A Dirty Dozen with BRENDAN SHANE from THE NOCTURNAL AFFAIR – December 2021

According to a recent press release: “The Nocturnal Affair, an alternative/dark rock project spearheaded by singer/songwriter Brendan Shane, have shared the video for their new single “Down” over at Outburn. It was directed by Dale “Rage” Resteghini (Diddy, Gun N’ Roses, Pitbull, Hatebreed, and many more). The band’s musical style is an ode to darker alternative music torchbearers like Type O Negative, HIM, David Bowie, Gary Numan, and Nine Inch Nails. They capture a uniquely haunting sound steeped in melancholic melodies enveloped in the darkness behind the glow of the Las Vegas lights where Shane has called home. The Nocturnal Affair’s new single “Down” marks the band’s first official release via Earache Records, one of the longest running and most well-known rock and metal record labels in the world.” We get singer / songwriter Brendan to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

“Down” is a Frankenstein’s monster of a song. The chorus lyrics and melody were written about five years before the verses were. After writing the verses I got stuck at the chorus. I listened through my older demos, found the older song’s chorus and found the vocal melody fit perfectly over the new song. The lyrics even made sense with the verses subject matter.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I’ve been listening to all types of music since I can remember. Growing up, I was often home by myself. I would always have MTV or the radio on to make me feel like I wasn’t alone. Music videos and the radio raised me a lot of the time. As I got older and my love for music grew I started singling in choir and eventually taught myself to play some piano by ear and picked up the guitar. Once I decided to be a musician professionally I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to be a positive force, to be there for others and remind them they aren’t alone in this world.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Everything from Queen and David Bowie to Metallica, Frank Sinatra and Little Richard. I listened to it all then and I still try to keep my playlists eclectic now. I’ve been back and forth between Johnny Cash and Depeche Mode as of late.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

This is such a difficult question because my answer is a constant revolving door of many many artists I listen to. Currently it’s: Prince, David Bowie, Queen, Depeche Mode, and Radiohead.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Either Trent Reznor or Damon Albarn.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I like to call the music “Dark Rock.” I’ve found our songs give me a feeling of nostalgia, of what I miss being played on the radio but with a modern edge. If I’m actually accomplishing this for others? Who knows. I don’t really care. I’m having fun though. Haha. In our earlier days we were compared to Type O Negative a lot cause I’d sing more baritone in most of the songs. I didn’t hate that comparison. Quite the compliment. I wouldn’t say we sound a lot like them now.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Andy and Mike are the chefs. Andy has a killer way with smoking and grilling things and Mike is the kind of dude that see’s a dish online once and finds a way to make it 1000x better all while he’s baking some home made sourdough bread. Food wizards. As far as the drinking goes, we’re all guilty from one time or another. Though if you put an acoustic guitar or two in front of us at a party, Mike and I will be taking requests for the rest of the night whether you like it or not. Haha.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I’m usually more star struck by people who work behind the scenes and make musicians and actors look good. The ghost writers, the studio musicians, the producers, etc. A few years back I was hanging out with a band backstage in LA and the creators of Repo the Genetic Opera stopped by to say hi to the headliner. I had been drinking all night with the band so of course I was not mentally prepared to meet these people. I fan boy’d pretty hard.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I’ve always aspired to do what I love most while helping others. With music I’ve found I can accomplish this goal over and over again. I’d probably be working production for film/tv or making sushi. I learned almost a decade ago how to make sushi and worked for a few places in my area. I loved everything about it EXCEPT there was no time to do anything else like music. I had to pick a different way to make money if I was going to pursue this career path.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

This isn’t really a thought I’ve had. I’ve only had a few interviews so far for Nocturnal and this one has been quite lovely. So I wouldn’t say I’ve experienced a question I’m sick of hearing.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Yes, don’t hire musicians just because they’re your friends. Don’t hire managers just because they’re your friend. Don’t work with anyone just because they’re your friend. Establish a healthy professional relationship first. If a friendship comes from it, that’s a plus.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I would have loved to watch the sessions for The Downward Spiral. That record completely changed how I look at music.

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Category: Interviews