In Conversation With #244 - The Nightmares
Welsh noir pop outfit The Nightmares have just released their debut album ‘Séance' via Venn Records / Equal Vision Records.
Formed in 2018, The Nightmares are as inspired by shared musical passions - The Cure, Placebo, Interpol - as they are by the art of seances themselves. Centred on the local music scene of Newport, South Wales, the quartet quickly embarked on their first UK tours in 2019, including supporting local legends Holding Absence. The Nightmares have also toured with Tiger Army, Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties, Bleak Soul, and supported Salem and Bad Nerves, among others.
Fresh from their support of post-hardcore heavyweights Casey, The Nightmares will embark on a co-headline tour with Miss Vincent in April. They took a moment to talk to us about how their album came together.
Hey there The Nightmares - how are you? So your album is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
Hi! We are very well, thank you. We are ecstatic to finally have the record out! It was written during lockdown and recorded in April 2021… so we’ve been sat on it for a while!
It is called ‘Séance’ - what is the meaning behind that?
During lockdown, Adam and Eleanor started experimenting with the art of the séance. They had a pretty intense experience, and this had a profound impact on them. This would kick start the writing process for the album and influenced some of the themes across the record. We recreated the experience for the video for ‘From Above’.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
It was recorded in Stompbox Studios in Pontyclun, South Wales with our producer Richard Jackson across the space of about a week. It was a fantastic, immersive experience that saw us live together and continue to work on music and lyrics together during the recording process. We watched a lot of horror movies, had a few too many drinks and tattooed the band’s name on each other as well!
What are the key themes and influences on the album?
I’d say death, loss, and mourning. But there’s definitely some hope in there as well if you listen hard enough.
If the album could be the soundtrack to any film - which one would it be and why?
Great question! The first track on the album, ‘It Follows’, takes influence from the 2014 film of the same name. So I’m going to go with that. We’re big fans of David Robert Mitchell’s work.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the album - if so, which one and why?
‘Like a wooden stake to the heart,
With the good of grace, you played your part (and played me too).
Let me die in my sin.
Let the light in. Let the light in.’
(From ‘Let The Light In’)
Now the album is out there - what next?
Lots of touring! Catch us across the UK with Miss Vincent this April:
Southampton, Joiners. April 19.
Newcastle, Little Buildings. April 20.
Leeds, Boom. April 21.
Newport, The Westgate Hotel. April 22
Kingston, The Fighting Cocks. April 23.
