Greg Lynd and Matt Page have been musical compatriots for many years, from their 1990s albums with the band “Lyrics Vice,” through their more recent duo shows as “Lynd/Page and the 200 Acres.” Now they’ve released their first duo album, the nine-song set “Lime Tree.” UnderMain contributor David T. Miller wanted to know more about the work. Scroll to read David's Q&A and listen to an Eastern Standard interview with Greg and Matt featuring samplings from the new album.
L-R: Greg Lynd and Matt Page
By David T. Miller
Contributing Writer
David Miller: Matt, you’re best known for your work with the progressive outfit Dream the Electric Sleep and more recently for your well-received solo album “Apocalypse Garden.” Why an album with Greg now?
Matt Page: Greg and I reconnected during the pandemic, but our partnership as a duo goes all the way back to 1998. We immediately picked right back up where we left off.
DM: Greg, you’re the lead vocalist and I think most of the songs originated with your ideas. You’ve released several singles from “Lime Tree,” including “Dweller at Lime Tree” and “Crown & Anchor.” Tell me about “Dweller” first.
Greg Lynd: At the time, we had demos for the first six songs. I was leaving for vacation and told Matt that I wouldn't return home without the seventh.
I constantly make notes on my phone and laptop, and I came across a file named “Dweller at Lime Tree.” The doc was blank, so I started with a title, and the music and melody quickly followed. It became a song about love, relationships and the struggle to break from patterns. I wanted the song to be uplifting, and Matt nailed the instrumentation and groove.
DM: The record has a big sound, with a lot of stacked vocal harmonies and multiple guitar parts. So, who's doing what on this album? Greg, you’re on the main vocals and acoustic guitar and Matt’s surrounding that with guitar, bass, keys and background vocals?
GL: Matt is an incredible musician, vocalist, songwriter and producer. I handle lead vocals and the occasional acoustic guitar track and everything else is Matt. I can bring anything into the studio. Songs start on an acoustic and Matt takes it from there.
DM: The record is very melodic and has an acoustic feel at its base but doesn’t shy away from the kind of tempo and texture changes you might find in a progressive rock album. I hear a lot of Peter Gabriel and Todd Rundgren but filtered through Americana and ’90s indie rock. If you had to compare the sound to other bands or styles, what do you hear as its main influences?
GL: Matt and I were a part of Lexington’s ’90s. The ’90s indie influence is definitely present … along with a mix of the ’60s and ’70s music that we love. Our songs are a mutt blend of genres and eras of music.
DM: Matt, you produced the album as well as play and sing on it. What’s it like wearing both those hats? How do you stand inside and outside a song at the same time?
MP: When Greg and I got back together, it was really nice because I could step back just a little bit because Greg has a beautiful voice and a wonderful way of writing songs that inspire me as a player and a musician. So, he would come in with all the lyrics, the melodies, you know, the chord progressions and say, okay, Matt, here's this thing I'm working on. And then I would sort of build it out from there. And we would talk about it and how we wanted to add to it and arrange it. But I think of them as like Greg plants the seeds and then we sort of grow it together.
DM: Both of you are credited with writing the songs, but Greg you’re the credited lyricist. Do you start from a full set of lyrics and then put them to music, or do melodic ideas and lyrics come to you as a package?
GL: Some of the “Lime Tree” songs started with music, and others were initiated with lyrics or a melody. Inspiration is everywhere. I keep my eyes and ears open and take good notes. The hope is that some of it can eventually become a song.
DM: How has your songwriting evolved since Lyrics Vice?
GL: I believe I’ve matured as a songwriter. I was young during the Lyrics Vice years, and I have no doubt that the genre of the time influenced my writing. Now, with the perspective that comes from having a family, a career, and years of life experiences, there’s more freedom in the creative process. I’m more reflective, and at times, get more personal during the writing process.
DM: Matt, for you, what’s it been like working with Greg again? And how does it differ from your work together “back in the day?”
MP: Often with a creative project you envision a sound or maybe think there's something specific you're going for. But early on with Greg, we were talking and I said, listen, bring in anything and everything. We can make anything a song. I'll make anything into a song with you. And so that's kind of been our mantra, which is why I think maybe this first album — you talk about a song like “Patrick Murphy” and then a song like “Dweller” and a song like “Strays,” they're all really different, different approaches without really any fear or predetermined direction.
DM: So, what holds the songs together?
MP: I think the unifying force there is Greg's spirit and his great voice. For me as an artist it’s been really exciting coming to this project from others where we had a very specific vision. This one is very open.
DM: Matt mentioned “Patrick Murphy.” It’s a bit of a departure from the other songs on the record and features guest artist Robert O’Connor on Uilleann pipes and tin whistle. The song tells quite a story.
GL: I'm a proud Kentuckian with deep Irish roots — I was born in Ashland, Kentucky and my family on both sides immigrated from Ireland. Irish culture has always been close to my heart, especially the music. I always wanted to write an Irish pub song — something that people could sing along with over a pint or two — but I wanted it to feel authentic.
A few years back, I read an incredible story about Patrick Murphy from Castletownbere, Ireland. Before the tragic Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Navy had been conducting military exercises about 150 miles off Ireland’s coast — waters traditionally used by Irish fishermen. When diplomacy failed, Patrick gathered a few fellow fishermen and ventured out to confront the fleet. After speaking directly with the Russian commanding officer, the navy ships eventually turned back and disappeared over the horizon. I felt I had to share Patrick’s story.
DM: Matt, you recorded the album at the studio you built recently on your farm, Elk Hill Studio. How did working at your own studio change how you approach recording?
MP: Time… lots more time! From a production standpoint, working in your personal studio gives you the time to add depth and really chase ideas down. It also means you have time to add then edit repeatedly. After making “Apocalypse Garden,” I wanted to try and apply some of those creative iterative processes to another project and “Lime Tree” was a great opportunity for it.
DM: There was a long period between your work with Lyrics Vice and the new recordings. Why so long? Were you both making music during that time?
MP: I continued making music in the band Dream the Electric Sleep, but I always hoped Greg and I could find our way back to creating again. We have a great collaborative synergy, and I wanted to see where that would go. I am very pleased that’s happening now!
GL: I took a long break from music after Lyrics Vice. I met my wife, started a family and I pursued a career outside of music. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until Matt and I reconnected in 2022. I’m very lucky to be making music again with my brother.
DM: You’re already deep into recording a second duo album together?
GL: We're getting close to wrapping up the initial demos for the second album. I’ve been cutting tracks at home and bringing those into the studio. We’re also adding session players, including Tom Martin on keys, and my son Jesse on brass. I’ve never written with piano or horns in mind, so Tom and Jesse have played pivotal roles in the feel of the next album.
DM: Where can readers find Lynd/Page?
MP: The usual social media places like Facebook and Instagram, as well as Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.
DM: Any upcoming duo acoustic shows?
MP: Nothing yet, but we are itching to get out there! I think we are mostly focused on getting music written and released so that when it’s time to gear up the live show side of things, we have a nice catalog to choose from.
GL: There’s nothing on the books, but I am excited to share songs from “Lime Tree” and the next album in a live setting. Until then, we’ll continue writing and recording.