[INTERVIEW] Nightly Talks "Radiohead"

Our favorite indie alt-pop-rockers Nightly are back again with another banger. This time in the form of a slow-burn love song called “Radiohead.” Reminiscent of “Yellow” by Coldplay, this is probably their best release to date (which is saying something because the trio has never put out a bad song). If you’ve been here since 2016, you know the guys aren’t shy about being vulnerable with their audience—but this is a whole new chapter explored.

“Radiohead” feels like a warm summer night- one that creates comfort and serenity while watching the stars. It explores the feeling of love—a warm, cradling love—one where you just know when a person is, well, your person. One where you can feel adoration spreading throughout your chest. You’re scared to share your feelings too soon, but god, you have no doubt that they’re the one.

It is that feeling that has been the fire starter for so many great love stories and now “Radiohead” joins the rankings. We recently got to sit down with Nightly to ask them a few things about the track and what to expect from future releases. Their sophomore album is set for release on August 25, but from this single alone, we can tell it’s going to be something special.

MNG: In one of our previous interviews you said “Yellow” by Coldplay was one of the first songs that made you fall in love with music. “Radiohead” seems like a bit of a homage to that. It also sounds a bit different from songs you’ve put out before- what was your process for writing and recording this one?

Nightly: The majority of this new album is pretty uptempo and we felt it needed a song that showed restraint while still capturing the spirit of the rest of the record. So, we started on the piano, which hasn’t been an instrument we’ve used much previously as Nightly. It brought out a vulnerable emotion that we all loved. So, as soon as we wrote the piano part, the lyrics came out very easily later that night.

MNG: How long did it take to write and record “Radiohead”? How do you think your “voice” in writing has changed since the Honest EP?

Nightly: I think the whole thing took 2 days, one for writing, one for recording. The piano is one take and is kind of the base for the whole song. I think our lyrical voice is just one that’s more confident and carefree with getting to the heart of the idea.

MNG: Is it hard to be vulnerable- to talk about love or falling in love and sharing it with so many people?

Nightly: Only in the way that I want to do the feeling justice. But, it’s easier to think of it as a journal entry from this particular time in our lives.

MNG: How do you get out of your head when writing a new song? Similarly, how have you dealt with creative burnout in the past?

Nightly: I think it’s just the practice of doing it all the time and becoming comfortable making yourself uncomfortable.

MNG: What is your favorite part of releasing songs to your audience?

Nightly: For this new album, I’ve been listening to the songs even after they’ve been finished- over and over just for my own enjoyment, which is a first for me. So, just being able to share that experience is very rewarding.

MNG: If someone is hearing you guys for the first time through radiohead- what are three things you want these new fans to know about you guys? If you had to give them an EP of your “greatest hits” which songs would they be and why?

Nightly: Well, selfishly, I’d want them to hear the new album because it’s truly my favorite stuff we’ve made, but of our released songs I’d say probably “Twenty Something,” “Older,” and “Hate My Favorite Band.”

MNG: What would you tell your younger self at the beginning of Nightly’s existence about where you are/what you’re experiencing right now? What advice would you give them?

Nightly: Trust your gut and don’t second guess it.

MNG: What’s the hardest thing about being an independent band? What’s the most rewarding?

Nightly: It’s a lot more work, but everything feels more rewarding. You have to back yourself which can be scary but we get to be the truest form of ourselves which is the best feeling.

MNG: What can fans expect from the new album?

Nightly: It sounds like the 3 of us playing together in a room, which is what we’ve always wanted our records to sound like. I think now we’re just more comfortable in our own skin.

MNG: The band account tweeted a while ago that “we’re making the album we always wanted to make.” What are you doing differently (or the same) this time around for the second album? What did you learn from recording and writing the first one?

Nightly: I think it’s just a more diluted and pure album. Everything from the songs to the production. We made this record for us.

Watch “Radiohead” below.

The band also recently announced their headlining fall tour. Tickets available at nightloveyou.com.

For all of Nightly’s latest news and updates, follow them on social media:

Facebook: facebook.com/thisisnightly

Instagram: @nightly

Twitter: @nightly

Website: nightloveyou.com

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