This post was originally published on this site
NEW YEARS DAY are a band that feels like part of the furniture. Forming in 2005 they’re about to hit the 20 year milestone and they are showing no signs of slowing down.
NEW YEARS DAY are back in the UK for the first time since 2020, and they are returning to their roots. After all, it’s been a hell of a five years since they last graced these shores. From experimenting with sound, embracing their true selves and bringing it back to basics Distorted Sound has it covered. We caught up with Ash Costello and Nikki Misery before their sold-out show at The Key Club in Leeds.
In March 2024, NEW YEARS DAY’s fifth studio album, Half Black Heart, was released, and it is a doozy. Filled to the brim with emotion and duality from start to finish. This is an album that is born to be played live and sung back to the band by passion filled crowds. It’s now the UK’s turn to show NEW YEARS DAY what this album means to them. Along for the ride are old pals FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS and sisters in arms CONQUER DIVIDE. “It’s a small musical world when there’s women involved in the rock world. So we just love what they’re doing. We love that they’re an all female band. The singer [Kia Castillo] is incredible, and we just thought it would be an awesome addition and something new,” Costello explains.
Some overdue kudos are going to the girlies in metalcore bands at the moment. SPIRITBOX and POPPY are nominated for Grammys this year, two acts who are unapologetically themselves. There is also a slow but steady increase in diversifying representation on the festival circuit. Costello confesses that it’s only in recent years she feels comfortable embracing her feminity on stage. “Before, I felt like I had to really hold my own with the men. So I didn’t wear skirts, I didn’t talk girly, I didn’t skip on stage. And then something happened where I was like, I don’t care anymore. I’m just going full Tinkerbell on stage.” Despite being a powerhouse in the scene, there were still elements of holding back their true selves. Now, the whole band are throwing out the rule book and choosing contagious self-expression.
Getting to embrace her girly side is something close to Costello’s heart. Long-term fans or people who are familiar with the band will have noticed this slight shift in image. Witnessing people with platforms embracing their authentic selves goes so much further than women in metal getting to be cute and hardcore. It offers a safe space to anyone shy about letting go. Combined with the liberating nature of Half Black Heart these shows ooze catharsis and celebration. Misery highlights, “I’m just so focused on the show, I’m not thinking about the future.” These shows are their number one priority while touring, and it’s undeniable. The recently found artistic freedom doesn’t end with Costello being a self-processed Tinkerbell, it’s also seen in the setlists. KAHLANI’s Gangsta has made its way to live shows. A cover that has racked up millions of streams, continues to help music fans discover the band.
Despite the aforementioned highs, the reality of touring isn’t glamorous. Costello laments that they can’t appreciate cities while they’re in them. “The lows this tour seem to be the jet lag. The just needing to sleep all day when you’re only in town for this one day. We get maybe four hours to see the area.” Spending a year travelling the world with good friends is the dream, but seeing the world on tour is difficult. At the end of the day being a touring musician is still a taxing full-time job, both physically and mentally. It requires commitment, work getting in the way of leisure time and even having to go in when feeling ill.
There’s a difference between having an off day at the office and having an off day on tour. They’re conscious to treat every day of the tour like it’s the first one because, for the people who paid their hard earned money to be there, it’s their first and only night of the tour, both Costello and Misery are supremely aware of this fact, feeling privileged that people choose to spend their time and money with this band. They want to go out on stage and make it worth their while, as a thank you. Misery gushed about the reception of the tour thus far. “It way exceeded our expectations. We’re so thrilled and happy, and I’m glad we did it.” To them touring is less about getting to perform their songs, it’s about the fans getting to experience the songs live.
There is one thing for certain, NEW YEARS DAY would do anything for their fans. Their vision for this tour wasn’t to blow people away with staging and theatrics they wanted to strip it back. “Let’s just rely on the old school attitude and just go out there with literally nothing on. Like we don’t have amps on stage.” Despite struggling with jet lag and a demanding tour, they’re a band that lights up when talking about playing for people. It seems that not one single downside can dim that shine. Having been several years since they had performed here last, the band weren’t sure what to expect. Even curating a setlist of fan favourites, energetic covers and of course tracks from the new album was no walk in the park. But throwing Fucking Hostile by PANTERA in the middle is the cherry on top of a well-curated setlist.
It seems all is quiet regarding the near future of NEW YEARS DAY in the UK after this tour. However, with talk of coming back soon and wanting to get back into the studio, it’s unlikely it will be another five years before they’re back here with new music.
Like NEW YEARS DAY on Facebook.
The post New Years Day: A Beacon For Self Expression appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.
