Ramblerman Releases Powerful New Track “Lemonade (Charity Release)” and Shares the Story Behind the Music
- STAFF
- Aug 30
- 10 min read
By: Staff
“Lemonade (Charity Release)” is a stunning, deeply moving anthem of resilience, compassion, and raw emotion.
Ramblerman, the artist whose raw emotion and sonic depth have captivated listeners, is back with a track that is both hauntingly personal and inspiring, “Lemonade (Charity Release).” This new single unveils a chapter from the artist's life many thought would remain in the shadows. What started as a deeply personal reflection on depression and the cyclical nature of rumination has transformed into a beacon of hope, resilience, and healing.
We spoke with the mind behind the music to get an intimate glimpse into the process of turning struggle into song, and how this track has become a tool for both personal release and collective support. It wasn’t just the vulnerability of the lyrics or the haunting rhythms that make “Lemonade (Charity Release)” stand out; it's the powerful message of persistence, the desire to help others, and the unwavering belief that music can be a force for change.
The song's release comes with an incredibly important mission: all proceeds will go to Beyond Blue and the Black Dog Institute, two organizations dedicated to supporting those living with depression and anxiety. Ramblerman's journey from a personal dark period to a musical statement that raises awareness for mental health is one worth hearing.
Dive deeper into the story behind “Lemonade (Charity Release)” as we explore what led to its creation, the significance of its charitable impact, and the future of the artist's evolving sound.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Ramblerman, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. We loved “Lemonade (Charity Release).” The thunderous rhythmic opening was captivating, and the slow burn of the lyrics with the guitar interplay kept us on the edge of our seats. The true standout of the song, though, is your amazing vocal performance. The soaring notes and beautiful tone were truly mesmerizing. When did you first realize the power of your voice and musical creativity? What moment transformed it from a personal, intimate expression to a tool for sharing your story with the world, ultimately laying the foundation for the impactful career we see today?
A. Thank you, that’s really encouraging to hear. Honestly, I just hear every note I sang poorly and every mistake I made, so it’s kind to hear it described like that. I never really thought of my voice as powerful — it’s always just been the quickest way to get what’s inside my head out into the world. I think the moment it shifted from private to public was when I realised songs I wrote to survive my own feelings were actually connecting with other people. It’s been encouraging to see good responses to the few songs I’ve put out so far.
Q. Since “Lemonade (Charity Release)” is about confronting difficult emotions, how do you view society’s shift toward more open conversations about mental health, and how does your music contribute to that change?
A. I think people are more open to talking about mental health now — especially younger generations. When I was growing up, depression and anxiety weren’t things you talked a lot about; I certainly kept how I was feeling to myself. I think I’m finding through music a way to say the things I have trouble speaking about in normal conversation, and music is a space that encourages vulnerability and honesty. I’ve found that more so than in other creative fields, at least for me.
Q. You almost didn’t release “Lemonade (Charity Release)” due to its personal connection to a dark time. What made you decide to share it, and how did letting go of it change your view of that period in your life?
A. Yeah, I sat on the song for a couple of years, but I actually do that with a lot of songs — I record them mostly just to get ideas out of my head, and sometimes that’s all I need. Other times I just don’t think the songs are good enough, so I hold onto them. With ‘Lemonade’ in particular, I wrote it in a dark and desperate time (alongside a lot of other songs), and it gave me the relief I needed at the time. But I was desperately trying to improve my mental health, be happier and therefore write happier songs — and I’m glad to say I was, because in the 12 months following first recording the demo of ‘Lemonade’ I’d moved onto writing (somewhat happier) songs. My songs ‘I Got Love’ and ‘Bridge Builder’ were written in the months following writing ‘Lemonade’.
My audio engineer and producer, Guy Lilleyman at Amberly Studios, encouraged me to persist and to put ‘Lemonade’ out. We returned to it a number of times. Following the release of my first two songs, and the reception they got from friends and family, I was able to see the benefit that writing and releasing music into the world was having on my mental health and my connection with people. I kind of needed the distance of time to see that releasing ‘Lemonade’ could do the same thing. Putting it out as a charity release to raise awareness and money for mental health was a deal I had to strike with myself to encourage me to follow through.
Q. “Lemonade (Charity Release)” captures the cyclical nature of depression and rumination. How did you manage to turn such raw emotions into a song that still offers hope and resilience?
A. I’m pretty prone to rumination and circling negative thoughts, so the lyrics came pretty easily — it’s just how I was feeling in the moment. The song came out almost in one stream of consciousness one morning. I didn’t sit down to write “a hopeful song” — I was just trying to capture and get out how I was feeling.
I think depression can kind of do this: the walls narrow in and squeeze you, things feel hopeless, but your focus can narrow to just trying to survive. You reach desperately forward, trying to clutch at something. I really hope people can find a little hope in the song, but mostly it’s about persisting — holding onto whatever strength you can find in yourself and trying again.
Q. What was it like, emotionally and creatively, when you finally embraced the idea of releasing “Lemonade (Charity Release)”? What role did Guy Lilleyman play in that?
A. It was a strange relief. At some point you have to separate yourself from a song and let it belong to others. I could only convince myself to release it by framing it as a charity release — that way, at least it might do some good in the world. Guy really made that possible. He was patient with me, and he believed in the track long after I’d given up on it. Without him, it would still be sitting on a hard drive.
Q. You’ve described the song as about persistence and resilience. When you wrote it, did you anticipate it would inspire others, or did that realization come later?
A. I’m not sure if it has. It’s gotten some good repeat plays on Spotify and adds to playlists, so I can at least see that it’s resonating with some people. If it were to inspire anyone, I hope it might be to be a little more open and honest with themselves, and with people they trust, about how they are feeling — especially when feeling sad. Happiness isn’t something I think can be found by desperately wanting it, but by being honest you connect more genuinely and deeply with other people. By bringing things into the light they can begin to heal, and those things can combine to bring some sense of happiness.
Q. With “Lemonade (Charity Release)” supporting Beyond Blue and the Black Dog Institute, how do you think music can raise awareness for mental health and provide tangible support?
A. Songs are ways of sharing ideas and emotions. A quote from a songwriter — I can't quite remember who, but it's stuck with me — goes: “If, as a songwriter, you can make someone else feel less alone, you’ve done your job.” I think about that a lot when I’m writing. People connect deeply with music — I have songs that, when I listen to them, take me straight back to a place or time in my life, with all the feelings that came with it. So yes, music can definitely move people in strong ways. And as songwriters, we have an opportunity to use that power to raise awareness. I don’t think we must always be on soapboxes or centre stage for causes — although great songs have been born that way — but I do feel a responsibility to be honest with myself. In doing so, I think it just makes for better and more impactful songs.
Q. As someone with a diverse creative background in art, design, and music, how do these different outlets influence one another and shape your approach to songwriting?
A. Painting for me has always been raw and intuitive — it’s about the experience more than the product. Architecture, on the other hand, is all about process and structure. Songwriting feels like a combination of those things. I’ve learned to value both patterns and discipline, but also to know when to throw them out and let instinct take over. I think my background helps me switch hats quickly, moving between structured precision and more chaotic freedom when I need or choose to.
Q. Teaching guitar and songwriting is a passion for you. How does working with others to find their voice impact your own creative journey?
A. Teaching and co-writing with songwriters and students is the best part of my week. Co-writing is basically therapy for both of us — people bring their experiences to the table, we talk honestly and songs emerge from that. I spend a lot of time in my own head, so getting out and connecting with someone through songwriting is energising. You don’t need to be labelled “a songwriter” to write a song — you just need to be willing to open your heart. Seeing someone discover that and create something they wouldn’t have thought they could, and seeing them gain confidence through that, is incredibly rewarding.
Q. Releasing “Lemonade (Charity Release)” was a way for you to let go of the past. Do you feel that sharing the song helped you move forward?
A. Definitely. Writing Lemonade — just sitting down and writing it — helped me process and move on from certain emotions. And yeah, letting this one go — just like any song I record and release — lets me mentally and creatively move on to new things. So it has, and I am.
Q. What role did Guy Lilleyman’s support play in your decision to release this deeply personal track, and how does it influence your view on collaboration?
A. I love collaboration. In design, things usually only come together through sharing ideas and getting feedback. Some things I like to control, but working with Guy showed me how much value can come from people who have skills you don’t. I might teach guitar, but I’m not a great guitarist; my lessons are foundational, while Guy is a multi-instrumentalist — watching how quickly he moves things around in his DAW makes me dizzy. For Lemonade, I brought four chords, a melody, and a page of lyrics. He built everything else around it — the groove, the bass, the arrangement. Most of the sound was worked out in the first 30 minutes after I played it to him. We then spent the next 18 months dipping in and out of small tweaks, but that initial spark came so quickly. I just let him lead, gave feedback, and got out of the way. I like working that way. Sometimes I want control, but collaboration keeps everything exciting and fresh for me, too.
Q. Sharing vulnerable emotions can be daunting. Does connecting with your audience through songs like “Lemonade (Charity Release)” help or hinder your healing process?
A. I think it helps. I don’t perform publicly much so the only “audience” I really know is usually close friends or people who reach out online — and I have absolute respect and appeciation for anyone who takes the time to listen on spotify but when I write, I’m not thinking about an ’audience’ in a big way— I’m just trying to be honest with myself and write songs I want to hear. And the more honest I can be with myself the more I’m finding myself able to process certain emotions and heal certain things..
Q. Do you ever worry about how deeply personal songs will be received? Or do you find that sharing them with the world is a form of freedom?
A. I definitely have worried — especially with songs about depression — and that worry is part of why I sat on Lemonade for so long. But I think it’s important to respect the intelligence and resilience of listeners. I also believe people going through dark times are stronger than a lot of people might give them credit for. I can only hope that Lemonade resonates with people in the right way and helps those feeling similar ways to feel a little more seen.
Q. . What advice would you give to someone struggling with their mental health, who might not yet have the courage to speak out or share their emotions?
A. I’d ask them to keep holding on, and to try to find the strength to open their heart to someone they trust. If that feels impossible, there are fantastic organisations (like Beyond Blue and Black Dog Institute) that can connect you to support. You’re not alone in your feelings, even when it feels like you are.
Q. What do you hope listeners will take away from “Lemonade (Charity Release)” in terms of both its message and charitable impact?
A. I hope some people who are lucky enough to have not experienced depression might get some insight into it through the song and I hope the song might help connect some people with organisations that can offer assistance if they need it. For those that are in a dark place I’d hope they find some encouragement through the song to also speak up about how they are feeling and ask for help as well as recognising that a lot of the strength it takes to keep going and get through has to come from within. Most people never have to experience the sheer effort it takes just to hold on — but for those who do, I hope Lemonade gives them some recognition and relief.
Q. Ramblerman, we can't thank you enough for sharing these intimate details! So, what's next? Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We'd love to be the first to share the news!
A. I’ve got new songs on the way over the next twelve months, but right now I’m writing more than I’m recording. I plan to release another song in a couple of months — another track I’ve held onto a little too long. It’s about anxiety, and like Lemonade, it’ll be a charity release and fundraiser. Longer term, I’m working on a collection of songs that might become an album, but realistically it may end up as a five- or six-song EP sometime next year.
Ramblerman, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Ramblerman’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
