Interview with Nick Rezzonico from Night on the Sun

How did the band start? Who initiated it?

This current incarnation of Night on the Sun was started in 2016. I have been making music with different people as a singer/songwriter since I was fifteen or sixteen, but the current lineup of the band was solidified around the presidential primaries of 2016. Sorry, almost everything in my memory can be tied to the political events of any given year. Big political junkie.

Does the band name come from the song “Night on the Sun” by Modest Mouse?

Yes it does! Modest Mouse is my favorite band, and we thought it would be a nice homage to one of the most important and criminally underrated bands of the last few decades to name our band after one of their first releases.

You have a distinct sound that separates you from a lot of modern bands. Who are your biggest influences that helped you form your sound?

Thank you! When I think of influences that have shaped my writing style most, I would have to go with Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, Bon Iver, Modest Mouse, and Neil Young. I try to be influenced more by the feelings that these artists can bring out in an audience rather than just the sounds they’re making in the studio. I’m very interested in the connectivity and communal spirit that someone like Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) can bring out between himself and the people who listen to his work. It’s definitely a big goal to strive for but it’s one that keeps me quite busy writing as much as I can.

How would you define your music?

My music is aggressively earnest. Above all else, it’s very important to me to not hide behind any veils of irony or pretense in the music or the lyrics. What you see is what you get. I want to bring out a true emotional response in people, and I believe the only way to do that, is to continually pull out true emotional confessions from myself in the music.

What is the band’s writing process?

For the past few releases, the music has been self produced (barring “Let it Die” which I had help from the very talented producer/mixer Chris Boecker on). I write the music and lyrics, demo them out, show them to the other guys, get some notes, have them record some drums and lead guitars if the song calls for them, and then I spend about ninety hours in my room tracking and mixing and everything.

What is your song “Play Pretend” about?

“Play Pretend” is definitely a breakup song. For me, it’s about the way mental illness and emotional problems can turn a relationship sour before it was meant to. I went through a bad bout of depression when I first moved to New York and my relationship at the time suffered and eventually ended in large part due to it. “Play Pretend” is an excavation of the fallout from the kind of breakup.

When do you plan on releasing your debut album?

At this point, we don’t really have the funds to record any serious album, so for now it will just be releasing singles every two months or so, and EPs intermittently.

Where do you hope to see Night on the Sun go, whether it’s the far or near future?

Everyone who plays music seriously (whether they want to admit it or not) wants to be seen and admired by as many people as they possibly can. I’m no different. I’d love to see my band playing Coachella and Bonnaroo within the next few years and doing some decent tours with a bigger headliner. Although being a big headliner ourselves would be the dream, just being able to make a living solely off touring and recording would be my ideal goal.

What is one song you wish you wrote?

“After the Gold Rush” by Neil Young. Hauntingly perfect song.

Night on the Sun's Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4I3aOc8vMW7ckGyDtWcKzD?si=n2y_cwImS5CL8DwfOdz4nQ

Night on the Sun's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nightonthesunband/?hl=en