Modern Nomad & Not Charles: Super Fireman
by Kyla Rain, cover photo by @untitledeva
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We’ve been following Baltimore based musician Tom McLean for a while now. Through mini tours, album releases, bedroom photoshoots and yet-to-be-seen interviews, we’ve been able to have a first row seat to his evolution and curation. Published under the pseudonym, Modern Nomad, each track Tom creates can elevate a room with groovy riffs and smooth vocals. This latest track with Not Charles, available on all major streaming platforms, is no exception. “Super Fireman,” is an up-beat indie song with roots of funk.
“This one was definitely inspired by some old Motown records,” McLean says. “Ive always loved the old Motown stuff and I had just watched the new documentary Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson made about Hitsville. My friend Charlie (Not Charles) came over the next day and we were talking about it, then went on with whatever we were working on. Right before we wrapped up, Charlie grabbed a bass and started playing the groove and I got behind the drums. We recorded the drums and bass together which I usually can’t do, I always track things separately myself. That really gave it a different feel then most of the other modern nomad stuff in my opinion. To me, this ones a little more straight forward then some of the other tracks I’ve put out. Charlie and I made an effort to not over do anything, and kind of let the groove of the song do most of the work.” Charles goes on to add, “We went into the session with the idea of ‘keeping it simple’ and sometimes that yields the best results. Keeping the tracks groovy yet simplistic has a certain sound on its own. I would hope that comes through to anyone listening to the new track!”
I think I speak for everyone when I say that the energy and thought put into this piece translates through, not a single second is lacking in groove. With Motown influences shining through, there's no denial at the layer of modern air added by McLean and Thompson (Not Charles). With the release of “Super Fireman,” we see yet another chapter in this discography of two artists bound to rise within the industry.
With this, we extend a very heartfelt thank you to Tom and Charles, for the support they’ve shown Pure Nowhere throughout everything, and the adamancy they continuously bring to the releases of new music.