Local Nomad Turns Awkward Moments and Raw Emotions Into Indie Rock Gold

Photo Credit: Ben Egelson

Singer-songwriter Michael Desmond — who performs under the moniker Local Nomad — has a knack for turning everyday life into songs that hit home. From messy family ties to awkward dating moments to the little joys that keep you going, he makes it all feel tender and sharp at the same time. Working alongside Charleston producer Corey Campbell, he’s pushed his sound into bigger territory — indie rock roots layered with a cinematic sweep. We connected for a proper email chat about the new record, the stories behind it, and finding meaning in the small stuff...

You’re working with Charleston producer Corey Campbell on this project. How did you two connect, and what does he bring to your sound that maybe you weren’t expecting?

Corey is actually my sister’s ex-boyfriend—almost my ex-brother-in-law, you could say—so working together was definitely an integral and intimate experience. He knows me on such a deep level because he was part and still is a huge part of my family.

He really pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and experiment with a raw pop sound, which completely changed my perspective on what a Local Nomad song could be.

He encouraged me to push my boundaries and explore new territory, both musically and personally. That process helped me find my true voice, both sonically and vocally.

This record took about two months of work, spread out over two years. There was a lot of growth between us during that time, and our evolving relationship became a big part of the record itself. It’s a beautiful thing to make music with people and share those moments when you create something special and have a moment when you really nail what you set out to do.

Get Along

“Get Along” is such a powerful father-son story. What’s it like writing something that personal and then having to perform it? Does it hit differently each time?

For a long time, I struggled to get along with my father, only to realize later that we’re actually very much alike. I set out to write a song inspired by “Father and Son” by Cat Stevens, and that’s how “Get Along” was born.

I’ve always loved deeply emotional songs, and this one is no exception.

The original demo was recorded back in 2019 with Rob Ragosta, who’s written for Jelly Roll. For years, it just sat on my phone, but I kept coming back to it, feeling like there was something truly special there. Eventually, I decided to bring it back to life.

Every time I perform this song, I tap into the same emotion, but the lyrics reveal something new with each performance.

You’ve got this nostalgic American sound happening, almost like old indie rock getting warped through time. How did you land on that direction, and what were you listening to that pushed you there?

I’ve always found myself drawn to older music. There was a time when I completely turned away from newer releases and immersed myself in throwback tunes—everything from Chet Baker, Elliott Smith, Neil Young to Jeff Buckley and older Wilco. With this record, I wanted to create an honest reflection of the music that truly inspires me, while blending in some shimmering, new-age production.

Rolling out eight singles with visuals through February is such an ambitious project. How are you keeping each one feeling distinct while still building toward the full album story?

There are 14 tracks on the way, and from the very beginning, I’ve been creating each song with visuals in mind. Every track is part of a bigger vision—music and imagery working together to tell a story.

This whole orchestral concept with lush arrangements but keeping things scrappy — how do you balance making something cinematic without losing that raw, personal feel?

I dig deep within myself, staring into the mirror and fuel my introspection with plenty of coffee. I strive to be completely honest about my feelings, channeling those emotions into my songs. I weave in the influences and musical tastes that are far greater than myself, drawing inspiration from legends like Chet Baker, Cat Stevens, Bach, and Tears for Fears. In a way, all music is meant to be borrowed or reimagined—every artist repurposes what came before them to create something new.

You seem to have this gift for finding the profound in really mundane stuff. When you’re writing, do those bigger emotional moments sneak up on you, or can you feel them building as the song develops?

I’ve always taken pride in embracing and celebrating my flaws. Being true to yourself isn’t easy—and I know not everyone will like me. As someone who’s always felt like an outsider, I enjoy surprising people with humor or keeping them guessing. I observe life closely, listen to the conversations around me, and try to savor the journey every step of the way. I’m always writing songs even when I’m not around a guitar.

What do you hope people experience when they get the full album in March after following this whole rollout journey?

I hope these songs turn listeners into fans who stick around for the journey. I’m committed to keeping the music coming and can’t wait to share even more with you all!

Thanks for this — any final thoughts or shoutouts before we wrap up?

Thanks so much for taking the time to listen and review the music.

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