DROP OF THE MONTH: #04

“Magnolia” - Thomston & Zeph

He’s amassed over 150 million streams worldwide, toured in support of Broods and Billie Eilish, received an MTV EMA Nomination for Best NZ Artist, and kiwi artist Thomston’s impressive career continues in the trajectory of success. Following the recent release of “JPA989”, he gives us another taste of his upcoming, highly-anticipated sophomore project, with the stunning, heartfelt duet “Magnolia” alongside rising artist Zeph.

“Magnolia is about that yearning for a different place, very much living inside a ‘grass is greener’ mentality. It touches on isolation, loneliness and tries to paint a picture of a utopian summer where a struggling relationship could thrive.” - Thomston

What can we expect from Thomston’s sophomore project? A visual world taking you from New Zealand to Los Angeles, sonically exploring the brightness of new romance to the dark twisted fate of a love affair that crashes and burns.

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Congrats on your new single! Where did you get the initial idea and inspiration for the song?

Thomston: For the couple years prior to writing this song, I had been bouncing around the world between California, Texas, and New Zealand. There was an unsettling feeling to that in the most literal sense. I was everywhere and nowhere and would fantasize about wherever I wasn’t. My lack of roots was an easy scapegoat in a lot of the trouble in my relationships and work and the song is painting a picture of that. 

Can you tell us a little bit about the meaning behind the track and why you decided to call it “Magnolia”?

Thomston: The house in Texas was this 100-year-old home made out of magnolia wood and had a couple large magnolia trees in the yard. It felt like an apt metaphor for the song, how something could grow, become a home, but you can’t help reflect on what it was, what it used to be. I was feeling that so much in my life at the time - what home meant.

What was the process like for writing, producing and recording this track?

Thomston: I started on this lyrically while walking through my family neighbourhood, and found a place for the lyrics over a really beautiful track Wells* had started. We got really stuck on the chorus so I left it alone for a few months. Sam Clark, his big brain of concepts, and I went on a long walk around the Hollywood Reservoir and really found the north star of the song, and we wrote the chorus and bridge that night.

At that point it really felt like a song that needed a different perspective and I am so in love with Zeph’s unfiltered angst. I sent her the song and a couple days later she sent back her verse that was just filled with unpretentious lyrical gems that were so brutal in their honesty. Struan Finlay in Christchurch mixed and really gave it this beautiful glossy sheen while keeping the dreamy feel intact. 

What were some of your main highlights working on the track?

Thomston: Knowing it was inspired by Dallas, Texas, and was written and produced between Auckland, Los Angeles, Maryland, and Christchurch … am … I … Mr Worldwide now?

Last one! Would you rather have the ability to make anyone fall in love with you, or not ever feel heartbreak? 🤔

Thomston: God, that’s tough. I would say the latter because there is no worse heartbreak than hurting someone you love. But then would that make me sociopathic, and not be able to even write about heartbreak? I am changing my answer to “make anyone fall in love with me” just as a way to maybe influence and change people’s minds. That power would be unreal. 

Thanks heaps Thomston! Make sure to keep up with him on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify or Apple Music.