For fans of The Smashing Pumpkins and Jimmy Eat World, London based punk rockers NIGHTLIFE recently announced the details of their debut album Salt & Acid, due for release on the 24th February 2017. The band’s first EP had somewhat of a pop punk edge to it, cherry picking the best elements of their previous projects but tweaking and developing them further to formulate a new sound. That’s what the band have been doing from the beginning; adapting and evolving their sound by experiences past and present, alongside the shape-shifting behemoth they call punk rock. Nightlife recently headed out on a UK tour last montj to preview their new material in live format.
The band also revealed a brand new lyric video for a track taken from the forthcoming release to give you a taster of what’s to come. You can check out Out of Your Mind below!
We managed to catch up with Nightlife as they talk about the upcoming release, latest tour, fans and more!
So how pumped are you for the release of Salt & Acid?
We are really really excited! A lot of the reviews/feedback for our last EP was along the lines of ‘if only this was a full length’ – so we’re giving the people what they want!
For all of us in the band this is our first album, so quite a proud moment. I think it will really help for people to take us seriously and realise we are fully committed to what we’re trying to do.
Tell us a little bit about the album?
It’s like eating popping candy then downing a shot of whiskey – it’s sweet and melodic at times but has a lot harder rock edge to it than our previous releases.
There’s a real mix of lyrical themes going on. From stuff like being sick of your day job whilst trying to chase your dreams and general disillusionment of the modern music industry, to the nitty gritty bits of relationships and friendships that people tend to write about as much.
What is your favourite song from the release?
My personal favourite is ‘Salt & Acid’ just because it’s a fully stocked riff factory and stays full throttle throughout.
The lyrics talk about being stuck between two uncomfortable extremes in life – being so cautious that you never go anywhere and trying so hard that you’re constantly burned for your efforts. I personally try to push myself towards the latter but we all get caught in a rut sometimes.
How will this be different from previous releases?
It’s more diverse in terms of song writing. I like that each person who has listened to it has a different favourite song, so I think it caters to a wider range of musical tastes.
There are more harmonies (guitarmonies every now and again), a bunch of interesting melodies and it takes more risks than our previous releases (even got a bit of cow bell thrown in here and there for good measure).
How was your headline tour?
It was brilliant, we were so lucky to be sharing the stage with Never Hill and Cavalier – great bands and genuine guys – there was a few ‘bromances’ going on for sure.
It reminded me how important it is to play as many shows as possible, as there’s nothing quite like being on stage.
How much did it mean to you to see fans at your gigs?
All I ever want out of shows is to see people singing along, and there was plenty of that so I was made up. I always encourage people to come chat to me after so it was really cool speaking to people and seeing what they thought of the new material.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
Oh mannnn it would have to be Hall & Oats – they carve out audio sunshine. They are my go-to band when I get control of the music at house parties.
If I wanted to collaborate with a band closer to our genre around at the moment it would maybe be Coheed and Cambria (for the quirkyness), The Hives (for the sheer audacity of what would be created), or Four Year Strong (those guys know how to write a breakdown)
What has been your proudest moment to date?
That’s a tough one, mainly because I’m easily pleased! We had some really good feedback during the tour which is always great to hear – someone said my voice is ‘insane’ – not sure if that’s good or bad but I’m gonna take it!