MR: I don ' t think it makes any difference. That was one of the first songs I wrote that wasn ' t autobiographical.
I remember words running a little bit dry at the time and thinking,“ Just invent a situation.” For“ London, Can You Wait,” I imagined I had a brother who killed himself when nobody saw it coming. Looking back at this fictional brother ' s life, that line“ London, can you wait for all the things I ' ve got to say?” is
this brother had a future when he didn ' t. It applies in Kuala Lumpur as much as it does in Mogadishu.
IE: At the Roundhouse, you mentioned dreaming that“ Somewhere in the World” was something that Elvis Presley could sing. MR: Without wanting to sound too pompous, so forgive me,“ Somewhere in the World” felt like a song that could be in the Great
Martin Rossiter of Gene, 2026
American Songbook. It’ s got a quite traditional quality to it. IE: If you could take an Elvis song as your own, what would it be? MR:“ If I Can Dream.” I love a lot of Elvis, but I quite like the sort of bombastic late 60s, early 70s songs when the waistline’ s growing, as is the musical ambition.
IE: You could probably rent a jumpsuit while you’ re in the States. MR: I will definitely do that. Head to toe in rhinestone!
Photo by Jim Mitcham
a piece of dialogue he said. The family is thinking that everything was hopeful, and
Appearing at Bottom Lounge, Chicago on November 16.
Jeff Elbel november 2026 illinoisentertainer. com 29