Luke Middleton and Grant Kemp’s new single “STRANGERS” featuring Engrave
Listen to “STRANGERS” here.
Alternative/indie singer-songwriter Luke Middleton’s newest single “STRANGERS” is the latest addition to Middleton’s ever-growing collection of stories he wants to share with the world. In collaboration with Grant Kemp and Engrave, the song delivers ruthless hooks, massive screams, and gut-wrenching lyrics that showcase the unique elements each artist brings to the table. The heavy track exposes the emotional toll a toxic relationship takes while illustrating the rage it creates within a person.
This type of storytelling is nothing new for Middleton. As a former infantryman for the U.S. Army, he has encountered his share of near-death experiences and loss. Those experiences drive his passion for creating music and he hopes to be a beacon of hope for all of those who are struggling.
Because of the honesty and grit of his story, Middleton has accumulated millions of views across social media. He is quickly rising up in the music industry and is working with some of the industry’s biggest names like Tosh Peterson who has toured with Machine Gun Kelly & jxdn and opened for SK8, a former Taylor Gang artist who has worked with Sum 41 & Sueco.
Evaporated Magazine had the pleasure of interviewing Middleton on the new single.
You’ve said that music is a way for you to tell your story and to help others who have gone through or are currently going through difficult times. What’s the story behind the song “STRANGERS”?
There are many perspectives, some people may interpret the song in regards to a toxic relationship. But the most beautiful part of the song is that it’s from the perspective of three people, myself, Grant Kemp, and Alec Wegmann (lead vocalist of Engrave). For me personally, this song is about the death of the person I used to be dealing with mental health issues, sobriety, and losing a part of myself. Looking back at the person I was before sobriety, it’s hard to recognize who I was, and to me, we will always be strangers. For whoever is listening, no matter what you’ve gone through, or what you’ve done, the person you are today matters more than who you were yesterday.
Can you describe what the creative process was like for this song? Did it start with the lyrics? Did it start with the instrumentals? How did the song develop over time?
This song developed through many phases, and through a transitioning chapter of my life. It originally started as a negative thought that I would never grow from the things I’ve experienced. Through the thought, I turned it into lyrics, which then we produced not knowing who we were going to have a part of this project. I knew this song had to be something bigger than myself.
In the song, you pair a melodic chorus with underlying screaming vocals. Was that a musical composition decision or does that add some sort of extra meaning related to the story of the song?
The underlying screaming vocals I did in the song symbolize anger from the perspective of my old self trying to fight through the many challenges I faced. This is the first song I have really ever screamed on apart from my latest release “Bittersweet”. But this song needed power and with Grant alongside Engrave, I believe we wrote the most gut-wrenching, heart-stopping track of our careers.
Grant Kemp and Engrave were both featured in this song. What was it like collaborating with them?
It was an absolute honor. I started following Engrave after seeing them on TikTok promoting their number one track “Alive.” I remember hearing that song and immediately falling deeper into that genre of the metal core. Eventually, it led to me reaching out to the band and connecting with lead singer Alec Wegmann. After Engrave laid the hook I knew I needed someone else on the song, so I connected with Grant. Through my background as an ex-military and Grants as a first responder, I knew we could go even deeper with the lyrics and emotion behind the track. I could not imagine this song with anyone else and I am beyond blessed to have had the opportunity to work and build relationships with such talented and inspiring people.
You are a huge advocate for mental health and have talked openly about it and how it relates to not only your music but also your personal life and history. How has music helped you with your mental health and how do you hope it helps those who listen to your music?
Music saved my life at a very dark time when I was stationed in upstate New York. It gave me a second chance at life, and all I’ve ever wanted from my music is to touch the hearts of people the way it did for me. Everything that I write and release has been a part of my life where I felt completely alone. Writing songs allowed me to cope in a way that allowed me to release the weight I carried, and to read the things I write. It's almost a sense of healing, and putting these songs out into the world is solely to reach people who struggle with mental health the same way I did. Through my journey of healing and sobriety, the one thing I can say is that everything happens for a reason, and you are not alone.
Are there any artists who currently inspire you?
The artists/bands who have inspired my band the most have been Nothing, nowhere, Dayseeker, and Bring Me The Horizon. The pain behind their healing lyrics and the electric energy that they bring has enabled not only myself, but also my band mates (James Parker, Ryan Kmetz, Daniel Ferguson & Morgan Nelson) a hopeful solitude to our individual lives, and together it’s allowed us to bring our passions in music as one.
If you could ask any artist to do a tour with you, who would you choose and why?
Referencing the question prior, I believe those three, along with Bad Omens, Rain City Drive, and I Prevail would be a dream to work with and the highlight of our careers as a band, and a legacy to carry into the next life.
To learn more about Luke Middleton or to see any upcoming shows, click here.
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