Dark Sky Reserve Explores Survival and Solitude on “The Loon And The Fisherman”

Los Angeles alt-country project Dark Sky Reserve explores isolation, survival, and the pull of the natural world on “The Loon And The Fisherman,” a two-song release that marks a new chapter for the recently expanded live band.

Released in April 2026 as part of a series of new material from Dark Sky Reserve, “The Loon And The Fisherman” presents two distinct stories connected by a shared sense of solitude. The release arrives as Dark Sky Reserve continues its return following a period of dormancy, with the project joining forces with local musicians, recording new music, and making its live debut this year.

“The Fisherman” takes the more literary route of the pair. Built around themes of survival, the track carries a slow-burning weight that feels particularly suited to Dark Sky Reserve’s alt-country foundation. Rather than overloading the song, Dark Sky Reserve allows the storytelling to lead, creating a piece that feels patient, weathered, and intentionally restrained.

“The Loon” turns inward. Drawing from personal experiences of isolation and finding comfort in nature, the track explores what happens when being alone becomes less about loneliness and more about refuge. Together, the songs reveal two sides of solitude: one driven by the instinct to survive and another shaped by the search for peace.

For a project that began during quarantine, those ideas feel especially connected to Dark Sky Reserve’s own evolution. After releasing a debut full-length album in 2021 and later stepping away, Dark Sky Reserve has resurfaced with a growing lineup and renewed momentum.

Dark Sky Reserve will continue that next chapter live at Harvard & Stone in Los Angeles on September 27 at 8 p.m. As Dark Sky Reserve puts it simply, the hope is that listeners “dig the songs and tune in for more.”

What made “The Loon And The Fisherman” feel like the right release to introduce this new chapter of Dark Sky Reserve?

There's no real strategy to it. We've been working out a number of songs. I think these are just a couple that developed rather quickly, and we went with it.

“The Fisherman” pulls from literary references to tell a story of survival. What inspired that concept, and how did it develop into the finished track?

I had recently re-read The Old Man And The Sea before a trip to Cuba and wrote the song shortly after returning. I can't really describe how much that experience affected me except to say that a number of songs came out of it. The Ancient Mariner gets its deserts in there as well, and that part I can't explain. It just fit.

“The Loon” is rooted in isolation and finding solace in nature. What experiences shaped the song, and has your relationship with solitude changed since writing it?

Solo campouts are one of my favorite things. I think we all are looking for ways to clear our heads, especially these days. Off-grid isolation is the best way I've found to do that. It's been a while, though. I'm definitely overdue.

Dark Sky Reserve began during quarantine, went dormant for a period, and has now evolved into a live band. How has bringing other musicians into the project changed the sound and creative process?

The quarantine record was recorded during the long dark winter, and it sounds like it. It's kinda morose. Haha. We were joking that the record was made, and it only took 4 years before we played our first show. And there was so much new stuff to work on that we didn't even play those songs. A lot changed in that time, and I've loved the process of working stuff out with a band. I think it set us on a path to more outbound material. I've been super grateful for that. It's such a blast to collaborate with kindred spirits.

With new music out and Dark Sky Reserve now playing live, what does this next era of the project look like for you?

Well, the future is unknown, right? I really wanted to set up a project that I could develop over time with a revolving door of musicians. I don't know what's next. But it's a lifeblood thing. I'm incessantly writing songs. We have plans to record coming up, so I'm looking forward to that.