Niles Gregory Gibbs Releases New Song "Novocaine" Under Project Name Lonely Eyes
- Mainstream Magazine
- Feb 12, 2020
- 3 min read
Author: Ani Carlson
Concert Photos: Ani Carlson
Niles Gregory Gibbs, former member of Broadside and currently affiliated with Point North, has had a lot on his plate recently. Between his photography, hectic touring schedule, and consistently entertaining Instagram story posts, you wouldn't possibly think he would have time for yet another project. Yet, he's amazed us all. With just a few dates left on the Point North/Belmont/Set It Off/Sleeping With Sirens, Gibbs announced the release date of his single "Novocaine" under his solo project Lonely Eyes.
“Honestly, I can’t really recall when I came up with [the project name].” Gibbs commented. “I’d wanted to do a solo project for years and just never really went through with it until now.”
Gibbs had written "Novocaine" a year prior with long-time friend Nyiko, and has released the single under his label, Trailing Twelve Records.
"Nyiko and I have been very good friends for years now and have collaborated artistically in a handful of ways already in the past." Gibbs told Mainstream. "Nyiko has his own musical project that is also very 80’s pop inspired. I’m normally taking photos of Nyiko for artistic projects or for his musical project. I digress, I’d been thinking about doing my own music project for a good while and when I finally decided to go through with it I thought, 'Who better to work with on it than Nyiko!'."
"Novocaine" distinctly resembles the carefree, synth-pop era of music circa late 1970s through the 80s. It's a gorgeously curated ode to heartbreak and loneliness, something we've all been strung through. The way the verses blend seamlessly with the light and airy chorus almost gives one the sensation of lying on a cloud of cotton candy. It may seem as though I'm over-exaggerating, but this song really gets you in that headspace of wanting nothing more than to ride through the sky with your true love, nothing holding you back. You know that aesthetic of candy hearts, pink pastels, and bright spring flowers? "Novocaine" leaks that vibe. "I’ve been really into the whole 80’s pop / synth pop thing for a while now," Gibbs commented. "and I really just wanted to make a song in that realm really. I think Lonely Eyes will kind of live in that world musically, at least for awhile."
"Novocaine" originated as a byproduct of heartbreak. "[The track is] essentially about the feeling that washes over you when you and a significant other part ways. It’s about feeling numb and not knowing exactly what to do with yourself afterwards and still having that longing for that person." Gibbs expressed.
The entire concept of Gibbs' side project is based around isolation. At the time of his epiphany, Niles wasn’t exactly in the greatest state of mind. “As for the name [of the project], I just remember being lost inside my head (as I often am) I wasn’t in the best headspace at the time, feeling very homesick and a bit detached from others and all of a sudden the name “Lonely Eyes” just kind of came to me. I believe it stemmed from people watching. Seeing family, couples, etc…together. Not even always happy of course. But just seeing those connections. I think it made me feel very lonely at the time. I would constantly be witnessing these relationships and connections through my very own eyes, hence the name.”
As for the future of Lonely Eyes, Gibbs is fairly uncertain. His frenzied and unpredictable agenda, it’s difficult for him to know what exactly is to come. “I honestly don’t imagine it to be very easy to balance [Lonely Eyes] alongside my photography and touring schedule with Point North. I plan on working with Nyiko more to put together even more songs in my downtime between tours. As
of now though, Lonely Eyes will be mostly a side project.” Gibbs stated.
“I will be writing, recording and releasing more music in the future. As of right now I don’t have any plans on playing shows or touring though. That could potentially change in the future. But for now Lonely Eyes is mostly for fun and to have another way of expressing myself creatively.”
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Check out Lonely Eyes’ new single "Novocaine" pretty much anywhere you can listen to music!
LONELY EYES / NILES GREGORY LINKS
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