What first drew you toward the darker, more introspective territory explored in “Occulent,” and how did that vision evolve during its creation?
Lyrically, this subject is hard for me to get away from – and I’m not sure I want to. While it’s dark and difficult at times, it’s also a way I continue to remember my friend who I lost: what we went through, both the incredible fun we had and the dark last few years while he battled cancer. Musically, it all came very organically. My favourite songs always seem to click the fastest.
How did collaborating with Simon Grove and Mitta Norath influence the sonic weight and emotional intensity of the track?
Mitta is just such a great energy to have around while recording – super passionate and always keeping the vibes high. Simon was integral in developing our sound. We knew we didn’t want to go down the same path as a lot of metalcore bands. We wanted something polished yet raw at its heart. Simon made that happen for us and delivered something beyond our expectations.
“Occulent” touches on illness, mortality, and the fragility of connection — what personal or shared experiences inspired those themes?
It really stems from a relationship with my best mate who passed away a few years ago. His battle with cancer was horrific, yet his life was so colourful and joyous. There’s a real dichotomy there. I remember the crazy and loving relationship we had as mates, but also how tough it got towards the end and how that affected everyone differently. I know for other members of the band, this subject hits differently because of their own experiences with loss.
There’s a haunting beauty in how the song balances heaviness and vulnerability — was that contrast something you consciously aimed for?
I think that’s something we’re always conscious of. Some of the members of nightdive are the best at their craft – I saw that as a personal admirer of their skill. However, everyone in the band is constantly focused on emotion and feel rather than showing off technique. That’s something I find really special about this band and the musicians I’m playing with.
As a band that only formed this year, how have you managed to carve such a defined sound and identity so quickly?
What we learned pretty quickly is that we share a lot of common interests in the music we love and grew up on. There was about a two-month period where we really dialed in our sound and found what works for us. Fortunately, we’ve all been around music for a while, so we know how to work with each other to get the best results.
Your first show as nightdive is coming up, supporting Ladders on Tables. How does it feel to debut so strong so early in your journey?
It feels amazing. The response has been really incredible – not just from an industry standpoint, but from people who genuinely seem to be enjoying what we’re doing. That means so much to us.
How do you each approach songwriting when dealing with deeply emotional or existential subject matter like this?
I think it’s just an opportunity to explore your own grief, or to take a step back and look at things from multiple points of view to understand how we all deal with things differently. In that way, it’s really cathartic.
Your sound evokes comparisons to Deftones and Thornhill — what influences do you draw from, both musically and beyond music itself?
We’re all kids of alternative metal and grew up on it, so there’s a deep love there. But we’ve also explored other genres like indie rock and EDM, so there are multiple influences in our music that happen organically. That’s really what makes all musicians unique in the end – no two people have the exact same taste.
How do you see the band evolving as you continue working on your upcoming four-track collection?
Every song, or collection of songs, seems to take us closer to understanding who we are as a band and where we want to go sonically – at least in the short term. Who knows where we’ll end up.
What do you hope listeners take away from “Occulent”?
We hope it hits on an emotional level and gives people an outlet for some of the tough things going on in their lives.
SHOWS
WED 12TH NOV – KING ST WAREHOUSE, NEWCASTLE (18+)
SUPPORTING LADDERS ON TABLES
THURS 13TH NOV – CROWBAR, SYDNEY (18+)
SUPPORTING LADDERS ON TABLES WITH DAYS LIKE THESE
