INTERVIEW: Nikk Banos of Defy You Stars #2

It’s been a few months since we last spoke. How have you been?
I’ve been good! Kicking it back before things start moving forward.
The band’s gone through a bit of a line-up change since then. How has Nikko [Evans, bass] adjusted to being in the band?
It’s been super natural and it feels right. I can’t imagine playing with anyone else in the band. We get along so well and it’s been a good time.
Do you feel this is the line-up Defy You Stars will be sticking with for the foreseeable future?
We are considering pulling in a live lead guitarist and a pianist, but the three of us will probably always be the foundation of this. We’re really happy with how things are going right now.
You guys have announced the track listing for your upcoming album. Are there any songs in particular you’re excited for fans to hear?
I’m excited for all of them, some less than others. I feel like I’ve outgrown a song or two on it, but that’s just because I’m always on hyper speed and onto the next thing - I’ve already started writing record #2, haha. I’m super stoked for “Scared For You”, “Wild Fires” and “Like Glass”; the last few days, I’ve been having fun playing “Pressure” too.
Do you have a release date in mind?
I do, but can’t say. [We’re releasing a] new single in the next few weeks, though.
You’ll be playing a holiday headlining show on December 19th. What are you excited for, in regards to it?
It’s kind of scary because we haven’t played since August and it’s our first show with Nikko. We’re going to have fun though, and it’s a good way to jump back in. I’m excited for the Christmas theme; we are going to wear hats, sweaters [and] we got Christmas lights – it’s going to be wicked. [We’ll be playing] new songs too!
2014 has been a pretty big year for Defy You Stars. What would you say has been your highlight of 2014?
Warped Tour was pretty great, but the best parts were probably planning for 2015. We learned so much tracking this record and planning, and we’re on a whole new cloud now. 2015 is going to hopefully be our year.
Can you let us in on any of your plans?
I bet you’d like to know. ;)
If there were one thing you could change about the music industry, what would it be?
I’d have every record label want to sign Defy You Stars!
Final question: what is your guilty pleasure?
“Night Changes” by One Direction is mine. Nikko likes “Wicked Games” by The Weeknd.
Check out our previous interviews with Defy You Stars HERE and HERE.
By Clare Fitzgerald
