THE NIGHTMARES Interview with Nick Hall

XM: For starters let’s get our readers up to date on what The Nightmares has been up to so far this year.
Nick: This year has been a big one for us, besides playing every chance we get, we just released our brand-new music video for the song ‘Static State’ and we are currently in the studio working with CORE on our first full-length album and gearing up for the shows we have lined up this summer and fall.

XM: I suppose that a lot of our readers do not really know The Nightmares. I would like to ask you to give us a small introduction of the band and tell us something about the history.
Nick: Dave, Dan and I played in a band together a few years back. After that project fell apart, we kinda did our own thing for a while. Around 2009 I started writing some new songs and reached out to the guys who were down with starting this new project... We recruited Joey from another local band when our original drummer decided to quit the band. We've been gigging and writing and generally rocking out all over Ontario ever since

XM: Your sound draws from a variety of styles, how would you describe The Nightmares to someone that had never heard your music before?
Nick: Well, We really like music. We’re trying to develop a very powerful, logical, and sincere style for ourselves. No matter what we’re working on as a band and as musicians we always try to bring a certain intensity, an urgency to our sound. That urgency is one prevailing theme I think carries and ties our sound together.

XM: Is this the only line up or have there been other members?
Nick: Joey (our drummer) immediately jumped into the band when our old drummer Ari had to leave due to scheduling conflicts with work, school, etc. It always help being friends but its just like he’s always been in the band – a perfect fit.

XM: I understand that the band has recently released their self-titled debut EP which was recorded at Flat Soda Studio with Matt Pomade from the Creepshow. What was the recording process like and what was it like working with Matt?
Nick: Matt was amazing, he did us a HUGE favor recording us and it was a lot of fun and a great learning experience. It was very DIY and I think it was perfect, we would all love to work with Matt again in the future. We recorded that EP about 3 years ago now and with our first full-length on the way we’re really excited to update our sound with people who like the band.

XM: Tell me a little about the songs on the release. What subject matter do you cover on this album?
Nick: I’ve always found that the subject matter going on in the songs seems to reflect what is going on in life. Sometimes its very personal, most of the time its universal. It's generally on the darker side of the emotional spectrum, because.. well, that's what speaks loudest to us.

XM: Do you all write the music together or is someone the "boss" when it comes to song writing?
Nick: We all write together and contribute throughout the process but our songs will usually start with a rough structure one or two of us have developed.

XM: The Nightmares will be part of the lineup for the C.O.R.E. Launch Party/Show this September. How did you get involved with C.O.R.E.?
Nick: To be honest, the first time one of us spoke with Lee (the owner of CORE) we didn't really know what to think. Lee had all these ideas for the way the music industry should be organized and the roles of bands and.. and... it was a bit much to take in all at once. Dan invited Lee out to our video release show to check out the band and talk a little more.. I guess we played really well that night because he was stoked from that moment on. We met a few more times to figure out what it was really about and it really makes sense for a band like ours. CORE shares the same mentality we have about music, about the role of the artist and we saw that we could help each other out in a big way. It was a perfect fit.

XM: How would you describe one of your bands live performances and is there anything that we should be looking for when were watching?
Nick: I’d say we’re always trying to keep up a high-energy show cause that’s what we love to do. Oh, and watch out for Dan almost falling over. Usually happens at least once a night.

XM: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an unsigned band?
Nick: I'd say trying to keep up with all of the day-to-day tasks involved with being an independent band from booking to promoting, flyering to just trying to find a place to crash after a gig!

XM: Where do you aspire to go and who do you aspire to play with?
Nick: Well, we really want to keep playing as many shows are possible for as many people as possible. It doesn't matter with who or where...

XM: What are your favorite bands? Any new good bands from your area you’d like to mention here?
Nick: Burn the Radio are great, check them out. I’d also recommend TeenageX, The Coppertone (amazing female fronted rock band), and Indian Handcrafts

XM: On behalf of xplosivemetal.com I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer some questions with us.
Nick: Anytime!

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