The trio rounded off the year with their vibrant single ‘Drifting’, an atmospheric soundscape that contrasts the track’s bright qualities with naked sentiments on new-age romanticism. Lead singer Iiris Vesik, tells TNAM about the bands inspirations, the magic of her home town in Tallinn, the exciting process of creating ‘Drifting’ and what’s coming up for Night Tapes in 2024 so far.
Hey guys, how are you! What have you been getting up to since the release of your most recent single ‘drifting’?
Heioo! Iiris here! We’re good! The start of the year has been emotionally slow/ I was ill a couple of times and in a general bear mood. But since the new moon things have started moving again & drifting seems to be picking up speed which is really nice to see/read. I probably should stop reading comments, but atm it’s been really nice to see comments popping up like little hits of dopamine. all though I should stop soon.
You guys have told the story of how you all met studying in London & making music, how did you first start collaborating, and ultimately figure out that your sounds were compatible? Where did the name Night Tapes come from?
We all lived in the same house a few years back and had our own projects happening, but living together jams started happening organically and Night Tapes- which was us in the evenings after work recording the vibe on cassette tapes crept up on us.
What influence would you say your time spent together in London and your individual experiences growing up in Tallinn and the New Forrest have had on your musical style?
I think there’s a magical vibe in Tallinn- I grew up in Old Town for the first 9 years of my life & talked to ghosts apparently (according to my brother). I have a bog behind my grandparents home where i stayed a lot as a kid. I carry a bit of Estonia with me everywhere I go so I think some of it does always end up in songs. I can only imagine it’s the same for the boys.
You’ve mentioned this most recent single was produced in a day! How was the process putting together ‘drifting’ and how do you combine your individual styles on new projects like this?
It was Richie’s demo he brought to the session sounding pretty similar to the end version already. We were pumped to hear it with Max and got the song to where it is lyrically and structurally in a day. 31st of July 2023 was a great day. sometimes things just happen & things kinda come out like a sneeze. Just a moment and it’s there. It’s a gift when that happens because usually songs take 4 years with us (lol).
This new single ‘drifting’ is sonically super colourful and uplifting but is matched with some sentiments on romance and love being a waste of time. This is such a fun contrast, what’s the story behind the meaning of the track?
lyrically it was more of a stream of consciousness kinda thing. The line “romanticism must die” has always been a big emotional trigger for me & i’ve been carrying that line around for a while. with this song i was finally able to use it. By now i’ve figured out what it means for me, but I’d rather not tell and have people have their own interpretations.
I can say though that I think the ideologies of romanticism in the 18th century for love are outdated and we should ask ourselves if the ideals back then still serve our love lives. I think they don’t. At one point you gotta ask yourself- is this a magical attraction or is it a trauma attraction actually (not that trauma attractions aren’t useful in bringing trauma out – it’s easier to heal something you are aware about). I think it’s more about the time and place and less about the one fated person for everyone.
Something super special in your music is not just the big, dream-pop sounds in your production but the commentary in your lyrics, whether it’s on complex relationships or larger societal issues, where do you pull inspiration for the stories in your lyrics?
I’m just collecting stories, words and feelings while living & weaving them into songs. trying to always leave something that’s true for me in there.
Following some of the moodier, woozier tracks on your third EP ‘Perfect Kindness’, where are you hoping to take listeners with this new single? Are there any particular moments that inspired the bright, shimmery feeling in this track?
I think we’re trying to make something we want to listen to.
You’ve got a show alongside Sans Soucis, Circe and Ebbb in January, which I’ve already grabbed my tickets for! What else can we expect from Night Tapes in 2024?
Yaaass! See you there! We’ve finished a new EP so look out for new songs coming up! Super pumped for them! making some more visuals with Owain Morgan (who did the video for drifting) and super excited to do that! Also, we have already started to write the next thing and we’re putting together a tour for this year to promote the new EP “Assisted Memories” coming out on the 26th of April.
