After establishing themselves with a string of promising and intriguing cuts last year, US duo The Night Alone have now returned to deliver their first official single in the form of 'Took My Breath Away'.
Taking their cues from the bright and uplifting pop-rock direction of acts like Two Door Cinema Club and The 1975, 'Took My Breath Away' makes for a fresh and dynamic introduction to their sound. With its bold and shimmering textures matched effortlessly against some incredibly catchy hooks, this new one looks set to serve them very well in the coming months.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and influences over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Christian: The first instrument I fell in love with was the piano. I took lessons on and off throughout middle and high school, but mostly I learned just by playing and improvising. I loved playing jazz, some classical, and a lot of Billy Joel.
Vinny: Guitar. It’s not the first instrument I learned, actually. Saxophone was. I played it less than a year and enjoyed it, but it wasn’t until I started playing guitar that I really fell in love with music.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Christian: Well, I was brought up listening to bands like The Beatles and Rush. One of my first favorite songs was ‘2112.’ I guess that’s pretty intense. But throughout middle school I loved Coldplay and then by high school I was getting really into Phoenix, The 1975, and a lot more alternative and pop-based artists.
Vinny: Honestly, I was into a lot of different things. From my parents, 80s hair bands. But I was also really into early 2000s pop punk, the alternative scene, and hip hop.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Vinny: The first one I remember purchasing myself was All American-Rejects “Move Along.”
Christian: Yeah, for me, the first one I remember buying myself was Alt-J’s “This Is All Yours.” I didn’t even know the band, I just saw the CD cover in Target’s music section. I mostly just liked the artwork! But then I fell in love with so much of that music.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Vinny: “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” I feel like I could make that into a modern-day hip-hop/trap or modern rock thing. I don’t know, there’s so much you could do with that song and it will still work.
Christian: This one’s really hard for me. At this point, I would say “When I Saw Her Standing There,” by The Beatles. It’s just such a classic and I’d love to write a classic. Either that or maybe “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It’ll change next week.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Vinny: I clean my room because that’s where my studio is and I won’t be able to think straight if it’s cluttered. So that’s a must.
Christian: It’s such a chaotic and unplanned process for me. I’ll just get an idea and run to my studio or pull out the voice memos app.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Christian: Right now, I’m super into LCD Soundsystem and Talking Heads. I don’t know a ton of either of their discographies but I’m falling more and more in love every day. Oh! Also, Billie Eilish and Vacation Manor.
Vinny: I can’t stop listening to The Kid LAROI’s debut album. It’s been on repeat in my car since he released the last part of it.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Christian: I think we’d be a good opener for like, The Neighborhood, or maybe Bleachers. That’s a tricky one for me.
Vinny: Anyone in the world? Justin Bieber.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Vinny: It’s just such a unique way to process your feelings and understand other artists.
Christian: For me, it’s that moment where the song is figured out. Not done, but you know what it’s going to be. I guess, seeing the bigger picture finally.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Vinny: That you can be so hard on yourself when you’re first creating a song and it’s really hard to break that barrier. It’s really frustrating and you just kind of have to work around it.
Christian: I get so in my head about every little thing that I could think for weeks about this one lyric or this harmony idea. Maybe how I want the bass line to be or my voice to sound. And that comes through in the music I think. It definitely comes through in my goals and how I try to achieve them.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Vinny: Be yourself.
Christian: To let go. The idea is going to be what it’s going to be. At some point, you can’t control it.
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The Night Alone's new single 'Took My Breath Away' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.