The singer-songwriter known as Livid
Lover has released his latest rock single, an indie-pop track titled
“Ayla You Blow My Mind.” The track has been dropped with an
accompanying B-side, “All Reason's Leaving Now,” as well as an
extended version for fans and enthusiasts. They are the first
official releases from Livid Lover since his 2015 LP, “Don't Worry,
I'll Always Love You … And of Course … Mess with Your Head.”
Stylistically accessible, emotionally complex, and as creatively
colorful as fans of Livid Lover have come to expect, “Ayla You Blow
My Mind” is a single to remind us that contemporary pop can still
bring depth and texture into the 21st century.
Livid Lover is the stage name of Blake
Nolan Hanson. Hanson is also known for his work with Halo Minor,
whose 2015 EP “Further Now You're Close” features Derek Abrams of
Ministry on drums. Hanson cites as main artistic influences a broad
spectrum of legends including Stevie Wonder, Sia, the Mars Volta,
Failure, the Year Of The Rabbit, Flood, Bjork, Deftones, and Massive
Attack.
Also notable on “Ayla...” are the
talents of Devin Tomczik, who provided drums and percussion which
drive the music and lend palpable adrenaline and power.
Fans of power-pop bands like Big Star
and the Plimsouls, as well as those of alternative-rock crews like
Stone Temple Pilots and Smashing Pumpkins, are likely to find much to
appreciate in “Ayla You Blow My Mind” by Livid Lover. “Ayla...”
blends acoustic minimalism in its production with unexpected yet
effective chord progressions. Livid Lover's raw vocals bespeak an
underlying blues principle, his lyric style on “Ayla...” and its
B-side, “All Reason's...” venturing into the narrative mode of
bluegrass.
This makes sense, as the Minneapolis native has since migrated to the American music hotbed of Nashville.
This makes sense, as the Minneapolis native has since migrated to the American music hotbed of Nashville.
“Nashville has reinforced in me the
importance of the lyric and storytelling,” writes Livid Lover. “I
would not have written this single had it not been for the move. Any
given night, one can find top-level writers performing. It's just
ridiculous. Humbling and eye opening as well.”
While music from Livid Lover does boast
a level of maturity beyond typical “bubblegum” pop standards,
Hanson, himself, does not wax proud. In fact, he dislikes taking
credit for even his solo work.
“[Who writes my songs?] The
multi-verse. My background in studying songwriting helps me
collaborate with that infinite intelligence.”
He also helps fans understand his
creative process in terms of a purposeful aural awareness.
“I gravitate to what sounds beautiful
in my ears and try my best to put together what I can with what I
feel I am good at doing. I want those who take time to listen to what
I and my lovely collaborators do to have a unique experience. I
really just want to become a super version of this weird thing
inhabiting my body, and I want to see a huge shift in consciousness
take place soon.”
Of no small interest, too, is Livid
Lover's unique method of self-motivation. This notably included the
ultimatum of a donation to the Westboro Baptist Church, known for its
use of inflammatory hate speech in the media. The artist could not
allow himself to fail.
“It was part of a list of tasks to
activate a quantum leap in my artist career,” Hanson explains. “My
penalty for non-completion was a $50.00 check written to the Westboro
Baptist Church. (Not my idea, but a great one to motivate me, I
thought). This nine-day list had, like, five YouTube vids to post, a
complete demo of 'Ayla...' 90% done, and some other uncomfortable
things. Tiring week, but it all got done. Westboro got $0 from me, I
found the exciting chorus, and I was able to send the song to the one
who inspired it on her birthday as a gift.”
Music aficionados have similar reasons to celebrate. Songwriting like that of Livid Lover is a gift to music, itself, and to audiophiles everywhere.
Music aficionados have similar reasons to celebrate. Songwriting like that of Livid Lover is a gift to music, itself, and to audiophiles everywhere.
“Ayla You Blow My Mind” by Livid
Lover is available from over 600 quality digital music retailers
online worldwide now. Get in early.
An official music video for “Ayla You
Blow My Mind” is also expected soon.
-S. McCauley
Lead Press Release Writer
“Ayla You Blow My Mind” by
Livid Lover –
Official Website –
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