There’s a certain feeling about reverb lyrics and loose guitar strings that hits most people just right. Match that with sad, dark lyrics and you are speaking to anyone who has ever felt a single emotion age 10-50. Discogs lists Night School as shoegaze, and I think that it’s actually cooler to consider them a rock band. Full stop. I sat down with the real deal rockers to talk about their history as a band, their new release, and Sabrina Carpenter.
Tell us about the For Keeps EP
(Lexy) For Keeps is probably our darkest record as far as lyrics and sound. I’ve been gravitating toward writing more sad and dark songs lately. Making melancholy music is very satisfying for me. I also wanted to add more textures and fullness to the overall sound of the songs on this album. Lyrically the songs explore themes of obsessive love, grief, and existential dread.
And can you tell us about the single, “For Keeps” as well? How did the video come together?
(Lexy) I wrote the song “For Keeps” after binging Yellowjackets lol. It’s sort of a horror story love song. It tells the story of someone so obsessively in love with another person that they would do anything to keep them.
(Sarah) “For Keeps” references a well a lot, and Lexy already had the video idea fleshed out in her head, and I envisioned building a fake well in my backyard and a lot of red lighting. I spent about a week making this fake well, and got my two good friends to shoot with me all day for the storyline. We also shot us playing and the house party at my house. Honestly, I just wanted an excuse to throw a party haha.
How did you wind up working with Graveface? You’ve been together since the beginning, correct?
(Lexy) We met Graveface through Nick Bassett and everyone in Whirr. At the time they were working with his label and Night School’s music and overall vibe just worked really well with what Graveface was doing. Yep, we’ve been working with Graveface since our first release.
What was it like making this new album compared to the first release in 2014 and everything since? Is each release a different beast for you as an individual and the band?
(Lexy) Each release has been very different. When we released our first EP we really had no idea what we were doing in terms of production. The first release was very lofi, which was what we wanted at the time, but we’ve learned so much over the years about songwriting and production. We wanted to make sure this release felt very cohesive and not just a bunch of songs thrown together. I think that’s an area that I’ve personally grown in.
What’s gotten easier with time and what has gotten harder?
(Lexy) I think it has mostly gotten easier. For me, it’s easier to be creative the more I learn about recording and using recording software to its full potential. I would say the one thing that has gotten a bit harder is coordinating schedules to write songs and record. Everyone is so busy now that we’re done with college and in our “adult” careers.
How has working with Nick Bassett over all these years been? Assuming it makes it easier to have a familiar face with the releases for each project
(Lexy) It’s been great working with him. His mixes are always so good. I know I can always depend on him to get the sound right because he knows us and our music so well.
Any big tour plans to accompany the album?
(Lexy) Some shows here and there but no tour on the horizon yet. Hopefully though! We would love to do an east coast or UK tour.
I know y’all are busy with other bands like Fawning, does that affect anything?
(Cheyenne) Fawning plays so rarely that it doesn’t affect NS shows too much. Once, Fawning & Night School played the same show, which was a challenge for me haha. Anna is in the band, Ansible, and they play like 4 times a month so she has a much more challenging band schedule.
Any dream collabs for Night School that have yet to be realized?
(Sarah) I think my dream collab for us would be with Cults. Lexy and Madeline Follin’s voices together would be *chefs kiss*.
(Cheyenne) Sabrina Carpenter, lol. I love that girl
(Lexy) Jessica Pratt! She’s one of my absolute favorites. Her writing and vocal style is so unique, I definitely look up to her.
How much money can I offer you to do a Camera Shy reunion for my wedding?
(Cheyenne) I just have to say I’ve always said that I was Camera Shy’s #1 fan so I support this
(Lexy) Lol at Cheyenne’s response, it’s true though haha. Camera Shy has still, to this day, never played a show and probably never will, but if we did, a wedding would be super sweet. And congrats on tying the knot!
Are you hip to Orange Hell? Feels similar to the CS vibe, just spookier
(Lexy) Never heard of them, I’l have to check it out!
All things Night School can be found here and their Instagram can be found here. My wedding/the first ever Camera Shy show will be announced at the right time.
