Hazy Eye Music Media is proud to post another interview in a series of interviews I’m currently conducting with some of my favorite artists. I’m stepping outside of my comfort zone and have begun picking the brains of some phenomenal musicians. This time I, Andy Jillson, was fortunate enough to interview Nick Sadler aka Nicholas Andrew Sadler.

 Sadler is a musical artist most known as the guitarist for experimental rock band Daughters. He has established himself as unique guitar player and intensely passionate and creative musician. Continue reading below for my full interview with Nick Sadler.

AJ: Hi Nick! How are you?!?

NS: Hello – still here.

AJ: For those readers who may not know, can you tell us a little bit about who you are, types of music you play, and what instruments you play? How would you describe yourself and what you do professionally?

NS: I’ll play any kind of music if it speaks to me; I try to keep an open mind. I am currently playing guitar and writing songs in a rock band called Daughters and playing bass/co-authoring songs in a post-punk band called Way Out. I also compose music for film, television, and web content.

AJ: Any news/updates about Daughters you’re able to share? (rehearsals, new album, videos, live releases, collaborations, tour etc.)

NS: We really don’t have much to announce other than we are making an attempt at putting together a new album. Otherwise, all shows are postponed indefinitely.

Stream You Won’t Get Want You Want by Daughters on Spotify

AJ: How did you end up being signed to Ipecac records? Have you ever met Mike Patton or collaborated w/ him or any other Ipecac artists in any way?

NS: I have met Mike Patton, but we have not collaborated. It seems he was paying attention to our releases going as far back as Hell Songs. In 2016 we toured with the experimental hip-hop group Dalek who also have releases on Ipecac, but who are close with Patton. This is how he heard we were writing a new album. A couple of years later our drummer Jon became the Tour Manager for Dead Cross, which presented the opportunity for Jon and Mike to hang out and listen to our demos.

AJ: I’m a huge fan of You Won’t Get What You Want. Can you talk about how that album came to be, what the recording process was like, and how your fans/audiences reacted to the album and supporting shows?

NS: It took me about 6 years to make YWGWYW between two jobs, and having no money or resources. We attempted to make as much of the album together as possible, but with members living in different states with varying responsibilities, it sort of fell on me to do the bulk of the work. We spoke often though and listened to countless demos and alternate versions of some of the music on the album via a shared drop box account.

AJ: Was the band expecting such an overwhelming response to YWGWYW?

NS: Not at all. Even now that the album cycle is over, I still haven’t been able to accept how the year unfolded for us. It wasn’t planned as a release to make us more visible – just another attempt to entertain ourselves and be creatively satisfied.

AJ: How have you been staying active/keeping yourself busy since coronavirus altered our world?

NS: I haven’t been doing much, truthfully.

AJ: Have you written any new music or worked on any other projects during 2019-2020?

NS: Here and there, but I feel quite disoriented in isolation; during this civil unrest, and amidst a pretty rotten personal life, so I’m being quit private about all of that right now.

AJ: When and where was the last Daughters show? What do you remember about it? Anything particularly interesting about your last live performance?

NS: The last show of the YWGWYW tour was in Boston, MA (12/21/19). I remember that I had a great time that night; I felt that the band sounded good and performed well. Playing locally after having seen the hits of success that we’ve gained in the last year was a strange thing to me. I could look out at the audience full of unfamiliar faces and see folks I know from my real life at home peppered throughout. I find myself able to get into the performance head space best when I feel like I don’t see anyone I know in the crowd, so to have people from jobs I worked there to support was a little dissonant or contrasty: I wonder if its weird for them to see me in that particular light?

AJ: I mainly cover shows in DC, MD, and VA; and most of my readers attend shows in the DMV. Any particular shows and/or venues in this area you’re fond of? Any good memories or stories from DC, MD, or VA?

NS: The first show of YWGWYW was at Strange Matter in Richmond, VA (which I believe is gone now?). It was Halloween and there was this amazing local death rock band on the bill – I wish I could find their name, but I’m not able to hunt down a listing online. We’ve played countless shows in these cities going back to 2002 – it would be difficult to pick out anything specific.

AJ: What have you been listening to? Any particular artists and/or albums you’ve recently discovered or rediscovered?

NS: I really haven’t listened to anything other than Mark Kozelek in probably 18 months.

AJ: Have you watched or read anything interesting lately?

NS: I read a lot of psych books and self-help stuff. Nothing in particular to recommend.

AJ: What are your best memories/proudest moments of being a musician?

NS: The entirety of 2019 was one long proud moment for me and for Daughters, especially because we didn’t set out to have that kind of year. The listener response was really empowering and I am most proud of the direct emotional connection the music has had on some people – really gives what I/we do a sense of deeper meaning. For that alone I could go on making albums.

AJ: Most embarrassing and/or awkward moments playing live?

NS: Plenty. Plenty. I’m not even sure how I could lay any of that out for you here.

AJ: What are your favorite Daughters songs to play live?

NS: I like to perform “Satan in the Wait.”

AJ: Who are a couple of your favorite bands you’ve been on tour with?

NS: I believe it or not, I had a blast touring with Stone Temple Pilots and The Flaming Lips while on tour in an older band I was in called Fang Island. Those were very strange tours to be a part of, but it was a great time in our lives, so I’ll always look back fondly. I was particularly proud of being able to tour with everyone Daughters toured with in 2019 – a lot of people I was elated to think of as peers and had wished for years prior to YWGWYW that I could share a stage with.

AJ: Any advice for struggling musicians?

NS: I’m not sure. I have literally never tried to “make it” which has removed a lot of what would’ve been struggle for me. I have however eaten tons and tons of shit just trying to make music a priority in my life – endless sacrifices as well. I guess I could suggest that you keep going, keep pushing yourself to be creative, and only do it if it is truly bringing you happiness (in some form).

AJ: You’re able to have your own personalized “I’d rather be” bumper sticker. What does yours say? I’d rather be…?

NS: “I’d rather not be”

AJ: Thanks Nick! Fin.

Watch Daughters’ “Guest House” video on YouTube:

Much gratitude and respect for Mr. Sadler. Hazy Eye Music Media appreciates his willingness and openness. Stream You Won’t Get Want You Want and Hell Songs by Daughters on Spotify: