Napier Days is a solo project. Since his early youth, he has been playing the keyboard, some piano, and mainly acoustic and electric guitars. With the bands "Delayed," "Crushed Ice," and "Non-Fiction Empire," he earned his first spurs in the Berlin music scene. He has also been writing and recording his own songs for many years. Napier Days loves every day he comes in contact with music, whether it's rehearsals, recording sessions, gigs, or just being a listener. "Blackout" is about the fear of losing control and the distortion of reality and illusion. It's quite dark, he has to admit. But there is also the message that you can find the right direction if you commit to taking one step at a time.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hey Napier Days, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
Thanks first of all for the invitation. I think I first became interested in music through my father. I remember we listened to cassettes of The Police and the Rolling Stones on car trips, I think on the way to school. I thought it was incredibly cool back then and wanted to learn to play an instrument myself. After a few years at music school, I found my way into a band to play keyboard. But from there on I found the guitarists next to me a touch cooler and started learning the electric guitar a short time later. These days I play a a couple more instruments, just a few more skillfully though and last year I started to record and produce some own material.
Your latest song is 'Blackout'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
I wanted to try something different and new in my songwriting process. Normally I have a musical theme and some lyrics in mind and I try to express this structure with other elements that suit the song. With 'Blackout' it was the other way around. I created the atmosphere rather unprejudiced by subtle sounds and then let myself drift by the more dark, atmospheric vibes that emerged from it. Then the feelings that developed during that process found their way in to the lyrics and melody. I suppose I drifted into realms that I might not normally have foreseen, also from the instrumentation of the song, which is more synthesizer-driven than usual.
What do you dislike about the art world?
I think music is constantly in a changing process... and that's a good thing. However, with all the available opinions, algorythms and the fast pace of hot artists, we are also prevented from discovering new music for ourselves that is outside of our radius of exploration. Most people have an image of a band in their head first through social media before they even listen what music is behind it. Finding great new music is a task in itself really. Sometimes I feel like we have a greater chance to miss out on something because we never get to know new tracks or artists in a style we are not already listening to.
Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?
A real-life inspiration... One of my inspirations is listening to other artists and going to live shows, no matter the genre. Its so fascinating how many different ways there are to express your emotions and thoughts. Especially when you consider that over time everything should have been done before. There are so many unique approaches and artists who bring something new to the table.
What accomplishments do you see yourself achieving in the next five to 10 years?
Definitely writing music, playing live and having fun doing it. As long as I enjoy it for myself I don't think I have the possibility to stop. If I'm lucky there might be some new listeners over time. But I don't have a number for albums, releases or any followers in mind. Before I think about that I prefer to take it step by step and learn new things along the way. Especially because nowadays as an independent artist you have to cover quite a lot of areas.
What’s your scariest experience?
I used to think the worst thing that could happen is forgetting the lyrics of the 3rd verse or messing up some solo of your own songs. I think now I'm a little more hardened and rely on improvisation or humor to get it done if it becomes necessary. I actually think one of the worst experiences I can imagine would be not being able to make music for some reason. This may sound a bit strange, but my heart is really invested in this and the whole thing gives me back immensely.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Rather minimalist and emotionally charged I think. I don't like to think in genres and feel the variety always holds something exciting. For example, I notice that here and there a bit more electronic influences have crept into my songs lately. But I don't really question that, as long as my inner musical compass tells me that I'm on the right track.
Have you ever taught or mentored another musician?
I actually tried giving guitar lessons a few times. But since I rarely play songs by other artists myself, let alone explain the theory behind it, I honestly don't think I was a good catch as a teacher.
Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?
Absolutely not. I would even say that music tends to strengthen friendships and bring people together. Besides my solo project, I also play in a rock band called 'Monkeys for Government'. And even with the solo project you always meet new people and like to exchange ideas and philosophize about anything.