Podcast Summary: All Of It with Alison Stewart – Featuring Lord Huron's New Album "The Cosmic Selector, Volume 1"
Release Date: July 31, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart on WNYC, listeners are treated to an in-depth conversation with Ben Schneider, the frontman of the indie folk band Lord Huron, along with his band members. The discussion centers around their highly anticipated fifth studio album, "The Cosmic Selector, Volume 1." The episode not only delves into the creative process behind the album but also explores the band's evolution over the past decade, the impact of their breakout hit "The Night We Met," and their philosophical inspirations drawn from literature and personal experiences.
Journey Through "The Cosmic Selector, Volume 1"
The episode kicks off with Alison Stewart setting the stage, highlighting Lord Huron’s success with their previous hit, "The Night We Met," which achieved triple platinum status and amassed over 3 billion Spotify streams. She introduces the new album, noting its thematic exploration of love, loss, and the freedom of the open road, all crafted by Ben Schneider.
Quote:
Alison Stewart [00:08]: "Lord Huron’s new album, The Cosmic Selector, Volume 1, uses his own life and the lives of fictional characters to explore love and loss and the freedom of hitting the open road."
Ben Schneider elaborates on the album's depth, emphasizing the blend of personal narratives and fictional storytelling.
Quote:
Ben Schneider [01:07]: "I had the idea of somebody who just kind of stumbles their way through life and things happen around them and somehow they make it work. And life goes on."
Band Introduction and Evolution
As the conversation progresses, Ben introduces the talented members of Lord Huron, providing insight into the band's dynamic and collaborative spirit.
Quote:
Ben Schneider [05:51]: "Over here to my right, I've got Tom Renaud on guitar. Got Waylon Rector on guitar as well. Vocals, we got Brandon Walters on guitar and vocals. Misty Boyce on keys. Banjo, vocals. Miguel Brazeno on the bass. Mark Berry tapping away on the suitcase and the snare over there."
When asked about the band's evolution over their five albums, Ben reflects on their commitment to creative authenticity, avoiding trends, and continuously exploring new musical landscapes.
Quote:
Ben Schneider [06:25]: "We've always just kind of followed whatever we've been interested in with each album... We've produced everything since the beginning. We've got our own studio in LA that we've worked in for years now... We've just tried to keep true to that ethos of following what we're interested in, not trying to follow trends too much or be too worried about what people are going to think of the things we make."
He envisions the band's discography as a continuously evolving narrative, likening it to one long album spanning from 2010 into the future.
Quote:
Ben Schneider [07:25]: "I kind of think of it as one long. One long album, you know, that started in 2010 and will hopefully go until many years into the future."
Inspirations and Songwriting Philosophy
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the band's inspiration from literature, particularly the works of Thomas Hardy. Ben shares how novels like Tess of the D'Urbervilles and Far from the Madding Crowd have influenced his songwriting, infusing his music with existential philosophy and narrative depth.
Quote:
Ben Schneider [10:51]: "I've been on a big Thomas Hardy kick for the past year... He's just a really special writer because he writes these very pastoral stories about love, but there's always a lot of existential philosophy sort of smuggled in, which seems really contemporary."
Ben emphasizes the importance of leaving space in songs for listeners to infuse their own experiences, fostering a personal connection with the music.
Quote:
Ben Schneider [11:42]: "I've always tried to leave space. Not be too specific with details so that people can kind of insert their own biography in the space between the words."
This philosophy is evident in songs like "Nothing I Need," where he explores the theme of unfulfilled desires and the realization that what one wants may not align with what one truly needs.
Quote:
Ben Schneider [12:30]: "Every single one, I try to put a little something, even if it's kind of a straightforward tune... It's just about... someone realizing something they've been pursuing out of want is maybe not exactly the thing they need."
Collaborating with Producer Matthew Nabor
The episode delves into the collaborative relationship between Lord Huron and their producer, Matthew Nabor. Ben explains how their partnership was formed through mutual connections and a shared creative vision.
Quote:
Ben Schneider [17:35]: "I met him through another artist... We just hit it off and kind of hit the ground running in terms of how I wanted the record to sound and what he could bring to it."
Matthew Nabor's role in encouraging the band to take their time and his support in exploring new sounds are highlighted as key factors in the album's development.
Quote:
Ben Schneider [18:34]: "He's really good at encouraging us and letting us take the time that it takes... We're kind of more tinkerers, naturally, and we just like to kind of dig in and play around with sounds."
Impact of "The Night We Met" and New Audience Reach
Reflecting on a decade since the release of "The Night We Met," Ben discusses how the song's enduring popularity, particularly through platforms like TikTok, has expanded their audience without confining them to a single hit.
Quote:
Ben Schneider [21:31]: "It's given us creative freedom... we can keep experimenting without feeling beholden to anybody... that's made things like Madison Square Garden even a possibility."
He expresses gratitude that the song's fame centers solely on the music, allowing the band to maintain their artistic integrity.
Quote:
Ben Schneider [23:00]: "It's cool that it's just the music is the focus... not our latest relationships or anything like that."
Exploring Mystery and Beauty in Music
Ben shares his fascination with the interplay between mystery and beauty, a theme that permeates their music. He believes that as one ages and gains more experiences, the depth of life's mysteries only intensifies, enriching their songwriting.
Quote:
Ben Schneider [24:58]: "The mysteries of the world just keep unfolding as I go through life... those big mysteries, love and consciousness and the cosmos, they all just seem to become richer the older I get."
Live Performances and Song Highlights
Throughout the episode, Lord Huron performs live renditions of tracks from their new album, including "Bag of Bones," "Nothing I Need," and "Used to Know." These performances offer listeners a firsthand experience of the album's lyrical poignancy and melodic craftsmanship.
Conclusion
The episode concludes with Alison Stewart expressing gratitude to Ben Schneider and Lord Huron for their insightful conversation and performances. Listeners are left with a profound understanding of the band's artistic journey, the philosophical underpinnings of their music, and the promising trajectory of their new album, "The Cosmic Selector, Volume 1."
Quote:
Alison Stewart [29:29]: "Thank you so much for joining us. We really appreciate it."
Key Takeaways:
- Creative Authenticity: Lord Huron remains committed to evolving their sound based on genuine interests rather than following trends.
- Literary Inspirations: The band's songwriting is deeply influenced by literature, particularly the existential themes found in Thomas Hardy's works.
- Collaborative Synergy: The partnership with producer Matthew Nabor has been instrumental in shaping the new album’s sound and depth.
- Enduring Success: "The Night We Met" continues to impact the band's reach and creative freedom, allowing for exploration without the constraints of being a one-hit wonder.
- Philosophical Depth: The new album delves into themes of mystery, beauty, love, and existential philosophy, aiming to create a personal connection with listeners.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Alison Stewart [00:08]: Introduction to Lord Huron's success and new album.
- Ben Schneider [01:07]: Conceptualization of "Bag of Bones."
- Ben Schneider [06:25]: Evolution of the band and creative ethos.
- Ben Schneider [10:51]: Influence of Thomas Hardy on songwriting.
- Ben Schneider [12:30]: Philosophy behind "Nothing I Need."
- Ben Schneider [17:35]: Collaboration with Matthew Nabor.
- Ben Schneider [21:31]: Impact of "The Night We Met" on their career.
- Ben Schneider [24:58]: Exploration of mystery and beauty in music.
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the All Of It podcast episode featuring Lord Huron, offering listeners a rich understanding of the band's latest endeavors, creative philosophies, and the profound themes woven into their music.