Barrie-James O’Neill / NiGHTMARE BOY - INTERVIEW
● Being from Glasgow myself, I have personal knowledge that it’s a hard place to beat - what was the transition for you like, moving from Glasgow to LA?
"It’s a hard change. A big one that I had to make. I miss Scottish Girls."
● Whilst recording the album, did you have any strong influences in how the sound would be, or how the lyrics were wrote?
"I wanted the album to have the same flow as [Pink Floyd’s] ‘Dark Side of the Moon’. Melody is more important to me than lyrics. I write words really quickly - mostly random thoughts from my diaries."
● How was the album created? Did you already have pre-existing songs, or was everything totally fresh?
"These are songs from the past. I wrote most of them in winter."
● With this being your first solo album, do you feel the music behind it reflects you?
"I was trying to match my inner voice with my outer voice."
● You recently uploaded a Short Film onto your YouTube channel - do you see the cinematography behind music being something you’d pursue further?
"‘Par^Noid’ was my first attempt at filmmaking. I made it in one night. I’d love to make a lot of films."
● This is a question which is frequently asked, but what is your own muse? What inspires you to write? (Poems, music, lyrics)
"Feeling lonely helps. Sitting down by a piano with a glass of red wine helps. Piano is my favourite thing. And longing after a woman always inspires me. If I didn’t long for something… I wouldn’t know what to do with myself."
● What is the progression you do when you write? Do you have a plan in your mind?
"I never have a plan. It either comes to you right away, or you sit and suffer for hours waiting for it. Suffering is good, but I prefer it when it comes right away. It’s not up to you really."
● How would you describe your album in 3 words?
"Really, fucking, sad."
● What do you expect us to feel when we listen to your album? Do you have a story to tell?
"I have no idea what you’ll feel. You may feel a million things, or nothing."
● When was the first time you played an instrument and when did you decide that you would write songs and make music?
"I wanted to become a drummer. I skipped school when I was 12 and went to my cousin Andy’s house in Clydebank where he let me hang out in his room all day. I liked that because he had a drum kit in his room. I waited until he got drunk, and then asked him if I could play his drums? He said sure so I sat down and started to play. I knew how to play. Thanks Andy.
I’ve never really known that. I guess you just keep doing it if it’s all you can do, and if it’s all you want to do."
● Do you feel that having such a committed and devoted fan-following imposes on how you find the complimentary side of things to take?
"Compliments are hard for me to take. I met a lot of nice people when I was touring. They say really nice things sometimes. And I’m grateful for nice people saying nice things. I like it when a person is nice. My mind wont let me enjoy compliments."
● Who contributed to the album? (Who played on it, who sang, who mixed it etc.)
"There’s a few to mention. Scottie Diablo, Jim Abbiss, Sol and Patrick. Sejo. Not to mention all the cool interns who worked there. And the owner Cathleen."
We want to thank Nightmare Boy once again for giving us this opportunity. Stay tuned because great things are coming up. Don't forget:
October 10th - New Song
October 10th - Gig at the Hotel Cafe in LA
October 26th - Gig at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica
"It’s a hard change. A big one that I had to make. I miss Scottish Girls."
● Whilst recording the album, did you have any strong influences in how the sound would be, or how the lyrics were wrote?
"I wanted the album to have the same flow as [Pink Floyd’s] ‘Dark Side of the Moon’. Melody is more important to me than lyrics. I write words really quickly - mostly random thoughts from my diaries."
● How was the album created? Did you already have pre-existing songs, or was everything totally fresh?
"These are songs from the past. I wrote most of them in winter."
● With this being your first solo album, do you feel the music behind it reflects you?
"I was trying to match my inner voice with my outer voice."
● You recently uploaded a Short Film onto your YouTube channel - do you see the cinematography behind music being something you’d pursue further?
"‘Par^Noid’ was my first attempt at filmmaking. I made it in one night. I’d love to make a lot of films."
● This is a question which is frequently asked, but what is your own muse? What inspires you to write? (Poems, music, lyrics)
"Feeling lonely helps. Sitting down by a piano with a glass of red wine helps. Piano is my favourite thing. And longing after a woman always inspires me. If I didn’t long for something… I wouldn’t know what to do with myself."
● What is the progression you do when you write? Do you have a plan in your mind?
"I never have a plan. It either comes to you right away, or you sit and suffer for hours waiting for it. Suffering is good, but I prefer it when it comes right away. It’s not up to you really."
● How would you describe your album in 3 words?
"Really, fucking, sad."
● What do you expect us to feel when we listen to your album? Do you have a story to tell?
"I have no idea what you’ll feel. You may feel a million things, or nothing."
● When was the first time you played an instrument and when did you decide that you would write songs and make music?
"I wanted to become a drummer. I skipped school when I was 12 and went to my cousin Andy’s house in Clydebank where he let me hang out in his room all day. I liked that because he had a drum kit in his room. I waited until he got drunk, and then asked him if I could play his drums? He said sure so I sat down and started to play. I knew how to play. Thanks Andy.
I’ve never really known that. I guess you just keep doing it if it’s all you can do, and if it’s all you want to do."
● Do you feel that having such a committed and devoted fan-following imposes on how you find the complimentary side of things to take?
"Compliments are hard for me to take. I met a lot of nice people when I was touring. They say really nice things sometimes. And I’m grateful for nice people saying nice things. I like it when a person is nice. My mind wont let me enjoy compliments."
● Who contributed to the album? (Who played on it, who sang, who mixed it etc.)
"There’s a few to mention. Scottie Diablo, Jim Abbiss, Sol and Patrick. Sejo. Not to mention all the cool interns who worked there. And the owner Cathleen."
We want to thank Nightmare Boy once again for giving us this opportunity. Stay tuned because great things are coming up. Don't forget:
October 10th - New Song
October 10th - Gig at the Hotel Cafe in LA
October 26th - Gig at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica