Prior to forming The Midnight, Tyler Lyle and Tim McEwan were both established musicians. Lyle was an indie-folk singer-songwriter based in the state of Georgia and gained initial notability with several self-released titles, becoming regionally and nationally known. McEwan was a drummer and producer based in Denmark, later becoming a member of the Danish production group Deekay who has written and produced songs for many popular artists.
The pair met for the first time in 2012 at a songwriter’s workshop in North Hollywood organized by Katie Donovan, Lyle’s A&R representative at the time. Prior to meeting, McEwan had listened to some of Lyle’s previous work and liked Lyle’s folk sound. Despite differing musical backgrounds, they bonded over a mutual love of 80s rock and began to write songs together. After initially struggling to define their sound, McEwan suggested that they compose songs in the synthwave style. McEwan had prior exposure to the burgeoning genre and was inspired by the movie Drive. The first song they wrote together as a duo was WeMoveForward, which was included on their debut EP Days of Thunder.
STYLE AND WORKFLOW
For most of their career, The Midnight has created a strong and distinct synthwave sound in their music - Tim McEwan once described the band's early albums “as if Miami Vice had a baby with a John Hughes movie”. However, McEwan has continuously expressed a desire to evolve the synthwave genre and not be confined by it. Tyler Lyle has stated several times that the band's philosophy when composing is “combine, not confine”. Influences of genres such as lo-fi, soft rock, trance, and vaporwave can be heard on Monsters, and Lyle's musical background has brought influences of indie folk and Americana to the band's sound as well. Regarding the merging of their individual talents and styles, Lyle has said:
It’s rock and roll with synthesizers. Tim has a keen ear for production, and I can write songs that fit comfortably within the tradition of 20th century classic pop songwriting. Somewhere in the middle things get interesting.
McEwan employs various digital synths in his production, including Serum, Diva, TAL-U-NO-LX, Spire, and Roland Cloud's Jupiter 8 and Juno 106. In mid-2020, he mentioned that his favorite synth to use at the time was U-He's emulation of Prophet-5, known as Repro 5. McEwan has stated that he commonly begins with presets and then tweaks them to his liking. KONTAKT is used for sampling.
Both McEwan and Lyle use Logic Pro on macOS as their primary Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).Universal Audio interfaces are used to capture their sounds, which are then processed using UAD plugins. Using the same utilities makes it easier for them to share session files as a significant amount of their work is done remotely, due to living in different areas of the US. However, they will usually get together in the same room a few times during a release's production and will often write and record together while on tour. A release's sound and overall direction are generally created by the two bouncing ideas off each other - McEwan will send Lyle a rough track or beat, which Lyle will then think of lyrics and a title that would go good with the beat, after which McEwan will further build and produce the track. McEwan has stated that the production of a typical The Midnight album takes around three to six months, “from the early gestating part to finish”.
Production and drums are handled by McEwan, with Lyle providing guitar, lyrics, and vocals. Lyle has stated that he writes on a daily basis, and many lyrics come from a large number of fragments he keeps stored in Evernote. Most of the remaining instrumentation is digital, but on occasion songs (including most with saxophone and guitar solos) will at first have digital instruments that are then outsourced to other musicians to play live on the track. Thomas Edinger has been the primary saxophone player for The Midnight's releases, and McEwan's brother Oliver has frequently played bass for the band as well.
For live performances, various setups have been used by the band. Lyle stated that the Spring 2019 tour utilized an Ableton rig, with McEwan using an SPD SX sampling pad and MIDI controller. Lyle ran his guitars through a Kemper profiling amp, and he also used an OP1 for certain synth moments and pads.
Photograph
The Midnight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put it on your bedroom wall
Check on it from time to time
Make sure that you don't lose heart
Take a picture of your life
Frame by frame
Profiles of courage
Name by name
Put a picture of your sadness
Next to one from better days
It's a holy madness
There's holy joy and there's holy pain
You came to bum a smoke
We stayed together as the seasons past
And you left with story
And a shoebox of photographs
Lightning
The cameras are flashing
The moments are passing
The proof of it all
Lightning, petty and tragic
The horror, the magic
Remember it all, all, all
In the song "Photograph" by The Midnight, the lyrics encourage the listener to reflect on their life by using photographs as a metaphor. The first verse emphasizes the importance of capturing moments of one's life and displaying them on the bedroom wall to serve as a reminder of one's journey. By checking on these pictures from time to time, one can ensure that they stay connected to their experiences and do not lose hope or faith in themselves. The imagery of framing one's life "frame by frame" suggests a deliberate and thoughtful consideration of the highs and lows that make up a person's story. The mention of "Profiles of courage" and "Name by name" implies a deep introspection and understanding of one's strengths and vulnerabilities.
The subsequent verse delves deeper into the emotional aspect of life, encouraging the listener to juxtapose pictures of their sadness alongside those from better days. This contrast between dark and light moments is described as a "holy madness," highlighting the profound and sacred nature of the human experience that encompasses both joy and pain. The idea that these contrasting emotions are equally significant and valuable is contemplative and offers a nuanced perspective on the complexity of existence. By acknowledging both the beauty and struggles in life, one can appreciate the depth and richness of their journey.
The narrative shifts to a personal encounter between two individuals who connect over a shared experience of passing time. The interaction is described through the simple act of sharing a cigarette, symbolizing a moment of intimacy and camaraderie amidst the changing seasons. The departure of one person with "a story and a shoebox of photographs" suggests that memories and shared experiences are cherished treasures that we carry with us as we navigate through life's transitions. This depiction of human connection and the significance of memories reinforces the theme of reflection and the power of visual reminders in shaping our identities.
The concluding lines of the song evoke a sense of urgency and transience, likening life to a series of fleeting moments captured by a camera's flash. The repetition of "Lightning" emphasizes the sudden and impactful nature of these moments, both petty and tragic. The duality of "horror" and "magic" encapsulates the unpredictable and often contradictory nature of life experiences. By urging the listener to "Remember it all, all, all," the lyrics underscore the importance of embracing the entirety of one's story, with all its highs and lows, as a means of finding meaning and understanding in the chaos and beauty of existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a picture of your life
Capture the essence of your existence
Put it on your bedroom wall
Display it as a constant reminder
Check on it from time to time
Reflect on your journey periodically
Make sure that you don't lose heart
Ensure you don't lose hope or motivation
Frame by frame
Detail by detail
Profiles of courage
Illustrating acts of bravery
Name by name
Outlined with significance
Put a picture of your sadness
Showcase your moments of despair
Next to one from better days
Contrasting with happier memories
It's a holy madness
A sacred chaos within
There's holy joy and there's holy pain
Both profound happiness and deep sorrow
You came to bum a smoke
You arrived seeking a simple favor
We stayed together as the seasons past
We remained connected through changing times
And you left with story
Departed with a meaningful tale
And a shoebox of photographs
And a collection of memories
Lightning
Sudden and intense
The cameras are flashing
Moments are captured rapidly
The moments are passing
Events are fleeting
The proof of it all
Evidence of existence
Lightning, petty and tragic
Swift and insignificant yet sorrowful
The horror, the magic
Both dreadful and enchanting
Remember it all, all, all
Recall every detail
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Tim McEwan, Tyler Lyle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@myrar1170
LYRICS
Take a picture of your life
Put it on your bedroom wall
Check on it from time to time
Make sure that you don't lose heart
Take a picture of your life
Frame by frame
Profiles of courage
Name by name
Put a picture of your sadness
Next to one from better days
It's a holy madness
There's holy joy and there's holy pain
You came to bum a smoke
We stayed together as the seasons pass
And you left with a story
And a shoebox of photographs
Lightning
The cameras are flashing
The moments are passing
The proof of it all
Lightning
Petty and tragic
The horror
The magic
Remember it all
@gogoda4770
Sometimes I wish this band was more popular. Then I realize that this band is like a secret place, a hidden gem, a place you can go to without the noise of the world to distract you. Like you are fortunate enough to know
@hampsonpaul3531
Well said and long may it continue...
@mtoffo2275
I feel exactly the same way. Thanks for sharing it
@babyboybae5636
Damn I couldn't have said it better myself... True escape to peaceful Meadows... Yes. Yes, it's best kept secret...
@meelishamm2364
Õļõõõõõõ
@Kerath
“The pain I feel now is the happiness I had before. That's the deal.”
― C.S. Lewis
@jacobhero1577
Wake up babe, new Midnight bop drop
@myrar1170
LYRICS
Take a picture of your life
Put it on your bedroom wall
Check on it from time to time
Make sure that you don't lose heart
Take a picture of your life
Frame by frame
Profiles of courage
Name by name
Put a picture of your sadness
Next to one from better days
It's a holy madness
There's holy joy and there's holy pain
You came to bum a smoke
We stayed together as the seasons pass
And you left with a story
And a shoebox of photographs
Lightning
The cameras are flashing
The moments are passing
The proof of it all
Lightning
Petty and tragic
The horror
The magic
Remember it all
@equysis
Thank you!!!!
@tanjiliqbalpranto1159
💖