Flights to London: Writing Your Own Rules with Jimmy McGorman & Robb Vallier

In this electrifying episode, songwriting and production legends Jimmy McGorman and Robb Vallier join Greg Hannaand Neil Haley to discuss the launch of their own creative project: Flights to London. After decades writing hits for bands like the Goo Goo Dolls, Weezer, and Sabrina Carpenter, they’ve finally stepped into the spotlight to create a deeply personal and sonically rich album. They talk about creative freedom, the inspirations behind their debut album Instructions for Losing Control, and how letting go of expectations can be the very thing that propels you forward. From studio legends to band founders, this conversation is packed with humor, insight, and honest reflection. How It All Started Jimmy and Robb met at Berklee College of Music in the 90s, reconnected 13 years ago, and finally created Flights to London after an inspiring trip to Napa Valley while producing another band. Why Now? The longtime collaborators realized they were long overdue to create something purely for themselves. “We said, ‘Why are we doing this for everyone else? Let’s do it for us.’” About the Album: Instructions for Losing Control The title reflects a broader message—about letting go of perfection, self-doubt, and other people’s expectations. It’s not about chaos; it’s about freedom. Musical Direction Inspired by 80s bands like Tears for Fears, The Fixx, and Peter Gabriel, they set guardrails to guide the album’s sound, creating a nostalgic but fresh sonic identity they call “modern retro.” Creative Freedom = Real Art Robb and Jimmy share why writing songs without chasing a hit has created their most authentic work to date. “This wasn’t written for an algorithm—it was written for the soul.” Session Legends on the Record The album features performances from elite session musicians: 🎸 John Button (The Who) on bass 🎷 Ben Carr (saxophonist from Australia) 🎤 Charlene (featured vocalist on two tracks) 🎧 Mixed by Dr. Mix (Italy/Spain) 🥁 Contributions from Foo Fighters collaborators A Live Show is Coming Their official album release party + live performance is scheduled for November 22 in Westlake Village, California. “The idea of needing instructions to let go... says a lot about our culture. We’re always chasing control.” — Robb Vallier “It’s better to be done than perfect. We just wanted to make something we truly love.” — Jimmy McGorman “This was written in a vacuum. No label, no timeline, no gatekeepers. Just us.” — Robb Vallier “If you’re feeling amazing, that will pass. If you’re in the dumps, that will pass too. This too shall pass—that’s something I’ve really learned.” — Jimmy McGorman “Let go of trying to force everything. That’s when life changes.” — Robb Vallier ✅ Out Now: 🎵 “No One’s Forgiven” (Lead Single) 🎥 Music Video on YouTube – Featuring surreal, artful puppetry visuals 🔜 Coming Soon: 🎵 “Wall” (Next Single) 🎬 Official video in production now 📀 Full Album Drops: November 21, 2025 – Instructions for Losing Control 📅 Date: November 22, 2025 📍 Location: Westlake Village, CA 🎫 Details: Visit www.flighttolondonmusic.com or follow @flighttolondonmusic on social Robb: “Let go of trying to control everything. If it’s not that important, be a reed in the wind—and your life will change.” Jimmy: “This too shall pass. Ask yourself—will it matter in five years? If not, let it go.” Want more like this? Don’t miss an episode of Celebrity Interviews Live from the Grotto with Greg Hanna. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 🎵 Inside the Episode:💬 Memorable Quotes:🎶 Current & Upcoming Releases:📍 Live Performance:📚 Greg’s Signature Question: What’s the Most Important Lesson in Life?