Emerging from Darkness: An Exclusive Interview with LONNIE WALKER on ‘Easy Easy Easy Easy’ and Their Triumphant Return

After nearly a decade-long hiatus, LONNIE WALKER returns stronger than ever with their highly anticipated album ‘Easy Easy Easy Easy‘, released via Sleepy Cat Records. Known for their unique blend of indie rock, psych-rock, and folk influences, the Raleigh, NC-based band is once again captivating audiences with their gritty, unfiltered sound. But the journey to this album hasn’t been easy. Frontman BRIAN CORUM faced intense personal challenges, including a battle with heroin addiction and a period of homelessness, which left the future of the band in limbo.

Now clean and sober for five years, Corum has emerged from the darkness with a renewed perspective, channeling his experiences into raw, emotional music that is both harrowing and uplifting. In ‘Easy Easy Easy Easy‘, the band explores themes of addiction, recovery, and the complexity of life’s struggles, all while maintaining the sharp, loose-limbed sound that has earned them a devoted following. We sat down with Brian to discuss the inspiration behind the new album, his personal journey, and the band’s return to the stage.

INFRARED MAG: Lonnie Walker, thank you for taking the time to chat with us. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the name ‘Easy Easy Easy Easy’ and how it reflects the band’s journey and musical vision?

LONNIE WALKER: The title is from a combination of a few things. The phrase “Easy Does It” which I use frequently, the fact that there are four members of the band, and simply that when I envisioned the way the album art would look, I thought that the phrase (which is lifted from the song “Funny Feelin’”) would aesthetically look good written out due to its repetitiveness.

INFRARED MAG: After a near decade-long hiatus, what motivated you to come back and create new music?

LONNIE WALKER: I had continued to write and work on music during this large gap between releases but so much had happened to me personally that it was difficult to share the work that was needed to be put into releasing new music with the work that was needed to be to put into myself to get better. The latter was more pressing

INFRARED MAG: Brian, your personal journey has been incredibly challenging. How have your experiences with addiction and homelessness influenced the music on ‘Easy Easy Easy Easy’?

LONNIE WALKER: For songs like “Funny Feelin’” and “All Form will Fade” my own personal issues with addiction definitely made its way in there. Those songs didn’t start out as a way to express those thoughts and feelings but while writing it they somehow entered in.

The lyric “I’m getting fucked in a glass apartment with a crowd around” is a pretty good summary of what it felt like being trapped in the vortex of addiction. However, having gone through it and gotten to the other side has given me a different perspective on it all. I have a sense of gratitude for all of that darkness. I’m not saying I would ever want to go through it again or wish it on my worst enemy but the freedom I feel having been pulled through it is pretty amazing. I’ve been able to experience more sides of life than many people will and that’s sort of a blessing in a certain way. Not every song on the album is about me or about addiction but I suppose since I’m a vehicle in which the lyrics flow through then it’s always there a little bit.

The homeless shelter I stayed in was actually a godsend. It had a recovery program of action attached to it and I was able to give more of my focus to that which helped me build a solid foundation for when I returned to “regular” life.

Photo Credit: Kendall Bailey Photography

INFRARED MAG: The band has managed to keep its original lineup. How has this stability contributed to the sound and chemistry on the new album?

LONNIE WALKER: Eric and I have been playing guitar together for a long time now and I think through all of that experience we’ve really learned how to complement each other’s style of playing. I really love how his playing shines on this album. Throughout the whole album his guitar track is on the right and mine is on the left. Except for the songs “Busy Bold Sounds” and “Cool Sparkling Water” where I play bass guitar, in which case Mic plays guitar on the left.

Raymond and Mic are the same way, we’ve been playing together for so long that we know how each other operates.

INFRARED MAG: Can you walk us through the recording process of ‘Easy Easy Easy Easy’? What was it like recording live to tape?

LONNIE WALKER: Recording live to tape gives less options for editing but I have always liked a certain looseness to recordings. I mean it can obviously go too far one way or the other when it comes to sounding too slick or sloppy and under practiced. We had tried recording the album all multi-tracked and while I’ve had some success with this method in the past, it sucked a lot of the life out of this batch of songs, so I was lucky enough to be able to find a ¼” tape recorder called a Tascam 388 and we recorded live to it with the help of our friend Colin who engineered the album.

INFRARED MAG: Songs like “Natural Lady” and “Cool Sparkling Water” have unique styles and tones. How do you approach blending different musical elements in your tracks?

LONNIE WALKER: I’m not really sure. I don’t ever recall even doing that, but I do truly try to leave myself wide open when writing and then editing out what needs to go. That can be the hardest part honestly, getting attached to a melody or phrase that may be in the way of something greater, but you’ve sung it so many times in your head that it now seems that that is the way it’s supposed to be!
The songs get fulfilled once I bring them to the band and we arrange them together. A lot of times they take a direction I wasn’t even expecting and the mix of all our playing styles and tastes informs what they end up sounding like too.

INFRARED MAG: ‘Easy Easy Easy Easy’ addresses various themes, including addiction and recovery. What message do you hope listeners take away from the album?

LONNIE WALKER: I just hope that listeners take what they want from the music. It’s their prerogative.
If there is someone that has suffered or is suffering from addiction that listens to the music and connects with that particular aspect, then I am over the moon. I always love connecting with these people because going through it can make one feel so misunderstood. That said it really is all about connection and I would love it for anyone to relate however that happens for them.

INFRARED MAG: Your music has been described as a mix of indie rock, psych-rock, and folk. Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how do they shape your sound?

LONNIE WALKER: I love Sliver Jews, Pavement, Hank Williams, The Beatles, Neil Young, The Stooges, The Cure, The Rolling Stones, Tom Verlaine, Gillian Welch, Bone Thugs, Modest Mouse, Magnolia Electric Company, Bobby D, OutKast, Bowie, Cluster, Daniel Johnston, Pixies, Slick Rick, Waylon Jennings and onward. I don’t notice them shaping the sound of my music until afterward.

INFRARED MAG: The song “Pissin’ Off the Scene” has a zippy and rebellious vibe. What was the inspiration behind this track?

LONNIE WALKER: This song is a call to the song “Busy Bold Sounds” that comes after it and is a catchier song but the song “Pissin’ Off the Scene” is about friendly competition within local music scenes and envy that people feel but try to deny among each other.

INFRARED MAG: How has your approach to songwriting evolved since your previous albums, ‘These Times Old Times’ and ‘Earth Canals’?

LONNIE WALKER: I don’t really know. I just keep at the practice of it. I guess I notice more that it comes not from me exactly but that I should act as an antenna and stay open to what may arise. It’s my job to be ready when that happens though. To stop what I’m doing, excuse myself to focus and record the idea so that it can make sense. That can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but it is worth it.

INFRARED MAG: The album features contributions from various musicians. Can you tell us about these collaborations and how they enhanced the overall sound of the record?

LONNIE WALKER: My friend Kate Rhudy played fiddle on a few of the tracks and also lent her voice to a few. I think she really shines on those parts and I’m really grateful for it. Same with my friend John Wollaber from the band Jenny Besetzt. Him and Kate really fill out the chorus of the song “Basement of Love” so damn well. John Mitchell added a synth drone to “Busy Bold Sounds” which is one of those sounds that you would notice if you took it out but is more texture than presence. I have a blast getting other people involved and excited to contribute.

INFRARED MAG: You have an album release show, and several tour dates lined up. What can fans expect from your live performances?

LONNIE WALKER: I have a blast playing live. If the energy is there and us and the crowd can connect as one, then that is just the greatest thing.

INFRARED MAG: How has the music scene in Raleigh and the broader Carolina area influenced your music and career?

LONNIE WALKER: Well, there is a bunch of great stuff coming out of NC right now and it has a deep and rich history of DIY labels, venues and ethic. I’m really lucky to be from here. I live in Raleigh. Durham and Chapel Hill are roughly 30 minutes away. Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill is like the tri-force! I often take for granted how it’s just a hop, skip, and jump to get from one mini scene to the other! It’s a beautiful thing and a lot of other cities don’t have that ability. Asheville has been blooming as of recently with a slew of wonderful music. I really love it there! Even Wilmington and Greensboro have got their thing going on.
Our label Sleepy Cat Records is based out of Carrboro, which is close to Chapel Hill.

INFRARED MAG: With the pandemic affecting the music industry, how did you navigate the challenges of recording and releasing new music during this time?

LONNIE WALKER: As far as recording went, it really wasn’t a big issue because luckily none of got sick while we were engaged in the process. We tried our best to be safe while playing live. The biggest thing I’ve noticed is that there seems to have been a shift in the time shows start now and the length of time people will stay out. Maybe it’s a good thing but people seem to be more homebodies than ever before.

INFRARED MAG: Your song “Funny Feelin’” portrays opiate withdrawal vividly. How do you channel such intense emotions into your music?

LONNIE WALKER: I just try to remember that if it feels uncomfortable then that can be a good barometer telling you that it’s a direction to explore and not always a reason to turn away.

INFRARED MAG: “Busy Bold Sounds” has a melodic and low-key vibe. How do you balance restraint and urgency in your songwriting?

LONNIE WALKER: I guess I try to remember that dynamics in a song can take something that starts very simple and turn it into something engaging and interesting.

INFRARED MAG: The cover art for ‘Easy Easy Easy Easy’ is striking. Can you tell us about its creation and how it complements the album’s themes?

LONNIE WALKER: I knew that I wanted the main colors to be tan and olive green. For some reason I just saw that while we were recording the album. I also knew I wanted it to have a “rough” look to it and for the mistakes to be apparent. I believe that’s because it matched the method in which we recorded it live to tape. Derek Wycoff designed the layout, Kendall Bailey made the photos, and I contributed a bunch of the drawings and the Lonnie Walker drip title.

INFRARED MAG: You’ve been through a lot as a band. How do you stay motivated and continue to create music despite the challenges?

LONNIE WALKER: One day at a time!

INFRARED MAG: What advice would you give to other musicians who are struggling with personal challenges and setbacks?

LONNIE WALKER: One day at a time! No, really, I guess I’d like to be a lesson in perseverance. I don’t know where this all will take me, but I would like to encourage anyone struggling to keep standing up when they fall and even better to grab that person or persons hand to help you back up! I really needed help and didn’t do it alone! I still don’t do it alone.

INFRARED MAG: Finally, what message would you like to share with your fans and supporters as you embark on this new chapter with ‘Easy Easy Easy Easy’?

LONNIE WALKER: I feel honored and relieved to have been able to share this with the world. I hope you connect to it. I hope that you feel the hurt in it. I hope that you feel the joy, the humor. I hope that it sticks with you in a good way. An inspiring way. What I notice about my favorite songs is that I feel inspired. Like I need to get to work on something meaningful. I hope that this album feels meaningful to you.

As LONNIE WALKER embark on a new chapter, ‘Easy Easy Easy Easy‘ serves as both a testament to survival and a celebration of the power of music to heal and connect. With its blend of raw emotion and captivating melodies, the album is a powerful reminder of the resilience required to overcome life’s darkest moments. For Corum, this record is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a reflection of his personal transformation, offering listeners a chance to find solace and inspiration in his story.

With a series of tour dates lined up and the continued support of their loyal fanbase, LONNIE WALKER is poised to make a significant impact in the indie music scene once again. As Brian himself says, “I hope that this album feels meaningful to you. I hope you connect with the hurt, the joy, and the humor in it.” Fans of the band are in for a meaningful, transformative experience—both on record and in live performances—as they witness the next evolution of LONNIE WALKER.