A Dirty Dozen with FLIGHT TO LONDON – November 2025

Photo credit: Tom Korbee

According to a recent press release: “Flight To London, the synth-pop collaboration of Jimmy McGorman and Robb Vallier, are set to release their debut album Instructions For Losing Control tomorrow, November 21 via earthprogram/Virgin Music.  Flight To London was born from a deep obsession with ’80s icons like Tears For Fears, Phil Collins, and Depeche Mode. Their album is a masterclass in New-stalgia. The 10 tracks explore themes of modern relationships, digital-age anxiety, and the peculiar nostalgia we feel for times we may have never actually experienced.  The songs are meticulously crafted, featuring lush harmonies that cascade over vintage synth textures, unexpected key changes that catch listeners off guard, and production that balances analog warmth with digital precision. Flight To London released their debut song “No One’s Forgiven” on September 19. The song hints at the insanity of the current political landscape while channeling the tension of a fractured and divided society, media manipulation, and the fatigue of trying to make sense of it all.” We get Jimmy & Robb to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Jimmy: “Walls” is like a buffet. There is something for everyone. The hook, the groove, the lyrical misdirection, multiple melodies weaving in and out, harmonies and a quasi synth solo. What more could you ask for from a track?

Robb: I agree with Jimmy, It seems like it’s been a while since artists have blended a philosophical or social lyric into a pop track- kinda proud of that. The key changes keep the track feeling fresh and not overly monotonous- we always try to throw a curveball at the listener and I think we did that without making the track feel disjointed.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Jimmy: My entire family is musical and artistic. My father is a singer and piano player. My mother and grandparents were dancers. It’s in my blood. I’ve known I wanted music to be my life since I was 13 years old.

Robb: I was lucky enough to have had a brother two years older who got me into music at nine years old. We then started a band that stayed together for 10 years. In that decade, I got the opportunity to learn, practice and make mistakes in a very supportive and inspired environment. As Jim said, it too, is in my blood…

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Jimmy: I have always loved “smart pop”. Songs with catchy choruses, but with more sophisticated musicality: Stevie Wonder, Michael McDonald, Steely Dan, etc. As a piano player, Billy Joel and Bruce Hornsby were and are still heroes to me.

Robb: Being around older musicians at a young age, I was exposed to progressive music (Rush, Yes, Genesis / Gabriel, King Crimson, Rundgren) that I probably wouldn’t have found by myself. Those albums still are a part of my DNA and definitely showed up on the Flight To London Album, in subconscious ways. When I heard the beginning of 2112 from Rush at nine, my life changed and those artists started me on a wonderful musical path. Though I’m listening to pop / singer songwriter / rock / punk etc. now, those will always be the foundations of how I hear music.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Jimmy: That’s a tough one. As producers, I would love to work with Brain Eno and Daniel Lanois. I also think it would be great to write a song with Roland and Curt from Tears For Fears.

Robb: Jimmy nailed it – I totally agree. Eno / Lanois have a unique approach to music that most producers/musicians don’t – they are pure artists and drawing from that energy would be inspiring. I would love the chance to work with bassist, Tony Levin as well. Maybe some day!

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

Jimmy: I like to watch movies with my daughter and sports with my wife.

Robb: Jimmy is always miffed at my choice to unwind – I like camping and getting into nature with friends and family. I think there is something spiritual and primitively soothing about the dancing of the fire, sound of the trees in the wind… Jimmy and I are both avid football fans, so studio sessions on Sundays can get very distracting for us! Football is one of the only times I can shut off the music and enjoy something completely different.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Jimmy: If Tears For Fears and Scritti Politti had a child, we would resemble them. One person said it was pleasant to listen to – that may be the worst thing anyone has ever said to me. I am not here to make “pleasant” music.

Robb: I would call it intellectual pop or dark synth pop with a modern approach. Or I would say “Just crank the album up in your car – the music might speak to you, it might not!” I have been surprised at all the positive reviews from people that I thought wouldn’t get it – that’s inspiring!

Cover art: Robert Pollard

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Jimmy: We order Door Dash.

Robb: Ha, yes Door Dash… Jimmy can jump on a piano, play some 80’s hits and get me singing! Onces that starts there’s no stopping that train…

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Jimmy: I saw J Lo in an elevator – she smiled at me. (at least I think she did).

Robb: I also ran into J Lo on the LA Streets – I accidentally walked into a video shoot she was doing for Fiat. She turned to me surprised and I said, “You have amazing skin” and she said thank you…

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Jimmy: The best part of being a musician is never having to wear a suit and tie – or put on awful dress shoes. Question #2: Teacher

Robb: The best part to me is spending all of your energy and passion on something you love and is a part of who you are – a desk job just for the sake of paying bills would be a tough pill to swallow for people like Jimmy and me – we’ve tried and it just doesn’t work for us. Question #2, Astronaut, thought I’m terrible at math and scared of heights…

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

Jimmy: How do you get your hair to stick up like that? Answer: it’s a very scientific process that I will never fully reveal.

Robb: Ha, that is a good question! Someone asked us what our warning label would be if we had to wear one – I said, Warning: this human tends to speak very loudly when excited!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Jimmy: Not in my career, but in my personal life – but, the get the answer to that, you have to buy the book!

Robb: I don’t have a specific one but looking back at how naive / immature I was in my 20’s, running around LA, doing music – I’m glad those days are over and I get to take all of this in and appreciate all of this in a healthy, positive way. The 25-year-old me, wouldn’t have enjoyed making this album and promoting it like the adult version has!

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Jimmy: I wouldn’t want to be a part of any session for music that I love, because I very well may screw it up. My favorite records are perfect, exactly the way they are.

Robb: I would have liked to have seen Tears For Fears make The Hurting or Scritti Politti make Cupid & Psyche ’85, but I know how tedious those kinds of sessions can get, so I’ll just go with watching the Beatles record Revolver.

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Category: Interviews