Singer Lee Small talks about his new solo album THE LAST MAN ON EARTH
Interviewed by: Anders Sandvall
Thanks to Stephan Burmeister at Flying Dolphin Entertainment UG for setting up the interview and to Metalville Records for providing the promo pictures.
Singer Lee Small, also a member of Lionheart (ex-Sweet, Phenomena, ex-Shy etc.) is back with a new solo album called THE LAST MAN ON EARTH. It’s his fifth solo album and the follow-up to CHAMELEON, which was released in 2021. His voice can be heard on no less than forty albums worldwide today and I had the chance to talk to Small about this new album, the recording which took place in three different studios in London, Los Angeles and Texas. We also talked about why he did a duet with Dan Reed (Dan Reed Network, Solo) and why he has so many musicians like Steve Man (MSG, Lionheart), Tommy Denander, Charles Bethhoud, Edu Commato (Geoff Tate) just to name a few who are featured on the album. When I had Mr. Small on the phone, I had to ask him about the current status of Lionheart. If you like melodic rock, this is for you. The info sheet says that this is a melodic rock feast in the classic style of Journey and Toto.
Hi Lee, how are you doing today? Thanks for taking the time making this interview.
Lee- Thanks for having me.
Let’s begin talking about your previous solo album CHAMELEON that was released in 2021, what did the press and fans think of it?
Lee – It was a diversion from my usual style, but I class myself as a musical Chameleon, as there’s so many influences in my singing style.
The fans seemed to like it, it’s actually my best-selling solo album to date!
Is releasing solo albums something you enjoy doing?
Lee – Yes I enjoy releasing solo albums, but I find them mentally hard work as there’s no one to share the load with like in a band release situation.
When did you start to work on material to your brand new album THE LAST MAN ON EARTH? Have you written the material on your own or together with someone?
Lee- I co-wrote the majority of the record with Australian songwriter Sony Stevan, we started writing in late 2021 and finished December 2023.
How would you like to describe what kind of music the album contains and what are the lyrics about?
Lee- It was a deliberate move to make a West Coast AOR record, something I’ve never done as a solo artist.
The song lyrics cover a wide range of subjects on this album.
Did the pandemic put any obstacles your way when it came to creating this new album?
Lee – Not really with this record, it affected me more during writing and recording Chameleon.
I know the album was recorded in London, Los Angeles and in Texas during last year, why record in so many different places in the world?
Lee- The beauty of recording music in this day and age ids that you haven’t all got to be in the same roon to record any more.
I recorded all vocals in London, Sony recorded in LA and Texas, Edu
(Cominato) on drums recorded in Brazil, Steve Mann in Hanover Germany, Tommy Denander is Sweden, Mika Gronholm in Finland, Dan Reed in Prague etc so its actually been recorded all over the World.
“Revolution Road” is a duet where you sing together with Dan Reed (Dan Reed Network, Solo), how was it to work with him and how did he end up on your album?
Lee- It was a huge honour to sing with Dan, I’m a big fan of his work with DRN, I used to go see them live in the 90’s & since they reformed, when we wrote RR, I could hear Dan all over this song, a friend of mine had just worked with him, and put us both in touch with each other, when he heard the song, he loved it, so was so nice to have him on this.
A string of musicians like Tommy Denander, Steve Mann, Sony Stevan and Gergo Bortal plays on the album, how come you chose to feature so many musicians?
Lee- We called in a lot of favors, the whole album is blessed with a wealth of talent, without them all, it wouldn’t be the record it is, I’m grateful to them all.
The Big Unknown [Official Video]
How come you named the album THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, what’s the story behind the name?
Lee – The name came from an old Vincent Price movie, I thought it would give us a lot of scope visually, and it did as Tris Greatrex, embraced this concept with his glorious artwork.
The album contains 13 songs and clocks in on about 53 minutes which makes it a pretty long piece, was it your intention to write a long album?
Lee- Not really, but we felt all the songs were too good to leave off, so we had to do a lot of editing to get them to fit on the vinyl release, and had to leave of the bonus extra song that only features on the cd and digital release.
What are the longest songs “Heaven Sent” (5.09) and “Midnight Rain” (4.02) about?
Lee – “Heaven Sent” is about the afterlife, moving on to the next world.
“Midnight Rain” is about infatuation, when a love interest clicks her fingers, the guy gets in his car and drives hours to see her no matter what hour it is.
The Last Man On Earth (Official Lyric Video)
The info sheet states that THE LAST MAN ON EARTH includes crisp hooks, catchy choruses, outstanding solos and a fat production and has all the ingredients for a future genre classic. That’s fine words indeed, what do you feel when you read it? Is THE LAST MAN ON EARTH a future genre classic?
Lee- It’s very high praise indeed, and quite humbling to read that, I just want people to enjoy and relate to it where they can.
Do you think old hardcore fans of Lee Small are going to like the new album?
Lee- I really hope so, this record is for them, as they discovered me with bands from this genre, so I’m giving them something back with this album I like to think.
CHAMELEON was a reggae-sounding album in the style of UB40, do you like to move across different musical genres?
Lee- Yes, I’m blessed as I don’t think many artists could get away with a change in direction like that, but my fans are there for my voice and style, and whatever I turn my hand to, Its always 100% me.
Your vocals sound amazing on the new album, how do you manage to keep it in such a good shape?
Lee- Thank you for that lovely compliment, I do find it harder the older I get, and think I have to adapt to age, voices change and its how you adapt to it, you have to find different ways to still get the best out your voice, I warm up before singing, and steam at times too.
Silhouettes (Official Lyric Video)
What’s the current status with Lionheart? Any news from the Lionheart camp soon?
Lee- Yes big news, we have a new album nearly complete due this year, a concept album set during WW2 about peace and the effects of war for everyday people, it’s gonna be powerful stuff.
Well, that ends my time with you today. Thanks once again for taking the time making this interview. I wish you all the best in the future and I really hope to see you live on stage in Sweden soon! Do you have any words of wisdom to share with fans and readers?
Lee- Thank you, I’ve really enjoyed chatting with you
I would like to thank everyone for their much-needed support, I really hope you love this album as much as we do as it’s for you guys ..
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