Q&A: Jump Into the Rabbit Hole of Nathan Day’s Newest Single, “Friends”
AS A SINGER, SONGWRITER, AND DIRECTOR — Nathan Day’s creativity is boundless. At an early age, the UK-based artist dreamed about launching a band with a group of imaginary friends, and today, he has brought this vision to life. Music captivated Day in elementary school, as he stumbled upon a piano in the main hall of school. Striking a note and hearing the echo of the sound immediately hooked Day. Fasting forward to post high school, he was a part of the band Darlia and toured alongside The 1975, Nothing But Thieves, Gerard Way, and more. However, the waves of inactivity as a band led Day to a newfound revelation. While being a part of Darlia confirmed Day’s calling to make music, it also revealed to him that he wanted to produce as much music as possible — and he had to do this for himself.
After the breakup of Darlia, Day was homeless, but not hopeless. He held onto his dream and still managed to make music during this time. As of today, Day shares with us his pop-rock alternative sound. Taking a unique approach to his music, Day introduces a cast of imaginary friends to represent the mental illnesses that are reflective in his songs. For instance, “She Came Down Like the Stars” introduces Day’s alien character to symbolize alienation and isolation, while “Fade Like You” introduces Day’s skeleton character to signify the fear of death and existential defeat.
Like all of his visuals, Day directed and produced the music video for “Friends.” This newest single introduces Day’s rabbit character as the 6 '2” musician is dressed in a pink rabbit costume. This costume choice creates a contrast with the dark topics in “Friends,” thus representing the highs and lows of bipolar disorder morphing into one shared experience. Day has developed this artistic concept through his desire to recreate the feeling of fleeting joy. Undeniably, Day’s passion and creativity shine through both his music and his music videos. He is eccentric and extraordinary, drawing you in with his distinct sound and visuals.
Keep reading more to dive into the magical world of Nathan Day!
LUNA: Congratulations on the release of “Friends” — I really dig the space rock sound to it! Can you share a favorite memory from making the track?
DAY: “Space rock” has just become my favorite description, so thank you for that. My favourite memory from making it was probably the second I put the pitch shifter on the word “Friends.” I was immediately just like, “Okay then.”
LUNA: What was the creative process like for making “Friends”? Did you focus on the sound or the lyrics first?
DAY: “Friends” just unfolded out of itself pretty much by pressing record. It was one of those songs that started off as an ad lib but I blinked three times and it was finished. The sound, I think, is purely by accident. Like, however the guitar happens to sound when I press record is how it was meant to be, and that’s how I like it. With the lyrics, I remember recording them before I wrote them down.
LUNA: You direct your own music videos, and may I add, you do an amazing job! I admire the unique storyline that they follow — very captivating! Would you be willing to elaborate on your role as a director?
DAY: Thank you very much! I find it so funny that technically I’m a director. That is definitely an accident. It mainly consists of me staying up until literally 9 a.m. writing a storyboard one night while drinking industrial volumes of Coke Zero, and then trying to explain it to the camera man on the day.
There is a very distinct moment when I shoot music videos that occurs about three minutes after meeting the camera man. It’s when I’ve got the costume on, I’m explaining the shots, there’s a silence, and then a look of, “This is going to be shit.” Are they right or are they wrong? Who knows?
So I just decide the look I want, rent a camera man off the internet (you can do that), do the aforementioned Coke Zero turbo drive sequence and show up with the costume and play whack a mole with every single obstacle that pops up.
I only learnt the editing software in order to make the actual video; I just press things maniacally until it looks how I want. But the best part is being stood there in a bunny costume and trying to have a serious conversation. For “Friends,” my brother stood there in a security outfit, and I just wanted the moment to last forever.
LUNA: The music video for “Friends” represents two polar opposites coming together to create one story. How did you develop this artistic concept? What inspired you?
DAY: The music video for “Friends” is like meeting a specific feeling. I get this feeling sometimes where I could just jump and the wind would carry me to the sky. It’s amazing. It’s like someone has just secretly injected me with happiness. But it doesn’t last, and the video is like meeting it, being enticed by it, and then getting it and feeling indestructible. I normally have the confidence of a shoe, so I want that feeling all the time.
LUNA: I’m definitely a fan of the rabbit costume in your music video for “Friends.” While you have also incorporated an alien costume and a skeleton costume in your previous music videos, is there a deeper intention behind the use of costumes? What role do they play?
DAY: The costumes are me wearing my heart on my sleeve, but literally. They perfectly sum up the feelings I get, and so I wear them to directly talk about it without saying anything.
The alien is about feeling disconnected, like an alien. They’re brief episodes of Derealisation and Depersonalisation I’ve had which were absolutely the trippiest and worst things I’ve ever felt and nothing to do with drugs. It was just major stress because my life crumbled. Skeleton has its own department, and same with the bunny.
LUNA: In terms of who you are personally, if you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
DAY: Wish I Knew.
LUNA: What advice do you wish you would’ve known at the beginning of your musical career?
DAY: Go with your gut. Don’t listen to the negative unless it’s constructive. Keep going.
LUNA: A fun one: what animal best represents who you are and why?
DAY: A Bigfoot. Because only some people believe in me and I live in a cave.
LUNA: Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us, we look forward to seeing what you do next! With that being said, do you have any upcoming projects that you are working on?
DAY: Thanks so much for this lovely interview. I’m currently working on trying to go to bed before it’s light, and new music.
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