Atwood Magazine interviews Jeremiah Fraites from The Lumineers about their fifth studio album, ‘Automatic,’ their two-decade journey as a band, and the art of songwriting.
Stream: ‘Automatic’ – The Lumineers
Reaching twenty years as a band is a rare achievement. The Lumineers have not only reached this milestone but done so successfully. After speaking with Jeremiah Fraites, it’s clear that the deep love and passion he and his bandmate share for their music are foundational to their enduring success over the years' ups and downs.
At Atwood Magazine, we've interacted with numerous musicians over the past decade, so we don't make our statements lightly. Listening to Jeremiah share his insights on music was one of the most enchanting experiences we've had. It's evident why The Lumineers have enjoyed such lasting success, and it’s clear that they will continue to create music that resonates with themselves and their audience.
Automatic – The Lumineers
Below, Atwood Magazine connects with Jeremiah Fraites to discuss the creation of the band's fifth studio album, ‘Automatic,’ the magical experiences during its production, and the themes and creative processes behind the record. He elaborates on the enduring partnership within the band, their evolving sound, and their intent to engage their fans while remaining true to their artistic vision.
Automatic is available everywhere now through Dualtone Music Group, and The Lumineers will commence a world tour in April. Don’t miss out on the magic!
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:: stream/purchase Automatic here ::
:: connect with The Lumineers here ::
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A CONVERSATION WITH THE LUMINEERS
Atwood Magazine: Jeremiah, thank you for your time. Let’s get started! You have a knack for crafting complete concept albums. With ‘Automatic,’ there are many strong themes such as “living for the love of yesterday” and “you’re all that I got.” I love how these themes recur throughout, contributing to the album's overall feeling. Can you share your thoughts on the creation process and if these themes were present from the beginning?
Jeremiah Fraites: Songwriting is a strange muse and an intriguing alchemy where ideas emerge in unexpected ways. It’s a blend of intention and spontaneity. Sometimes lyrics just flow out naturally. This year, 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of Wes and my relationship, both personally and as a band. It's a significant milestone. Being in a band for two decades brings its fair share of highs and lows, as any relationship does.
In “You’re All I Got,” the line, “Would you sell me out the first chance you get? You’re all I got” encapsulates that paranoid, anxious feeling that can come with relationships. Yet at the same time, it reflects an immense love and responsibility that each person holds, like being two peas in a pod. This also carries a significant weight and pressure—when it’s good, it’s fantastic, but when issues arise, it can become quite challenging. Many bands break up not because their music declines but due to the complexities of life together. Wes and I have always managed to navigate those challenges, which significantly enriched the lyrical depth of this album.
It's impressive to see how you both consistently choose to work together and make it succeed. It sounds reminiscent of a marriage, isn’t it?
Jeremiah Fraites: Definitely – it is a platonic marriage. I’ve likely spent more time with Wes than with my own wife, and probably the same for him. It was quite intense—starting in Ramsey, New Jersey, moving to Denver and living together for nearly a decade. At one point, we even shared a house, worked at the same Japanese restaurant, and put everything into the band. It was a crazy level of commitment, which I believe is essential when starting a band or business.
And you've managed to maintain that longevity, which is wonderful, especially for us fans. Let's talk about “Asshole”—I love that song! The lyrics are fantastic. Can you elaborate on the writing process for this one?
Jeremiah Fraites: Wes once mentioned that he had people tell him, “Hey, when I met you, I thought you were kind of an asshole, but you turned out to be a good guy.” That sentiment is what he expressed through this song. Interestingly, “Asshole” could have appeared on our fourth album, ‘Brightside.’ The chorus we developed came from a concept for the song “WHERE WE ARE.” I’m glad we held onto it.
“Asshole” evolved from its roots in “WHERE WE ARE.” It began with a busy piano melody that I loved but struggled to write lyrics for initially. Once we shaped it into a song, everything clicked. We envisioned a mood that felt extraordinary and expansive, especially after the chorus when strings make everything fade away. The samples we used feature real strings from recordings long ago, lending an eerie quality. When
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Jeremiah Fraites from The Lumineers talks about their fifth studio album 'Automatic,' what two decades of success as a band entails, and the creative process involved in making a song.