Nocturnal Me

We recently were given the chance to speak with Nocturnal Me frontman Dave Melillo, to discuss Nocturnal Me's new EP Too, his past with Cute Is What We Aim For, and his future with Nocturnal Me. Here's what was said...

Maria@RRR: Thanks for taking time to do this interview. Can you please state your name and your position in the band?

Dave Melillo: My name is Dave Melillo and I sing in Nocturnal Me

Maria@RRR: Guide us through the writing and recording process for your new EP titled Too.

Dave Melillo: Too is a very unique EP because it was tracked in two separate locations with two different production crews. 3 of the songs were recorded out at the Hurley Studios in Costa Mesa with Allan Hessler and Matt Appleton. It was great to go out there because we got a completely different vibe than we usually do when we record in Buffalo/Western New York as well as some different perspectives on our music ... The song "Second Chance" and the remix of "This Isn't Love" were both done in Buffalo, NY with our long time producer Mike Brylinski.

Maria@RRR: Why did you decide to simply name your EP "Too?"

Dave Melillo: The name Too was derived from the fact that these songs are additions to our debut EP. I felt like the debut, self titled EP was rushed and the songs on "Too" are a much better representation of what we wanted to do the first time around ... In short, it's an amendment

Maria@RRR: What’s the significance of your name Nocturnal Me?

Dave Melillo: It's a song title of one of my favorite bands, "Echo and The Bunnymen"  and it's a dissertation on what I wanted to address lyrically with this band. With the songs we write/produce I want to paint a picture of night life from my perspective ... Our generation exists in the confines of clubs and bars, but most of the time the story is told from an affluent position ... These songs are written about the same places and the same situations, but from a much more desperate and vexed standpoint

Maria@RRR: After you left Nocturnal Me, your old band were dropped, and now Shaant is using the name as a solo project, more or less. Firstly, why did you leave Cute, and are you annoyed that Shaant has kept the name, while you're working hard to establish a new name?

Dave Melillo: I left Cute because I need to live my life and not some else's and I'm not annoyed that Shaant kept the name at all. It's his band and I'm stoked he finally took control of it again

Maria@RRR: How do you think the members' previous positions in Cute Is What We Aim For have influenced the sound of Nocturnal Me?

Dave Melillo: There are definitely hints of the "cute" sound in a couple of the songs, mainly because Jeff (guitarist) wrote most of the music in Cute as well as NocMe. Beyond that I'd say we were more influenced in the business realm after our time in Cute

Maria@RRR: Shaant recently spoke about his alcohol problems - presumbably something that contributed towards the you leaving Cute - and said that his problems were resolved. Would you ever consider being a part of CIWWAF again?

Dave Melillo: I can't see it happening. It's like an ex girlfriend you know ? It seems like a great idea to hook up with her again, but it would most likely be the worst decision ever

Maria@RRR: Focusing on Nocturnal Me again, what are some things you are hoping to achieve with the band?

Dave Melillo: I really just want to have a good time making music and being in a band. I've never had a long term positive experience being in a band and NocMe was created to change all of that

Maria@RRR: Is the band writing for a full-length album at all? If so, what direction are these songs taking in comparison to the songs on your self-titled and new EP?

Dave Melillo: No full length in the works just yet, but we do plan on releasing EP's until we decide to take that next step. As you can probably hear on Too we're crafting a much funkier sound ("Every Other Time") as well as a more aggressive altrock sound ("Smash It Up") ... Incubus is one of my favorite bands and I most definitely take their lead when writing new songs and looking for directional inspiration

Maria@RRR: What does the future hold in store for Nocturnal Me?

Dave Melillo: During the summer we'll be putting together another EP ... I hope to do something more electronic/r&b influenced, but who knows. For us it's all about releasing great songs and letting the rest unfold naturally

Maria@RRR: Before you leave us, do you have any crazy tour stories you’d like to share? Previous stories include strippers and FBI agents...

Dave Melillo: Haaaa ... this winter en route to some shows with Craig Owens we slept on I-90 because we were snowed in the van. All we had to eat were some cupcakes and a case of redbull ... Minds were lost, nerves were shattered but we became a closer band for it

Too is out now, independently. Our review of the EP can be read here.