Behind The Headlights (August 26th), Austin-based artist Jeremy Nail’s fifth album, finds the singer-songwriter grappling with loneliness – not the self-destructive kind, though; instead, the type that leads one to take stock of their life, re-prioritize and begin to have new experiences.
Jeremy began recording the album socially distanced, in June of 2020, along with co-producer Pat Manske. “I wanted to make something if only to make myself feel better,” he says.
Jeremy has been based out of Austin since 2005 but has always been surrounded by art of some sort: his hometown, Albany, Texas – population 2,000, situated halfway between Fort Worth and Lubbock – is home of The Old Jail Art Center, an art and regional history museum housed in a former jailhouse building from the 19th century. Jeremy’s uncles, Reilly Nail and Bill Bomar, are its founders.
Along the way to making this album, Jeremy overcame some well-chronicled setbacks – most notably, a cancer diagnosis in 2012, which eventually led to the amputation of his left leg; the experience was discussed back in 2016 on his album, My Mountain. The album was produced by the legendary Alejandro Escovedo, who Jeremy had planned to tour with before his plans changed. A decade removed from that experience, Jeremy isn’t interested in talking about cancer anymore; it’s not longer a defining factor in his life.
Behind The Headlights is Jeremy coming to terms with what it means to be in the here and now, what it is to move forward; how to learn from your past, and create a realistic future for yourself.
Today Glide is excited to premiere the album’s center point, “Open Door,” which chronicles the idea well: “I wanted a quiet arc to this album given its central lyrical themes,” he says. “I love the idea that silence and solitude bear way to a frame of mind. This is one of my favorite tracks I’ve ever done.” The quiet folk track finds Jeremy baring his soul as he dives into lyrics that are deep and introspective. Backed by rich, orchestral sounds, the song carries a tone that is poignant and stirring. The acoustic guitar is beautiful and only adds to the emotion of the lyrics, giving the song a delicate sensibility.
Photo by Todd V. Wolfson
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photos by Todd V. Wolfson
Apologies Todd. We weren’t given a photo credit by PR. Will add you.