Getting To Know The FPSF Locals: Night Drive

Photo:  Scott David Gordon

The most exciting thing about a music festival, is all of the various genres that come into play.  The festival world alongside the music industry today, has tons of electronic acts that are just as amazing to see live as the music they create.  When it comes to this year’s Free Press Summer Festival, the mixtures of varying forms of electronica are as impressive as the diversity in the lineup is.  One of those electronica acts, the Houston/Austin duo known as Night Drive; brings a mix of eighties synths and varying instruments to create a sound the band calls future wave.  After a tragic incident brought the two together, the music they create is almost as dark as the tragedy itself.  But, when you combine that darkness with dancey synths and a multitude of remixed tracks, what you get is a sound that mixes the old with the new in a whole new way.  FPH caught up with the group to find out what they have planned for everyone at the festival this year.

FPH:  You guys have a very catchy but not overly poppy electronica sound.  How would you describe the music of Night Drive to someone who had never heard it before?

NIGHT DRIVE: It’s like watching the fim Gattaca in a Tokyo subway station, but Ethan Hawke has been replaced by David Bowie.

FPH:  You two have a very interesting situation as a band, due to the fact that one of you lives in Houston, and one of you lives in Austin.  How do you get together to make music and to practice?

NIGHT DRIVE:  We have 2 separate studios. We work on stuff remotely, but we get the most done when we’re in the same room. So yeah, we travel a lot.

FPH:  I like that you seem to really understand how to get some longevity out of your releases by dropping remixed versions of much of your songs.  Have you done that to actually get more life out of things or is it just a coincidence?

NIGHT DRIVE:  It wasn’t really a strategy. Brandon DJs so we’re already into the remix culture. It just seemed like a natural step in the process, and its has its benefits.

FPH:  Your most recent release is the “Easy To Lie” single, and then the remixes of that song.  Is there another full length in the works and how did you come to work with those who remixed the track for you?

NIGHT DRIVE:  Our full-length is actually done. We haven’t announced the release date yet . We try to time our releases with things going on that we find interesting. Some people might have noticed that we released Young Rivals on the same day NASA launched a new satellite into space.

FPH:  You are part of the Red Bull Sound Select series.  Can you explain that process and how working with Red Bull is great for an artist today, for those who don’t understand how it works?

NIGHT DRIVE:  Artists can be very skeptical of pairing up with big companies…and for good reason. However, the RBSS program really puts the music first and provides a great climate for exposure and networking. A number of Night Drive remixes have been RBSS artists. Basically, they’ve hand picked a small group of artists and involve them in a bunch of local and national events across the country. They do a lot of things that labels don’t seem to have revenue to do these days. We’re very fortunate to be a part of it. Last year we performed at “30 Days In LA” and it was a blast!

FPH:  Night Drive really seems to pull in a great crowd in Austin as well as in Houston.  What do you have planned for those who attend Free Press Summer Fest when you perform?

NIGHT DRIVE:  We always try to bring a new element to shows, especially at big memorable shows such as this one. We do have a few surprises up our sleeve, we’ll give you a one-word clue: Parabolic.
The duo is known for a crazy live show, they’ve dropped a great slew of singles, and they seem to be on the track to something larger.  While they gear up to bring surprises to their set at this year’s festival, check out all of their music now while you still can.  Because if they stay on the track they’re on, this band could be playing the big stages of the festival circuit sooner than later.

by David Garrick