{"id":42020,"date":"2014-07-07T21:43:07","date_gmt":"2014-07-08T02:43:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=42020"},"modified":"2014-07-07T21:43:07","modified_gmt":"2014-07-08T02:43:07","slug":"interview-with-ben-christo-of-night-by-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2014\/interview-with-ben-christo-of-night-by-night\/","title":{"rendered":"Ben Christo of Night By Night"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Alexandra Mrozowska<\/span>
\n– Columnist —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From Kerrang! and Metal Hammer to Classic Rock and Fireworks, Night By Night are gaining enthusiastic reviews from every rock-oriented media outlet. With their unique, \u201880s-AOR-meets-contemporary-rock sound, this UK-based melodic rock act is on their way to conquer the world with their debut album NxN being just released. The band\u2019s guitarist \u2013 and the current axeman of Sisters Of Mercy \u2013 Ben Christo caught up with Hardrock Haven to talk in detail about Night By Night, their inspirations and plans for the future.<\/p>\n

\"NightByNightBand2\"<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: With so many enthusiastic reviews of your debut album, do you feel as if you were pioneering \u201ca new wave of hard rock\u201d with your music indeed? <\/p>\n

Ben Christo: It\u2019s been fantastic and incredibly rewarding to get this sort of feedback \u2013 especially for a debut album! The interesting \u2013 and quite cool – thing about these \u2018new-wave\u2019 plaudits is that we haven\u2019t consciously strived to achieve them. The development of the sound has been pretty organic; simply a combination of all the things we like about rock, AOR and metal music.
\nFor me, the key to the rock & metal music I love to listen to is emotional power. Be that through a compulsive riff, an uplifting chorus, an emotive melody or harmony, a persuasive lyric, effective key change or something in the song\u2019s structure or arrangement, it\u2019s gotta reach out, wrench me in and leave me momentarily breathless. That concept has always given me a barometer by which to measure if what we\u2019re creating is something that I find either \u2018stock\u2019 or \u2018special\u2019 \u2013 does it have that \u2018emotional power\u2019? Of course, this is subjective, and what makes me feel this sense of musical excitement may not have the same effect on others. But NxN like to trust in this feeling when we write; we aren\u2019t content until we hit upon it. It\u2019s that moment when we look around the room and everyone is grinning at each other because we all feel it\u2019s \u2018right\u2019. If this focus on emotional power is carving out a new sound, then that\u2019s wonderful, because it\u2019s real.
\nI remember once reading the words \u2018just do what you love and the rest will eventually follow\u2019 and I really think that\u2019s true in all vocations. What we\u2019ve done on this debut is what we love and so it\u2019s sublime that both fans and press all over the world – and I\u2019m talking as far flung as Brazil to Australia to Poland to Greece to Canada and beyond \u2013 are writing to us as and telling us how much they like our music! The accolade of a \u2018new wave\u2019 is incredibly complimentary and I am so excited that we\u2019re getting this simply making the music we\u2019ve always wanted to make. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: What do you think are the strongest points of NxN? <\/p>\n

Ben Christo: Great question (laughs). In terms of strength, I think we are all passionate, experienced and dedicated musicians, something I feel that you can hear in the performances. Concurrently, there\u2019s an authenticity to the writing and playing, because, as I said, everyone loves and believes in the music we are making. I hope that\u2019s one of the elements that people are looking into; the \u2018realness\u2019 of it. I\u2019m also pretty pleased with the lyrics, as I spent a lot of time on them. I wanted them to accurately convey my feelings in a way that gave me catharsis (and thus add to the work\u2019s authenticity) but still retain an enigmatic quality that let the listener find his or her own meaning therein. I think these are two of the most important aspects of lyrics, particularly in rock and alternative music \u2013 the writer\u2019s authentic expression which then leads to the listener\u2019s unique emotional response.
\nOn a more literal level, there are some great performances from the guys; Henry\u2019s soaring vocals, Tom\u2019s blistering leads, Damien\u2019s explosive fills and Jon\u2019s well thought-out bass lines (and I love his backing vocals, he has such a unique tone which has a really nice classic rock, Paul Rogers edge).<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: The band\u2019s unique style is a combination of modern sound and \u201880s melodic rock influences. What are your main inspirations music-wise?<\/p>\n

Ben Christo: How\u2019s about this – here are 10 bands that have influenced me across the years and why I like them: Sevendust (power, aggression, authenticity, soul); Strangeways (melody, harmony, song-writing sophistication and musicianship); AC\/DC (unequivocal, addictive, unites people, truthful, rocking); Boysetsfire (meaningful, authentic, powerful, lyrically sophisticated); The Cure (addictive, unique voice, sonically cinematic, ethereal, great pop sensibilities, lyrically enigmatic); Def Leppard (anthemic, melodic, nice key changes, thought-out vocal harmonies); The Cult (soulful, inimitable, persuasive, swaggering, enigmatic); Judas Priest (melodically sophisticated yet compulsively simple, powerful, rousing, aggressive, cinematic and hugely charismatic); Strung Out (catchy, melodic, incredible musicianship, authentic); Nik Kershaw (heartstopping key changes and modulations, inventive and a truly inimitable sound).<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: The lyrics are also somewhat sophisticated as for the genre. What does inspire you to write \u2013 the world outside, or whatever happens in your personal life?<\/p>\n

Ben Christo: Thank you for saying so. I guess that the lyrics reflect less of our melodic rock influences and more of the modern, alt rock and metal we like; bands like Thrice, BSF and Manic Street Preachers; all of whom that have penned lyrics that have stopped me in my tracks to pore over the lyrics!
\nFor me, it\u2019s always got to be personal; I can only write with authenticity that which I have felt – even with the songs that aren\u2019t sung from the \u2018first person\u2019. For example, \u201cHolding Onto Holding On\u201d, documents the respective struggles of a separate male and female, but the imagery and concepts therein are all derived from things I\u2019ve experienced in some way at some time, even if that\u2019s something I\u2019ve felt through the empathy of someone else plight. For example, the lines: \u201cBarricaded the door\/in silhouette\/he woke the dead again\/through the hours beneath\/stuttered like grief\/he couldn\u2019t face the light\u201dcombine literal and metaphorical imagery that resonates with me, although I\u2019ve never actually experienced that \u2018scenario\u2019 as such. Elsewhere, the lyrics are intensely autobiographical, as in \u201cThe Moment\u201d: \u201cHit the lights\/I\u2019ll try to write you down tonight\/Can\u2019t define\/beyond the exit sign.\u201d
\nThis documents events, places, a person, thoughts and feelings that I experienced first-hand, although they aren\u2019t constructed here in a \u2018linear\u2019 fashion; they are snapshots of a myriad of moments that occurred during a certain episode of my life which shift back and forth across time and location. <\/p>\n

\"NightByNightBand1\"<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Are there any stories behind the songs (or recording them!) you\u2019d like to share with our readers?<\/p>\n

Ben Christo: \u201cNever Die Again\u201d almost wasn\u2019t on the record. We were due to go into the studio, but only had nine songs (there are ten on the album) and \u2018some ideas\u2019 for a 10th that weren\u2019t up to scratch. We begrudgingly resigned to the idea of a 9-track album, when a schedule mix-up at the studio meant our session was postponed by a week. We were suddenly blessed with an extra 7 days! We knuckled-down and spent an intense week writing \u201cNever Die Again\u201d. I remember battling to complete the lyrics at about 4:13AM before we went into the studio, not to mention myself, Damien and Jonny agonizing over the arrangement (\u201chow long should this section of silence be?\u201d), just hours before we were due to lay down the drums! It turned out to be one of our favourite songs on the album, with a lyric that I\u2019m really proud of. The pressure pushed us – we HAD to produce the goods, there was no choice. As a consequence, there\u2019s a definite theme of \u2018triumph over adversity\u2019 to the song that I think is audible both in the way we wrote it and performed on the recording. \u201cNever Die Again\u201d pushed us to the edge of our abilities – you\u2019ll hear furious drum fills from Damien, searing shred from Tom and emotive vocals from Henry that move all over the spectrum. It\u2019s like everyone went the extra mile on this one, which is very much what the song is about.
\nWith \u201cTime to Escape\u201d, we decided to adopt the methodology of legendary songwriter Desmond Child. Come up with a title first and from then on, every aspect of the songwriting has to be related to that title. In this way, everything is \u2018relevant\u2019 from the offset and anything that isn\u2019t congruent to the title is dropped. It was a really exciting and focused way of working. The title itself was by using the technique of opening a random book at a random page and using the first words you see. The book was Generation X by Douglas Coupland. I\u2019d like to use this \u2018title-first\u2019 technique a lot more on album 2. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: The album\u2019s producer Romesh Dodangoda (Funeral For A Friend and Bullet For My Valentine) may not be a well-known name in melodic rock circles. Please tell us about this collaboration and the influence that he exerted over the album.<\/p>\n

Ben Christo: We wanted choruses and 3-part vocal harmonies that captured our love for \u201880s and melodic rock \u2013 but we didn\u2019t want to simply emulate our heroes and make a record that sounded like, say, Dokken or Dare in 1988. What would be the point? That\u2019s already been done \u2013 and done very well, I might add \u2013 by Dokken and Dare! We wanted to take our heritage and thrust it into 2014 by combining it with the sounds of the 21st century that we love and we knew that Romesh, with his hard-hitting and upfront, modern production would be instrumental in doing this. He really delivered. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: A few months ago you played dates with Europe and also, in the past, you supported the likes of Y&T or The Quireboys. Which of these has been the most important moment to you?<\/p>\n

Ben Christo: Y&T was really significant, because they hand-picked us to be their support. They didn\u2019t need an opening act, as they have a very strong, loyal and significant UK following (which I attribute to the fact that they always deliver live). Singer, Dave, also made a habit of praising us to the audience during their set, remarks like \u201cgreat to see a young band who can all really sing and who do it all for real\u201d. That was incredible for me \u2013 this is a band I used to listen to when I was doing my paper round – and here they are, endorsing us to halls of 1,500 people every night! It was especially significant because he picked up on one of the things we most pride ourselves on \u2013 the live vocal harmonies.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Is there anyone else you\u2019d like to share the stage with in the future?<\/p>\n

Ben Christo: Supporting the likes of Alter Bridge, Shinedown and Hinder would be hugely beneficial in expanding our fan-base. On a personal level, getting to support Def Leppard would be incredible, because they are the band that first made me want to play guitar and write music! <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Alongside your tenure Night By Night, you\u2019re also a guitarist in the cult rock band Sisters Of Mercy. Are there any difficulties arising from the fact of both activities being parallel?<\/p>\n

Ben Christo: The Sisters\u2019 activities are occasional, spaced-out and scheduled at least 6 months in advance, so there has very rarely been a clash. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Yet about Sisters Of Mercy \u2013 since quite a few years, the band remains a touring outfit only. Is this tendency going to continue, or are there any recording sessions in the pipeline?<\/p>\n

Ben Christo: There\u2019re no plans to NOT make a new record. Although, it\u2019s been about 21 years since the last recording, so it may be fair to assume that nothing new is going to happen any time soon. But I wouldn\u2019t be overtly surprised if Eldritch claimed he wanted to record an album \u2026 tomorrow. You can\u2019t second-guess him.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: What are your other plans for the near future? Any touring in the pipeline again?<\/p>\n

Ben Christo: We have two album launch shows in the UK on the week of the release \u2013 17.7 at the London Borderline and 18.7 at the Bolton Railway Venue. We want to be on the road as much as possible as we need to promote the album; our issue at the moment is that we don\u00b4t have a live agent to continuously coordinate our gigs – an incredibly important role. Saying that, we are in the procces of confirming shows for Sept\/Oct in the UK and Europe (Poland, Czech Repubic and possibly Germany). We want to shoot a second video to release around the same time of those dates, just trying to decide which track. <\/p>\n

\"NightByNightBand4\"<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Thank you for the interview! Maybe you\u2019d like to add something in the end\u2026?<\/p>\n

Ben Christo: Thanks for reading! If you like Night by Night and believe in what we are doing, please spread the word about us, tell your friends, request our music from club and radio DJs, write to \u2018zines and press about us, join in the community and generally support rock music – because that\u2019s the best way that we can all keep this going. Stay connected with us by joining our newsletter at www.nxnofficial.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Alexandra Mrozowska – Columnist — From Kerrang! and Metal Hammer to Classic Rock and Fireworks, Night By Night are gaining enthusiastic reviews from every rock-oriented media outlet. With their unique, \u201880s-AOR-meets-contemporary-rock sound, this UK-based […]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":42025,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10850],"tags":[9549,203,2901,9516,9550],"class_list":{"0":"post-42020","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arcint2014","8":"tag-ben-christo","9":"tag-interview","10":"tag-melodic-rock","11":"tag-night-by-night","12":"tag-sisters-of-mercy"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42020","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42020"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42020\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42025"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42020"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42020"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42020"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}