New Jersey pop-punk band Northvale offers an infectious lively preview of upcoming LP, Where Do We Go When There is Nothing Left with their second single "You Up?" featuring Nick Thompson of Hit The Lights.
Out of many bands that have broken through within the pop-punk scene, New Jersey pop-punk quintet Northvale arguably has deserved some well-deserved attention as of late.
“On my way to Aren’s apartment, the chorus hit me, “You only need me in your lonely moments." As soon as I got inside the apartment, Mike, Aren, and I just built it from there. It all came out all at once. I think that’s because it’s such a relatable song. I think that a lot of people can connect with being that person that falls victim to being used at another person’s convenience.”
Their breakthrough powerful 2019 EP The Things We Used To Be would take the band to new heights within the genre, showing Northvale's unique sound. Their kinetic melodic sound backed with emotional lyrical presence would seem to make a resounding statement of the band's future intentions for what would come. All of which makes us excited for their second latest single, "You Up," off their upcoming LP Where Do We Go When There’s Nothing Left. A lively, high-charged melodic sound accompanied by Nick Thompson of Hit The Lights, Northvale are adding to their sound in bold ways with this new release.
Instrumentally, the sounds for this current release, "You Up?," are vastly different than your prior EP release, and I'll even say the last single "Good Intentions." Where there was more heaviness or melodic touches in prior full release and this last single, I feel there is this infectious bounce behind that power now, What made you change direction for this particular track?
This song is interesting because it deviated from our normal writing process. Usually, Mike and Chris are battling back and forth on an idea for a song. Mike comes from a more post-hardcore background and Chris from more of a pop-punk background. The two of them will sit down and track an entirely instrumental, sometimes even with drums and some vocals, and then the rest of us get our hands on it and we tear it down and rebuild it.
Chris originally shot the idea for a chorus over to Mike and they both decided that it would be cool to structure a song around a catchy chorus. Everything else kind of fell into place around the melodies and structure they built into the chorus.
You were working with Nick Thompson of Hit The Lights for this release, in many ways you can def feel those influences pulses right through this track. What was it like working with him on this release?
We were all fans of Hit The Lights growing up so getting to work with Nick was awesome. It’s cool when you meet someone whose music you’re into and then you find out that they’re super cool people. It makes it that much better.
Once we realized that we wanted this song to be a single, we all agreed on reaching out to Nick because we knew that he would completely fit the vibe for this track. He sent over an idea for his part and I don’t think we changed a single thing. So stoked he was a part of this.
I want to jump on the lyrical content of "You Up." In some ways, it feels like this could have been on your The Things We Used To Be EP as far as lyrical tone. Where were you guys at when you decided to write this song?
I think that the darker instrumental tone struck a nerve with me and pulled out a lot of repressed, past experiences; so you’re right in saying that it could have been on the old EP. I sat around with the verses for a while because I knew what I wanted to say but I didn’t know how to say it.
On my way to Aren’s apartment, the chorus hit me, “You only need me in your lonely moments." As soon as I got inside the apartment, Mike, Aren, and I just built it from there. It all came out all at once. I think that’s because it’s such a relatable song. I think that a lot of people can connect with being that person that falls victim to being used at another person’s convenience.
What is this release bringing forth this year that maybe past releases have not presented in the past to listeners?
This track shows listeners our diversity and capability of different tones. I think it’s cool for our fans to understand the origin and the blend of the Northvale sound comes from. I think the album is going to showcase a lot of different sounds and tones. We’re trying not to conform ourselves to the idea of a single genre or sound.
What is next for you guys?
This single is technically the second of our single releases leading up to the release of our first LP, Where Do We Go When There’s Nothing Left, so stay tuned! Other than that, we’re excited that we can finally get back to playing live shows. Our next one is in Asbury Park, NJ at The House of Independence, opening for The Spill Canvas with Kulick and Painted Young. We hope to be able to announce a lot more dates than that soon.