Multi-platinum selling singer, songwriter and producer, Martin Johnson aka The Night Game returns today with “Do You Think About Us,” featuring Caroline Polachek of Chairlift. The song turns the tables on traditional break-up duets, with Johnson and Polachek delivering an epic modern-day twist, complete with a monster chorus and powerhouse vocals.
The Night Game's Martin Johnson talks of the inspiration behind the song and how the collaboration with Polachek came about: “My junior year of high school I visited a musical theater college in Cincinnati, the same one my girlfriend at the time ended up going to. She went on to meet the love of her life there and they're married now with two beautiful kids. I suppose everyone thinks about the sliding doors. What if we made the train we were supposed to miss? What if I got on that plane and went to school instead of climbing into that dirty 15 passenger van? I’d probably have a few less tattoos. Maybe a little less back pain from touring with an 18 pound Les Paul all those years. Maybe we’d still be together. Probably not. Either way, from time to time, usually when its late or driving home after a failed first date i do wonder... “do you think about us?” We tried a couple different features on this song because believability and vulnerability were both really important. It needed to be the right voice to tell the story. I had been working with a version of the song where I was temped in singing the female part for months when Caroline and I met in Echo Park with a big group of people and became fast friends. We went for a hike the next day and were talking about writing together and I played her the song in my car. She said “I like this. Do you want me to try to sing it?” I suppose it was as simple as that. I’m really grateful to have her a part of it -- shes an incredible vocalist and performer both in the booth and on stage.”
The new song appears on The Night Game’s forthcoming self-titled debut album, dropping September 7 on Vertigo/Interscope Records. The 11-track full-length was produced by Grammy-Award winning François Tétaz and features special guests and collaborators including Polachek, Gotye, and Kirin J Callinan. Fan favorites “The Outfield,” Once In A Lifetime,” “Bad Girls Don’t Cry,” and “American Nights” will also be available on the album. Watch the new vertical video of “American Nights” HERE, featuring exclusive studio footage plus and never-before-seen tour footage.
Starting next month, The Night Game will kick off their upcoming fall tour in Berlin, Germany for the Lollapalooza Festival, closing out the European leg on September 27 at Electrowerkz in London.
Since signing to record label giant Interscope Records in North America, The Night Game has been busy on the road supporting the likes of John Mayer on his sold out arena-tour, as well as headlining sold-out venues across North America and Europe. Earlier this year The Night Game also wrote and features on the title track off Kygo’s latest album, “Kids In Love.” The Night Game has gone on to receive critical praise and amassed a combined 60 million streams worldwide since they first entered the musical arena in 2017.
No stranger to international acclaim, Boston-born Martin Johnson has nine US Top 40 charting singles under his belt, has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide and has written, collaborated and produced hits for the likes of Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Kygo, Avril Lavigne, Jason Derulo, Christina Perri, Gavin Degraw, Elle King, Mike Posner, and many more.
The Night Game – LP Track Listing
1. The Outfield
2. Bad Girls Don’t Cry
3. Once In A Lifetime
4. Do You Think About Us? (feat. Caroline Polachek)
5. The Photograph
6. Sunset On The Beltway
7. American Nights
8. Die A Little
9. Summerland
10. Coffee and Cigarettes
11. Back In The Van
