Lael Neale discusses Altogether Stranger and songwriting

Transmission 200: Interview with Lael Neale

Lael Neale is an American musician and songwriter originally from rural Virginia, now based in Los Angeles. Her work draws on minimal instrumentation, early morning recordings, and an affinity for the Omnichord, which she adopted after being introduced to it by Brian Kehew. Her writing—shaped by a background in English literature and creative writing—combines elements of American gospel, garage rock, and drone pop. Neale’s third full-length album Altogether Stranger, produced with long-time collaborator Guy Blakeslee, was recorded in a domestic setting and completed alongside a 34-minute visual project of the same name.

Title: Altogether Stranger
Artist: Lael Neale
Genres: Experimental Music, Garage Rock, Indie Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Label: Sub Pop Records
Description: Interview with Lael Neale about Altogether Stranger, her Sub Pop release combining minimal recordings and a 34-minute visual film.

The film, written and directed with Blakeslee, features Neale as a mirrored interdimensional being navigating human society, with appearances by Ian Svenonius and choreographer Sandi Denton. The album and film were conceived as a unified work during a concentrated period in Los Angeles. Neale’s lyrical themes often juxtapose isolation and connection, technology and nature, with influences ranging from Joni Mitchell and Dionne Warwick to Spacemen 3. Her 2025 tour includes solo dates, festivals, and performances alongside Beach House, with Altogether Stranger released via Sub Pop.

When did music first feel like something you had to do, not just something to listen to?

I was always singing when I was little & making up little songs when I was playing on my own outside. I never felt like I had to do it. It was more like it was so natural that I just did it. It didn’t really occur to me that I could do it as a career until I learned about people like Joni Mitchell who inspired me because she was a woman & a poet & worked on her own. I never really felt like I wanted to have a band, I just wanted to sing & play an instrument. Very pure, very simple. Her example made me realize it could all be minimal & that I didn’t need anything more than myself to make a song.

Growing up in rural Virginia, what were some of the first sounds that stayed with you?

The sound that stands out strongest is the lush, ambient hum of a summer night. The crickets & frogs & wind through leaves. It’s immensely comforting to me.

Was there a specific album or moment that made you want to start writing songs?

The album Blue by Joni Mitchell was hugely impactful. When I heard it as a teenager it was a revelation. She was writing such personal, honest, vulnerable poetry about her own experience that I began to understand as long as I was honest & true to myself and my experience, I could make a song. I had been listening to The Beatles my whole life, but their level of songwriting craft always made it feel out of reach. It wasn’t until Joni & Neil Young & Bob Dylan came into my consciousness that I realized maybe I could give it a shot.

What were your first steps into music before moving to Los Angeles?

I was studying English Literature in university & taking many creative writing classes. I think that helped me hone my skill with language & gave me a background of great & classic works to pull from in my songwriting. I just practiced a lot & played little coffeehouses through college and into my early 20s when I was living in San Francisco.

How did you come across the Omnichord, and what made you keep using it?

I learned about the Omnichord from my friend, Brian Kehew, when he loaned me his. I was dubious at first because it looked like a children’s toy.  It turns out the toy aspect of it is what’s most compelling to me. It is simple to play & creates these long droning chords. I love the way it pulls a different kind of song out of me. I will keep using it until I get bored of it.

How did you first connect with Guy Blakeslee, and what made that collaboration work?

I connected with Guy when we were both playing around Los Angeles about 10 years ago. He was always supportive to me & would ask me to open for his shows often. He acted as a mentor for me, helping spread the demos I’d made around. Eventually, I was so frustrated with the way my recordings weren’t coming together in the way I hoped and so he offered to produce the group of songs that eventually became Acquainted With Night. The collaboration worked because he gave me the reins to record myself and respected my approach. When I said I wanted it to sound more “megaphone” he honored that strange request instead of saying it wasn’t the “right” way to do it. He trusts me and my ear & that inspired me to trust him completely. We have a really good balance. He brings the songs to another level than I could imagine. Always in a tasteful, sensitive way.

How was recording Altogether Stranger different from your previous albums?

I wrote all the songs in a fairly concentrated period of time & when we committed to the songs we wanted to do (about 15 or so) we spent a couple of weeks recording it quickly in the living room of our home in Los Angeles. The entire album, from the writing all the way to the completion of the album & all accompanying music videos, was created in the year and 1/2 we lived in Los Angeles.

What was the first idea that led to making The Altogether Stranger film? Did the idea come before the album was finished, or did it emerge later?

It was Guy’s idea to create a full film & it came after we had finished the album

Where did the character of the mirrored interdimensional being come from?

The character was inspired mostly by the mirrored suit that I had bought for the “Electricity” music video. It just made so much sense with the concept of myself as an alien being dropped into modern life as a reflector of human society back to itself.

What was it like working with Sandi Denton and the dancers for the film?

I love working with Sandi. She is a brilliant choreographer & really spends a lot of time honing the concept for the dance after I give very loose, light prompts for what the video is about. She just intuitively grasps what I’m envisioning and then takes it beyond what I could imagine. She and her dancers are also friends so it’s always a fun day spent playing together & getting to create something. It’s like my childhood dreams come true.

Is there a central theme or thread that ties the songs on Altogether Stranger together?

It’s about feeling like a stranger in this world, but still finding beauty in it.

Do you already have new songs, visuals, or other projects in mind after this album and film?

I’m on tour now & focusing on this album so I haven’t thought about the future much at all. Everything happens in cycles so I know I will re-enter the creating phase eventually as it’s my favorite aspect of being an artist.

Photos courtesy of Lael Neale

Matteo Damiani

Matteo Damiani is an Italian photographer and author. Curator of the sites Retrofuturista.com; weirditaly.com; china-underground.com and others