Local Nomad - Local Nomad & The Soft Rock Orchestra

Local Nomad, the indie pop moniker of  songwriter Michael Desmond, releases his  new album Local Nomad & The Soft Rock Orchestra. Produced in Charleston by Corey Campbell of Babe Club, the record pairs nostalgic storytelling with dry humor and warm, groove driven arrangements.

Blending the warmth of Paul Simon with the inventive pop spirit of Gnarls Barkley, Local Nomad builds a sound around soulful vocals, shimmering synths, breezy acoustic guitars, and a laid back rhythm sections. Desmond first gained attention as the frontman of orchestral indie rock band Gabriel the Marine, touring nationally with artists like Taking Back Sunday, Glassjaw, Mew, Jack’s Mannequin, and The Dear Hunter.

Now working as a solo artist, Desmond channels indie rock energy through a sharp pop lens, drawing inspiration from Spoon, Tears for Fears, Elvis Costello, and Phil Collins. As an independent act, Local Nomad has earned millions of Spotify streams, landed on playlists like The New Alt, and received praise from SPIN, Under the Radar, Flaunt Magazine, and Atwood Magazine. He has also opened for artists including COIN, Joan, The Shadowboxers, Mo Lowda and the Humble, and Johnny Delaware.

Local Nomad & The Soft Rock Orchestra explores nostalgia, humor, and the quiet anxieties of modern Millennial adulthood. Highlights include “I Can’t Get High Anymore,” a reflection on youth and addiction, and “Get Along,” a heartfelt story about the evolving relationship between a father and son. Other songs include “Tinderella,” a look at dating in the app era featuring Desmond’s sister on background vocals, and “Blockbuster,” a nostalgic snapshot of early 2000s New York.

Local Nomad will support the release with Southeast tour dates. See our DISCO for updated itinerary and contact us with any requests!