Dive into the creative process behind Common Goldfish’s uplifting single, blending indie psychedelia with nostalgic rave vibes.
Common Goldfish, the musical project helmed by Tottenham-based producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jonty Lovell, first captured attention with the release of Feel The Fuzz in early 2022. Known for a sound that merges 90s house energy, Madchester indie spirit, and British psychedelia, Common Goldfish solidified their presence with the follow-up single Shout Louder, a perfect summer indie track ready for festival stages. Now, Common Goldfish returns with Low Lights And Throwback Tunes, a song that further refines his eclectic influences through a distinctive lens. This track evokes comparisons to Gorillaz, The Charlatans, and Utah Saints, yet maintains a fresh and contemporary sound that defines the Common Goldfish Song identity. Let’s explore the journey of how this compelling track was brought to life.
common goldfish · Low Lights and Throwback Tunes
The Spark of Inspiration for a Goldfish Song
Lovell reveals the diverse influences shaping the Common Goldfish sound, noting, “As well as old psych-rock, I’m pretty influenced by late 80s/early 90s baggy psychedelia.” He explains the genesis of Low Lights And Throwback Tunes as an exploration into electronic elements, stating, “I’d been wanting to add a few more electronic elements to the common goldfish sound and this track was one of the first experiments. To be honest, I’m still working out how far I can push this whilst keeping it indie/psychedelia!”
The resurgence of 90s rave music played a pivotal role in the song’s direction. “I’d heard a number of old-school 90s rave tracks being played out over the summer, a genre which seems to be making a bit of a comeback,” Lovell shares. He cites iconic tracks like Danny Breaks’ Far Out and Awesome 3’s Don’t Go as having a “timeless quality” that resonated deeply. “To me, they unearth an intense feeling of uplifting nostalgia which is what the common goldfish project is all about,” he elaborates. Experiencing these tracks live at festivals became the “driving inspiration behind the track in general – particularly the piano stabs,” a defining feature of this Common Goldfish song.
Jonty Lovell of Common Goldfish, in a close up shot, reflecting on the diverse musical influences behind his song
Lovell emphasizes the importance of unexpected influences in his creative process. “Looking back, I think I actually create the most interesting music when my inspirations and references are quite far from the genre or sound I’m trying to create. That way you leave a lot of room for sonic discovery.” This approach allows the Common Goldfish sound to remain unique, even while drawing from recognizable genres.
Lyrical Collaboration and Nostalgic Themes in this Goldfish Song
Low Lights And Throwback Tunes marks the first collaboration between Lovell and lyricist Ned Kilgannon. Lovell describes Kilgannon’s lyrical talent with admiration: “Ned’s a writer, and he’d sent me some poetry he’d been working on. He has an incredible playfulness with words that is simply a step beyond my capabilities – I can only sit back and appreciate his work!” A line from Kilgannon’s poem, “Low lights and throwback tunes,” immediately captivated Lovell, becoming the cornerstone of the song.
“I knew instantly that this had to be the foundation of the song. What better way to evoke nostalgic sentiment than throwback tunes?” Lovell reflects. The phrase conjured vivid imagery of shared moments and after-party atmospheres. “It immediately took me to those moments you share with your mates, when you’re out and about or at an after-party, and that one iconic throwback tune starts blaring out the speakers. Before you know it, everyone’s up and dancing, and there’s an energy flowing through the room.” This powerful imagery fueled the chorus, which Lovell crafted rapidly after finding the central lyrical theme.
The chorus lyrics further explore this theme of joyful abandon: “You can’t help but feel it in the room, a sense of joy and a freedom inside. It’s enough just to blow your childish mind.” Lovell explains the significance of the “childish mind” reference, noting, “Life can get very serious and so it’s important to channel your inner child at times.” The bridge vocals, “See how the tiles on the dancefloor rise, it deserves a standing ovation,” directly originate from Kilgannon’s poem, showcasing the lyricist’s “playful imagery” and contributing to the song’s distinctive character as a Common Goldfish song.
Crafting the Music: 90s Rave Elements Meet Indie Psychedelia in a Common Goldfish Track
The musical creation of Low Lights And Throwback Tunes began in the studio with a friend, experimenting with a Roland TR-8 drum machine. “We were mucking around with a Roland TR-8 drum machine and having created a cool beat, we layered the ARP sound and the bass stab which can be heard throughout the track using a Jupiter synth plug-in,” Lovell details. To inject a raw, psychedelic edge, he “then replaced a number of the 808 drum sounds with 90s break samples. I often use these sounds to give my drums a rougher, more psychedelic feel.” This blend of electronic and sampled drums is key to the Common Goldfish sound.
Building upon the drum loop, Lovell layered additional elements. “As always, once I’m happy with the drum loop I then start to layer the other elements. The piano stabs came pretty quickly, which as mentioned above were inspired by the 90s rave era.” The wide, washed-out guitar chords heard in the verses were also early additions, establishing the “bare bones of the track.”
A defining sonic element is the vocal sample, sourced from a 90s rave documentary on YouTube. “The vocal sample was a cool addition. This was taken from a 90s rave documentary on YouTube. I washed out and distorted the sample a lot, to add character but not much else. I think it really glues the guitar and the beat together during the intro (and second breakdown).” This manipulated sample adds texture and reinforces the 90s rave influence within the Common Goldfish song.
Jonty Lovell of Common Goldfish, pictured in a relaxed studio setting, discussing the musical production of his latest track
Interestingly, the chorus hook, a central feature of any catchy song, was the last element to materialize. “Funnily enough, the chorus hook was the last piece of the puzzle to come. I knew there was a melody in there that would pull the whole track together but having tried a number of times it finally came to me.” Lovell describes it as a high-energy melody that demands vocal commitment: “It’s pretty high and is a melody line that I can only really sing at the top of my voice. It makes the live set nice and easy…”
Studio Refinement and Collaborative Production of the Goldfish Song
Initially recorded in Lovell’s home studio, Low Lights And Throwback Tunes underwent further refinement at Resident Studios with engineer Adam McCarter. “This was originally recorded in my home studio. I then re-recorded the piano and vocals at Resident Studios with my friend and engineer Adam McCarter. They have a Yamaha grand piano in Studio 1 at Resident, which added a lot of depth. Fair to say it sounded a bit richer than my MIDI keyboard!” The use of a grand piano significantly enhanced the sonic depth of this Common Goldfish song.
Post-production work with producer Alex Loring focused on transitions and subtle details. “I then did some post-production work with Alex Loring who’s an incredible producer and worked with loads of cool rock and indie bands. We worked on all of the transitions together – I think my favourite is during the bridge when everything strips back but the fill, and then it goes into the vocals, “See how the tiles.”” Lovell highlights the importance of these nuanced elements: “People may not notice or appreciate it, but little moments like this keep songs interesting and worthy of re-listening.”
Mixing was handled by Danny Trachtenburg, who has become a consistent collaborator for Common Goldfish releases. “The track was then mixed down by the very talented Danny Trachtenburg, who’s mixed all of my releases to date. I feel for him, as I often send him quite rough stems giving him a lot to do! He always somehow manages to smooth them over, bringing out the key elements whilst retaining the rawness and character of the song.” Mastering by Stephen Kelly at Tall Trees Engineering provided the final polish, ensuring the track’s sonic impact. “The track was mastered by Stephen Kelly at Tall Trees Engineering, who made the final version pop.”
Final Thoughts: The Feeling Behind the Goldfish Song
Lovell encapsulates the core intention behind Low Lights And Throwback Tunes: “I think ultimately music is all about what it makes you feel. Life throws up many rules and restrictions and I want Low Lights And Throwback Tunes to make you feel unstoppable and to, “Blow your childish minds!”” This Common Goldfish song is designed to evoke freedom, joy, and a release from everyday constraints, inviting listeners to embrace a sense of childlike wonder.
Low Lights And Throwback Tunes by common goldfish is out now via Three Sign. Find out more at commongoldfish.co.uk
More ‘Song Deconstructed’ features
