Behind The Tracks: The Midnight Callers - New York Tramp (Single) (2023)

“New York Tramp” is an ode to a dear friend who passed away during the pandemic. He was the living embodiment of New York City. You could be sure to find him at an East Village dive bar on a Monday night, pool cue in one hand, whiskey in another, Lou Reed blasting on the jukebox behind him.

The term “tramp” to me connotes a wanderer, someone always in search of something, and living hard in the process. As I was processing the grief of losing someone I loved, I wanted to write a song that stood as a celebration of his life. Something that captured his energy.

I brought the riff and rough arrangement to the band, which originally captured more of a Rolling Stones vibe. We worked on it over a few sessions, but something wasn’t sitting. It didn’t have the energy I was hearing. I’ve always had a soft spot for 70s riff rock. Thin Lizzy, Sabbath, Zeppelin, Deep Purple, etc. So I sent a demo back to Chris with a more driving beat, and we built it into what you hear on the record today.” (Martin Stubbs)

The Midnight Callers are a New York City power pop band paying tribute to the pioneers of Rock and Roll. Their contributions to the "JEM Records Celebrates" series honor the music of The Beatles, The Who, and The Beach Boys. Their tracks have received regular Sirius XM radio play on Little Steven's Underground Garage and The Beatles Channel.