As Claire Reynolds (one of the publicists I’m ALWAYS happy to hear from) connects me to Nikki Misery of New Years Day, he comes on the line laughing. Immediately he says “Sorry, Ash is beating me with posters.” In that moment I know this will actually be an enjoyable conversation.
The band dropped a new album earlier this year. It’s titled Unbreakable, and for good reason. This band has been through a lot and Nikki and I discuss that and a whole lot more:
TC: Are you guys on tour right now?
NM: “We had our first day yesterday in Bakersfield and today we’ve got a day off so we’re just hanging out.”
TC: How long is the tour you’re just starting?
NM: “It’ll be about 2 months. We’re on our current headliner with Diamante, Rivals, and Savage After Midnight. And then we join up with Godsmack for a few weeks.”
TC: I remember finding out about New Years Day from MySpace. What do you think has been the biggest change since then?
NM: “The band was real pop-punk-y when it first started. It also got really big, really quickly. Especially with MySpace and MTV. When the label we were on fell apart Ash took it upon herself to basically resurrect this band from the dead. It had a way darker vibe to it. You had this sense of angst and revenge. That’s what it really started to become what Ash’s real vision is. It just kept evolving and molding into what it is now.”
TC: I also recall seeing you play Warped Tour back in 2012. I believe that was the year you guys played the entire tour. What was that experience like?
NM: “It was awesome. It was a dream to do for me especially, because it was my first time performing at Warped Tour at all. I remember one the most magical moments for us. We got to Seattle which I believe was the first day that year and got a phone call from Kevin Lyman saying ‘You guys are going to open up Main Stage today.’ It was a surreal experience I’ll never forget.”
TC: How was your tour with In This Moment? They are an insane band to watch live.
NM: That was honestly one of the greatest tours I’ve ever been a part of. I’ve never had such nice, down to earth people on the road with us. I just never know what to expect from people, especially in the business we’re in. We toured with them again more recently, in November. It was like a family reunion seeing them again. It’s so cool to have that camaraderie. We’ve toured with a lot of different acts and it seems like a lot of the bigger artists are a lot more humble.”
TC: New Years Day stands out to me as a band that’s really good at doing quality cover songs. Are there any you’d like to cover that you haven’t yet?
NM: “The first one that comes to mind that would be an obvious choice would be “Hate Myself For Loving You” by Joan Jett. Also, a little more on the obscure side, “Not to Touch The Earth” by The Doors. It always creeped me out when I was younger and I can just imagine what this band could do with that.”
TC: What are you listening to right now?
NM: “I usually listen to classic rock. I’m really into this band called The Growlers, they’re known as ‘beach goth’. They have this dark, surfy, really cool vibe to them. I jam them a lot. It’s funny because after touring and playing hard rock every night, by the time I go home I need something to mellow out to. Then at the same time I’ve been listening to lot of thrash lately. So, like I said it’s either totally chill or wild and insane.” (he laughs)
TC: What motivates you?
NM: “I’d say the biggest things that drive us are the things that have tried to hold us back and push us down. We just maintain a ‘We won’t be stopped’ attitude.”
TC: The theme of outside forces trying to hold you down must have been the inspiration behind the new album title, Unbreakable.
NM: “Absolutely. We definitely have a mindset of not taking no for an answer. After being jerked around for long enough, eventually you just want to become a big walking middle finger to anyone who ever doubted you. It’s all about perseverance. Right now, in our current mental state we feel like we’re unbreakable after everything we’ve been through with this band. Ash is the only one who’s been here from the start but I joined shortly after the resurrection of the band. It’s been insane to be a part of that journey.”
TC: How has the reception been to you guys playing these songs out live?
NM: “On stage you’re in the zone. The craziest part is to get tagged in videos later and watch from that perspective. It’s insane to hear the kids singing back at you. The passion in their faces and voices is something that puts a smile on my face. I feel like I’m living a dream. There’s people singing OUR songs. They’re listening to our music the same way other people’s music inspired me. It’s almost indescribable.”
See all of New Years Day’s tour dates and get tickets by clicking here!
Check out New Years Day’s video for their single, “Shut Up”
Listen to New Years Day’s new album, Unbreakable, below:
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