Newly Signed To Last Gang Records, Singer-Songwriter PRESTON LOVINGGOOD Discusses His Latest Album and More!

“Consequences” is the name of Preston Lovinggood’s latest album released on May 17th via Last Gang Records/eOne music. This collection manages to perfect straightforward, hook-laden folk-pop while subtly incorporating elements of psychedelia for a unique listening experience. The latest track released from the album, “Moon Fever,” is about wanting something that’s always out of reach, being afraid to take risks when you have feelings for someone, and feeling stuck in a dream-like fantasy.

“Consequences” was recorded in Nashville, TN with producers Juan Solorzano and Zachary Dyke, who also doubled as Preston’s band-mates on the album.

He previously fronted the Alabama indie-rock band Wild Sweet Orange who rose to fame in the late 00’s with a track featured on Grey’s Anatomy.

Preston will perform in select cities this summer, including Birmingham, Nashville, Atlanta and New York.

Learn more about Preston Lovinggood in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you?

Of course, thank you for YOUR time! This interview finds me in my favorite coffee shop. I just bought a cup of hot coffee cause I’m on a budget. I’m a little bummed cause I really wanted a cold brew and a Topo Chico.

Now that we are half-way through the year, how has 2019 been treating you? What are some goals that you have for yourself this year? How close are you to reaching them?

2019 has been terrific! Signing with Last Gang has brought me into some great company and I’ve for sure accomplished some goals that I have been envisioning for about a decade! Hoping to get some songs in film and television. The songs actually started out being a licensing project. I feel like they’re a group of cinematic songs.

Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?

Great question!  It was very important to me. Growing up in the 90s and seeing the grunge movement take over was super exciting. I started writing songs with my friends when I was in 5th grade. We were in a band until I was like 26. It was a beautiful and hard ride! But I regret nothing about not choosing a normal life. It was a difficult choice, we had a lot of encouragement from our families but not from our girlfriend’s families! Lol

Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing? Would you be as fulfilled in life?

There for sure was, I tried some college but I was a terrible student. I have always viewed songwriting as a form of therapy. I would have loved to be a psychologist. I think I would have felt fulfilled in life. Music for me is about communicating something through creativity. As long as that’s happening, I feel in tune with my goals and destiny.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

I guess the financial struggles. I wish I would have focused more on being successful instead of famous in my early 20s. We tasted a very small taste of that success and unfortunately it was kind of fatal for me. Took a lot of time to recover from that season of life.

Let’s talk about your newest music including the lead single from your new album “Consequences,” “Everything Will Be Okay.” What was the inspiration for this track? 

My friend started playing that lick and I immediately started singing the melody to it. I was thinking of my friend’s art show called  “Everything Will Be All Right” It was based on Walker Percy’s novel, The Moviegoer. A book that has been a true companion for me on my pilgrimage through this life. So I’m always kind of thinking about it, and it just felt right in the moment, and I wanted to change it up and say okay, that felt better with the melody.  That book is about a man in despair. A man who has tried to find meaning in making money and having a great deal of romantic partners. So I tried to make it a song about self forgiveness for past mistakes.

What are some other songs on “Consequences” that you are particularly proud of? How did they get to be on this album?

Some stand out tracks for me are “Yellow Dog”, “Taken in the Night” and “Consequences”. They were songs that took me years to write so it was a very easy decision to have them on the record.

What was it like putting “Consequences” together? Did anything surprise you about the overall process?

The biggest challenge for me was having to ask for so much help! A lot of my lyric writing ability was in hibernation. I was truly blessed by a few of my friends that literally held my hand. It was thrilling, I know it sounds cliche, but the more I let go the more things fell into place. It made space for some true creativity and fun in the studio!

How does being a solo artist compare to fronting your rock band, Wild Sweet Orange?

Walking up on stage with people you had been performing with since you were a kid can be a huge comfort blanket. So I do miss that. Being a solo artist means you sometimes have to hire new people for each gig, but I have gotten to meet so many people that truly feel like family now.

Where can people see you perform next? Do you plan to tour at all this summer or later this year?

I’m playing in Huntsville AL with this exceptional band, The Brook and Bluff on August 2nd at The Camp and I have a home town show in Birmingham on August 3rd for this amazing festival, Secret Stages. (secretstages.net) Then we are booking a house show tour for the fall all over the country!

What has been a favorite performance of yours so far?

I played in Nashville at the High watt this summer with some friends that feel like family, and it was truly a special night!

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started making music?

I think the songwriting muscle has gotten stronger and the ability to trust my instincts on stage and off.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now? What has social media done for your career?

It’s an interesting topic. It’s very addictive by nature and I’m totally addicted! While that can be draining, I love DMing with my fan-base and messaging other songwriters I love too. It can be so encouraging.  Digital friends are friends too.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

I would have loved to have worked with Leonard Cohen! But with folks that are alive, I would jump in the studio if invited with SIA, Bleachers, Lana Del Rey, Ben Folds, Carl Anderson, Molly Parden, Sontalk, King Leg and The Dove and The Wolf. Just to name a few! I would also be thrilled to be produced by Jon Brion, Rob Schnapf, Ariel Rechtshaid, Rostam Batmanglij And Blake Mills. Get in line amiright?

If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?

I love all the stuff that Paul Thomas Anderson has done for Radiohead. It would be a dream to make something as spectacular as the Netflix special they did together called Anima.

Where would you absolutely love to hear one of your songs? On a TV show, in a movie or elsewhere? 

Big Little Lies, A Marvel Film or in a(very cliche I know) Wes Anderson movie!

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music? 

I always hope to inspire or bring Hope. If one of those two things happen then I’m very satisfied and feel as though I’ve won in some cosmic game.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about your music?

Please support your friends who make any kind of art! You may think we are rich because we have a smile on our face. But some of us aren’t and could really use the cash. Lol