A Nuclear Winter (due out June 23rd via Happiness (A Record Label) / State Fair Records) is Texas songwriter-producer Salim Nourallah’s first full-length release since 2018’s double LP, Somewhere South of Sane. Overall, it’s Nourallah’s eighth studio album. Nourallah explains, “Many of the songs on this album were exhumed from a particularly rough period of my life, my ‘nuclear winter,’ so to speak. At the heart of it is the age-old struggle to be ‘seen’ while a relationship is in the throes of upheaval.” The 10-song record is the result of a collaboration between Nourallah and British guitarist/songwriter and producer Marty Willson-Piper. Willson-Piper spent over 30 years in the Australian band The Church and continues to perform, produce, and prolifically record since parting ways with the band. Nourallah has spent many years releasing his own solo records, participating in side projects like the Travoltas and the Disappearing Act, and producing a vast array of other artists. The Old 97’s, The Damnwells, and Rhett Miller sit atop the list of Nourallah’s production credits.
Plans to release the material Nourallah and Willson-Piper co-produced in Nashville fell through when the Covid-19 pandemic struck in March of 2020, forcing Willson-Piper to cancel plans to come to the United States and tour with Nourallah. “Every time I tried to move forward, something would get in my way,” Nourallah explains. “The world said ‘nope’ so many times it became almost comedic. But even with all of the pandemic stuff taken into consideration, the most difficult part of making this record was actually answering the voice of my teenage self saying that it ‘wasn’t good enough yet.’ Since I’d been a fan of Marty and his ex-band for many years, I set the bar pretty high. I was determined not to release an album that didn’t live up to my own expectations.”
Material from the Nashville sessions finally emerged in August of 2022 when Nourallah released the five-song See You in Marfa EP. The EP received a bunch of favorable reviews.
Glide Magazine said “[Nourallah] brings together the indie rock sensibility of Wilco and the catchy power pop stylings of Tom Petty… [The EP] also provides further proof that, while Nourallah may not be as recognized as the acts he produces, he is a gem of a writer and musician.”
To coincide with A Nuclear Winter’s release in May, Nourallah and Willson-Piper are planning a string of shows across Texas early next year, as well as European dates in the spring/summer of 2023. Nourallah will also reunite with his band in February in celebration of the Old 97’s 30th anniversary.
Today Glide is excited to premiere “Loved By You,” a standout tune that expresses the hopeful desire that usually comes at the onset of a new relationship though it’s ultimately a plea to be ‘seen’ by another. With its sly yet laid back groove, the song finds Nourallah showcasing his cool vocal delivery alongside lyrics that are simple and direct. Indeed, his penchant for crafting infectious and resonating works of indie rock and Americana is on full display here. Of course, much of the song’s vibe comes courtesy of Marty Willson-Piper and his gorgeously inventive guitar playing. The animated video filled with dreamlike imagery only adds to the sense of playful mysteriousness and reflection in the lyrics.
Watch the video and read our chat with Nourallah below…
What prompted you to write this song? What was the inspiration behind it?
What prompted and inspired me to write “Loved by You” was seeking a connection with someone I was in a relationship with. I wasn’t feeling “seen,” and I felt compelled to put down all of these thoughts I might tend to shy away from verbally. I’m happy that it still feels like a sentiment I stand by. I’m looking to achieve all of these things while I’m still here!
How did this song come together when you wrote it? What was the songwriting process like?
My main way of writing is usually on acoustic guitar. I tend to zone out and enter this hyper-focused state that I feel I must have become addicted to over the years. This song came together on acoustic guitar. The words happened fairly quickly, but I kept circling back to revising the bridge lyrics. I rewrote them several times before settling on the words that made it into the final recording.
When you recorded this song, what kind of vibe were you going for? Did it end up sounding like you expected it to or did it come out differently from what you thought it would be?
I actually recorded this song twice with my band. The first time was in Austin at a place called the Treefort. I definitely had a sound in mind that I conveyed to the guys. I was really pleased that it turned out pretty much the way I had envisioned it. Sometimes that can be a trap, recordings not living up to expectations. In this case, that wasn’t so. John Dufilho played a really nice drum hook that reminded me of The Zombies, and Joe Reyes came up with some excellent guitar parts. When we recorded it the second time, in Nashville, during the sessions that would yield the A Nuclear Winter album, Marty Willson-Piper came into the mix. He added some nice guitar parts, especially on the bridge.
What was it like working with Marty Willson-Piper (formerly of The Church) on this song and on the whole album?
It was phenomenal working with Marty. He’s one of my favorite guitarists of all time – I’ve always loved his former band, The Church. In my early days, that band was a huge inspiration. Marty also brings lots of positive energy and an insatiable appetite for listening to and playing music. These are things that have put us in a nice alignment with each other.
Let’s talk about the video. Whose idea was the video treatment?
The video is a creation of an Australian musician/ visual artist named Jordan Thompson. I had worked with Jordan before on a video for a song called “Hold On To the Night.” I was thrilled with the way that video turned out, so I asked him if he would be up for doing another one.
How did you come to work with him?
I met Jordan through my friend, Liam Halliwell, who is in a great Australian band called Snowy Band. My label, Happiness (A Record Label), helped Snowy with their first two vinyl pressings, and I loved the videos Jordan made for them.
Did you have any input on the video and its storyline?
The storyline and treatment were all Jordan’s ideas. That’s what I love about him. He is such a creative person, and what he envisaged for these videos fit my music perfectly. It’s been an excellent creative pairing.
What do you hope the message of the video is?
I’m not sure there’s really a message in the video. I’d just like it to hold people’s attention for three minutes and not just 10 seconds. I think Jordan has made a work of art here. It definitely captures the feeling of longing which lies at the heart of the song.
What is your favorite part/moment in the video or your favorite thing about the video?
My favorite moment in the video is when our little iguana friend comes out of the box that was clearly made by his previous owner’s child.
What is coming up next for Salim Nourallah?
Ha! The million dollar question! I have two albums in the works with my genius friend, Billy Harvey. I’m hoping one or both of them might come out later this year or in early 2024. Marty is also planning to come back to the states in May, and we’re starting another album with my band. I’ve also been helping Marty with a collection of his own songs, tentatively called I’m A Really Big Fan of Your Old Stuff. That’s just the tip of the iceberg!
