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
