Feature: The Last Gatsby Decodes “Life Lessons”
What was the creative process like for this particular single?
Jonathan Hoopes (drummer): Yes! We originally wrote and recorded this song in 2015. At the time Josh, our lead singer was going through several things personally and wrote this song as a way to cope and to focus forward. It was a really collaborative effort from each member from a writing standpoint, but lyrically this was driven from a Josh’s personal story. The song was originally recorded locally but it wasn’t something that we were 100% pleased with. As such, we decided to table it and revisit in our third album, which unfortunately never happened.
Were there any challenges or breakthrough moments during the songwriting process for "Life Lessons?"
In 2018, our lead singer, Josh Paul, was diagnosed with oligodendroglioma, a rare form of brain cancer. This dramatically affected all of us. We weren’t able to continue writing the same way and for all of us, it was important to take time to heal while he battled through this. He had two successful surgeries to remove the cancer, but this form of cancer will return. Earlier this year, after sitting on this song for so long, Josh said that given everything that had happened, we should release the song. The song wasn’t where we wanted it to be, so we decided to rerecord the song and have it remastered and release it once more. In June 2024, Josh’s cancer came back for a third time. This makes this release more important than ever.
Were there any memorable or standout moments during the recording sessions for this song?
Yeah, the remastering and rerecording of the song was really amazing. We pushed ourselves hard to make this sound as big as possible, trying some new recording techniques. These were some of Josh’s best vocals, especially his screams were excellent.
Are there any specific themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music?
“Life Lessons” is a deeply personal song that reflects on the challenges we face and the strength it takes to overcome them. It speaks to the inevitability of hardships but emphasizes growth, resilience, and self-discovery through those experiences. The lyrics weave a narrative of finding hope in dark times and learning to embrace life's struggles as part of the journey. Ultimately, “Life Lessons” serves as a reminder that, even in our lowest moments, there are valuable lessons to be gained, making us stronger and more determined to keep pushing forward.
As a whole our music has always been centered around trial and triumph over life’s difficulties. We hope to connect with all of our fans who are struggling in the shadows, giving them a voice and a way to cope and overcome.
Can you share a valuable lesson or piece of advice that you have learned along your musical journey?
Yeah, you know I think the most important lesson I’ve learned about the connective power of music. It’s legitimately been a lifeline for us. It’s been the bond of our friendship that has helped us stay connected through the years. It’s not lost on us the power that music has connecting us and our fans to the human experience.
