Semler’s New Single “Same Lover" Marks The Start of a New Chapter
Semler Photographed by Molly Adams @mollyomagic
It’s been two and a half years since we last caught up with Semler and we had so much talk about. During our last meeting, 2021-Semler showed the signs of a new artist. The passion, the drive, and the personality may remain, but the 2023 Semler in front of me (sitting in the same room, in the same chair) no longer had the surprise of a new artist in their eyes. Gone are the days of feeling like they’d stumbled their way into the industry. No, Semler has arrived, y’all.
After weathering pandemic-era lockdowns and cultivating an “exvangelical” community on social media, the Christian music icon exploded. Since 2021, Semler has released numerous singles and the EP “Stages of a Breakdown” (which is a must-listen). Now, their new single “Same Lover” comes out as an explosive new chapter for the artist, kicking off the run-up to another EP, a tour, and even an album. The single showcases the evolution of their sound, as well as the growth Semler’s had as an artist. That growth was evident in the calm and joy exuding from the computer screen when we sat down to chat again.
I had to listen to the song twice, and I encourage you to do the same. The first listen will bring you sweet, familiar sounds of classic 1980s pop. “Think Stranger Things,” Semler offers. You’ll be wrapped up in the synthy, boppy sound, wondering how you’re having this experience with a Christian artist. Once you’ve listened once, go back and take in the words. Let them take you back to the experience we’ve all had. The juxtaposition of the dancey backtrack with the somber true words creates an experience that will stick with you throughout the day, maybe even the week.
So what’s changed? Where have you been since we last spoke in 2021?
It’s been so weird, the TikTok doors were really thrown open for Preacher’s Kid and Late Bloomer through the exvangelical community. Those projects were such overshares, the thoughts that led to them so personal and sometimes I’m shocked about how I processed my own religious trauma so publicly. I’ve always written about everything, it’s how my brain (mercifully) processes things. I’m like a Willy Wonka-style song machine, I’ll just want to take a shower and my brain is like, “How about a song about this, though?” I think about songs like Bethlehem and realize I put what was, essentially, a diary entry out to the whole world. The reception was shocking, I felt so held and supported as I stumbled through things. Listeners told me they understood me, that they were making sense of the confusion - they told me I was alright. What excites me now is the new sense of stability and process I feel with some emotional maturity I’ve gained since the time I was unraveling everything.
I’ve been able to sit with the thoughts and experiences and I’m looking forward to hearing how it comes out through my new music. Preacher’s Kid and Late Bloomer were almost like the aftermath of a poisoning, I had to get them out of my system. But now, we’re not locked down, I’m constantly sitting with my thoughts, I’ve been able to get out and tour, and I think you can really hear it reflected in my music thematically and musically. Sometimes I remember how far I’ve come on this growth journey because I listen back and think, “Holy shit was I going through it.”
What has this community you’ve built meant to you?
I take a lot of pride and care in curating live shows because it was such a dream of mine when putting out music. The kind of environment you want to cultivate and the type of crowd yo want to bring in is so important. It’s an honor to perform for people that come in to check out and be themselves, be care free for a few hours. You don’t know what everyone else has going on, but in that moment during the show, we’re all on the same page. I take care in building that set and I make sure to tell people we’re going to tap into religious trauma, but at the end of the day, we’re going to sing and turn up the rock ’n’ roll. I actually structure it that way literally so that if a song or theme is triggering for someone, they can step out for a smoke, a drink, or some air. Then when they hear us throwing down, they know it’s time to come back in. It’s such a privilege to entertain people this way and to bring these songs to life. To receive the energy back from the room - it’s the best.
You just put out Same Lover. What does it mean? How did it come about?
We did an east coast tour in January and an old friend of my mine came to a show. During that time, I was processing a particularly difficult friend breakup. The only reason I know this person is because she and I went through the same friend breakup with the same person for the same reason. During that particular time earlier this year, I was actually working through that experience, processing it. We got together while I was in town and had a great time catching up and to talk with someone who understood what I was processing. As we were talking I realized, wow, I hate that the reason we even know each other is because of this friend who was “born again” and pushed us away. I found myself wishing the reason we got to know each other was beyond church hurt or family rejection or gender dysphoria. But that’s what brought us together, this shared person and this shared trauma.
So in this song, that’s the “lover,” I’m talking about - of course my brain has to make things romantic. They may not be a literal lover, but I think it’s poetic. There have been relationships that contain plenty of love and I think those of us who have been through any kind of breakup can understand the bond we all have over this trauma.
Semler by @mollyomagic
What did the production process for “Same Lover” look like?
I wrote it on the road, while we were literally driving. At any given point, one of my bandmates has the aux and will play whatever strikes them. Someone was playing some really cinematic 1980s dreamy pop rock - that was what was in my ear when I was writing this. It’s timeless too, that sound - just like the timelessness of messy, traumatic relationships. See? It was all meant to be. So, I wanted the instrumentation to reflect that sound. I played my team some reference songs and we recorded the guitar in the studio before we added the drums. We decided to wait until the bridge for the drums because it just feels so familiar when we really kick you in the teeth on the bridge. Most importantly, though, this sound should also show listeners that we are embarking on some brave new Semler territory. I love it.
What is your favorite line in the song?
I haven’t actually talked about this yet because the person who sparked this whole song will definitely know this is about our conversation when they hear it! The line is “I never got to see your tattoo because we met after you had it removed.” Oh, they’re gonna know - they’re gonna know!
Anyway, another favorite is, “I wish I had more in common with you than our trauma,” because it’s so true. I say it with so much affection because I do wish for that with so many people.
Beyond the meaning, though, we loved the way it was delivered too, the lyrical pacing of it is so good. Tough for TikTok, but great for a song! Of course, I relate to that line so much too.
What’s after this? It seems like this single is kicking off a lot.
There is going to be an EP in July, with another single from that coming in June. Possibly another single too - I’ve got a couple ready to go! I’m really excited about the scope of this music and I’ve been pretty ambitious in the production of this record. I really wanted to challenge myself and showcase what I’ve dreamt about which includes more live music, bigger shows, bigger productions, and just showing that I believe in myself as an artist.
I want to also put out another EP along with a tour in the fall, but after that, it’s time for an album. 2024 is full album mode. I want to give myself a year because I’ve never put out an album before, so I want to do this right and the way I want it done. I love EPs, you get to release frequently - I mean, the inspiration for “Same Lover” happened in January and it’s already coming out in May. Albums, though, those are different.
EPs are exciting, but albums allow artists to share a sort of narrative or cohesion. I get excited about EPs because I can go into the studio and just showcase the energy and headspace I’m in at the moment - whatever comes out, comes out. An album, though, is locking myself away for a month or so to tell a story. I want consistent instrumentation, I want cohesion. I want a journey. “Same Lover” is available for streaming now on all platforms.