After spending the last few years delivering a wealth of broad and immersive releases, Canadian outfit Yester Daze are back to their vibrant best once again with the stunning new EP 'Nothing, Perfectly'.
Featuring the previously shared anthems 'Holy Moly (This Is Who I Am)', 'Hanging By A Thread', 'The Ones Who Bleed' and 'Going Nowhere', this new six-track collection makes for an incredibly bold and dynamic listen. Filled with killer hooks, a soaring atmosphere, and mesmerising vocals layered throughout, 'Nothing, Perfectly' continues to cement them as one of the more exciting names on the rise right now.
So with the new EP available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I fell in love with was the drums. I was 10 years old when I got my first drum set and honestly, the biggest reason I fell in love with music but primarily the drums was because it offered me release and a way to get whatever emotions I was dealing with as a kid out there. My parents divorced not long before I wanted to start playing and on top of being bullied my whole childhood, this just allowed me to literally bash my frustrations away.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
The first memory I have of loving music was funny enough Phil Collins’ “Tarzan” soundtrack. I was a baby and there’s a home video of me patiently waiting for the credits to finish at the end of our VHS copy of Tarzan so that the music videos would play. I went off and was dancing without a care in the world. Another memory would be watching The Beatles’ “Help” for the first time and just loving every song. I still remember every word to this day. There was always music in the house, no one played but we always listened. From Rock to Pop, it was always on. I loved it and felt complete.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first album I remember begging for was “All Hope Is Gone” by Slipknot. That was the first band I obsessed over and if it weren’t for Joey Jordison, I’d never have picked up a pair of sticks. I had bought some CDs before but after I got that album, the obsession began.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
That’s way too hard of a question and it’s always changing. I know whatever I say today will change tomorrow but “Aurora” by Foo Fighters is up there for sure, as is probably most of their discography. There’s also just songs that don’t fit our sound at all like Prince and many other Pop giants. Like “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears for Fears. Absolute banger.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Distracting myself has proven to work. I run a lot and a lot of our recent ideas have come from runs or some form of working out. It clears my head and most of the time I’m jokingly singing or humming and right away I’m like “damn, this is good.” Besides that, I’m pretty obsessive and by exposing myself to new artists and songs, I tend to want to figure out why those songs work and try to write in that vein. It’s more of an exercise but it’s given us some good songs.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
My drummer Matt and I are currently super into Queens of the Stone Age and Dead Poet Society. Just amazing bands and we love their sound. I’ve been listening to a lot of The Dirty Nil again recently which is a great Canadian band that more people should know.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Ask anyone who knows us and the automatic answer is Foo Fighters. They’re a band we all love and take influence from. It would be an absolute dream to open for them. Muse, Royal Blood, Queens of the Stone Age and others would also be incredible. But I’d definitely cry if we opened for Foos.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I think completing a song and seeing that it reaches so many people and that they genuinely love it is amazing. I struggle with confidence and doubt myself all the time. So when people who have no idea who we are like our songs, it really reassures me that we belong and have to keep going. In general, having songs that mean a lot to you out there and exposing that side of you is also beautiful.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Feeling like you never have enough time and comparison. Comparison is the thief of joy. Just do you and forget the rest. On the topic of Josh Homme, he has this quote I love which is “the moment you expect anything from music, you’re expecting too much.” That’s something I’ve found myself thinking about a lot.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Well, that quote is for sure. But one thing I was told and have passed on is that if you have great songs, people will find you. Maybe not right away but eventually. Forget your look, forget trends, stop trying to be somebody you’re not and just focus on what matters, the music. The whole reason most of us started. Do it because you love it, the moment it’s no longer fun and feels like a job, then there's no point.
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Yester Daze's new EP 'Nothing, Perfectly' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.