Renowned NYC songwriter-producer Charlie Nieland reveals 'Today', a beautifully optimistic and goosebump-triggering hymn of inspiration, which features the iconic Joe McGinty (The Psychedelic Furs, Ryan Adams, Nada Surf, The Loser's Lounge). This is the serene second-last track on his dazzling new (and now acclaimed) album 'Stories From The Borderlines', a personal exploration of themes such as connection and severance.
With sweeping melodies and restless rhythms, the meticulously crafted songs on this album—a geography of intention—are an act of imaginative resistance, passionately mining for light and truth in a darkening world. This immersive journey deservedly led to him being named Artist of the Year by The Manc Review. This is also one of the most profound albums from Nieland, known for his work producing and writing for such artists as Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, Blondie and Scissor Sisters.
"'Today' is a sweeping hymn of loss and acceptance. We’re not wired to practice gratitude. When something comes along and we’re tossed into the dark, we have to choose it. This song was written when I was on the edge of losing someone I love. In that moment, I saw the universe slowly turning and the magic forest of the present moment opened up. I wrote it on keyboards and sang it for a livestream. The absence of knowing what was going to happen drew out my devotion to the burning spark of the present and how, if this was it, that would be ok," says Charlie Nieland.
"I loved the song, but as the rest of the album evolved with elaborate arrangements, I knew that 'Today' needed more than just the stark mellotron sounds I’d chosen as accompaniment. I’d been singing with the NYC performance series "The Loser’s Lounge" and decided that it was time to ask musical director (and former Psychedelic Furs keyboardist) Joe McGinty to add something great. He came through with a gorgeous set of melodies and sounds recorded at his studio."
Apart from vocals and guitar, Charlie Nieland contributes Mellotron violins and flute, e-bow guitar and bass. Joe McGinty plays multiple synths (Freeman String Symphonizer, Moog Muse, Oberheim Xpander, RMI Keyboard Computer, Sequential Pro 3, Therevox ET 5, Waldorf Iridium and Yamaha CP35).
Joe McGinty shares “I was excited to work up an arrangement for Charlie’s excellent song. We have many of the same keyboard heroes, and he referenced a specific Jon Anderson and Vangelis collaboration as inspiration. It was a bit of a tall order, but a good excuse to use some of my favorite keyboard instruments, vintage and new, for this arrangement. It was a delight to work on this song."
The video for 'Today', directed by Alex Dar, is a beautiful visual interpretation that is both devastating and somehow hopeful. Using stop-motion animation, Dar captures the interior of this song so perfectly, sharing the world co-created with Nieland and McGinty.
Previewed by 'The Ocean Understands' EP in early 2025 and several standout singles - the epic 'Win' feat. Staten Island rapper spiritchild and 'Shame' with a firecracker video by NYC artists Hypnodoll and Alice Teeple - the new album presents a visceral blend of post punk, glam, dream pop and progressive rock. With reverence for pioneering synth and guitar-driven music, these cinematic soundscapes and poignant songs also involve drummer Billy Loose and guitarist Dan McAssey.
Nieland's decades-long backstory as a writer, performer and producer is extensive. He was awarded a Gold record (UK) for his production work on Blondie's 'Greatest Hits Sight & Sound' and achieved a Top 10 Billboard Dance Chart Position with Debbie Harry's single 'Two Times Blue', which he co-wrote and produced. He scored the feature film 'The Safety of Objects' (with Glenn Close), Showtime's pilot episode of 'The L Word' and the VH-1documentary 'NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell'.
Nieland's debut solo album 'Ice Age' (2014) was followed by 'Hopeful Monsters' (2016) and ‘Divisions' (2021). After 20 years with Her Vanished Grace, he is half of the literature-inspired duo Lusterlit with Susan Hwang, and produces and co-hosts the podcast 'An Embarrassment of Prog'.
The 'Stories From The Borderlines' album is out now and available everywhere digitally, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. Nieland performs next in New York City from February 19th to 21st (7 & 9:30pm) at Joe's Pub for 'Loser's Lounge Presents REM Vs. The Replacements', and on April 12th (5pm) at 503 Social Club (Hoboken, NJ), together with Renee Maskin and Karyn Kuhl.
CREDITS
All songs written by Charlie Nieland, except 'Win' (by Charlie Nieland & spiritchild
)
Charlie Nieland - vocals, 6 and 12 string electric and acoustic and e-bow guitars, lap steel guitar, fretted and fretless electric basses, upright piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Korg MS20 analog synth, virtual Mellotrons and string machines, autoharp, glockenspiel, percussion
Billy Loose - drums
Dan McAssey - guitar on 'Brutalist Monuments' & 'You Fell Down'
spiritchild - Vocals on 'Win'
Joe McGinty - keyboards on 'Today'
Recorded at home and at Saturation Point Studios in Brooklyn, NY
Produced, recorded, mixed & mastered by Charlie Nieland
© 2025 Athame Music, xspiritmentaleyez Music (Win)
Album cover art by Hypnodoll™
Video for 'Today' by Alex Dar
Videos for 'Redshift' and 'Drown' by Hypnodoll™
Video for 'Shame' by Hypnodoll™ and Alice Teeple
Artist photos by Alice Teeple and Bob Krasner
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Keep up with Charlie Nieland
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Soundcloud | Apple Music | Spotify | Press contact
Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | BlueSky | Threads | Soundcloud | LinkedIn | Email
