INTERVIEW: Nikk Banos of Defy You Stars

How would you describe your music to those who haven’t listened to Defy You Stars before?
We’re really a hybrid of a lot of genres and bands we like. We’ve been called similar to All Time Low, Sleeping With Sirens and a few others. We take a lot of influence from pop, indie, alternative and pop-punk bands, but we have a few screaming parts here and there just because we love bands like Bring Me The Horizon, Underoath, A Day To Remember and so on.
Who were your musical influences growing up and how do you think they’ve helped develop the band’s sound?
My biggest influences were All Time Low, My Chemical Romance, Queen and basically anyone who I thought could write a good song. I know Patrick (our drummer) was a huge Blink-182 and You Me A Six fan, and our bassist Scotty listens to everything from jazz to super aggressive metal. He talks about Victor Wooten and John Legend a lot.
Recently, I’ve been big into John Mayer. Patrick and I are both fanning over 5 Seconds of Summer and we all love the 1975 to death. We just really like to see how different musicians get a message across and listening to different styles and seeing different approaches has helped us define our own styles by mixing and adding up. Musicians all kind of learn from each other.
You recently played the Ernie Ball stage at Warped Tour’s stop in Denver. What was that like?
It was sick! We had a really good crowd response and it was really good for us. It was our first time playing Warped and our first time playing outside, so the temperature hit us all pretty hard. Wind almost carried our merch tent away, which was pretty insane. We were exhausted and burned and we loved it. We met so many people and we all have a whole new appreciation for Warped.
Besides you performance, what would you say was the most memorable moment of the day?
I met Tay Jardine and cried, so that did it for me. Scotty got like 19 numbers and I don’t know about Patrick. I think it was probably playing toward the end of our set and hearing people sing back at us.
What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you at a show?
I know at our first show with Scotty we had a chick come up on stage and start grinding on me. The same show, a bunch of shirtless dudes came up and started dancing, lol. That probably tops it.
I know you’re currently working on your first ever full-length. Is there any information you can give about it?
It’s written and we’ve begun tracking, but due to financial issues it’s taking awhile. I don’t want to say how many tracks or anything too much, but we’re tracking a lot of old and new stuff. That way, everyone can get a cool mixed experience. This record will really show how we’ve evolved.
Where do you get the inspiration for your lyrics?
Just stuff that happens to me, I guess. I try to be honest and express what’s going on. My fans and the stories they tell about their lives inspire me too.
What message do you hope to spread through your music?
I guess there’s a few messages. I struggle a lot with anxiety and I know I’m not the only one. I try to tell people that listen that they aren’t alone. I want to give people the same hope music has given me. I know it’s hard to be positive and smile when everything has been going wrong for a long time and when you feel alone, and I know people struggle with contemplating suicide and cutting. I try to address all of that and tell people to be patient. If you give things time and are optimistic and kind to people, everything will play out in the end. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Things can always get worse, but everything balances out and everyone finds peace in the end.
I can’t help everyone and I can’t change the world for them, but I can give them a reason to smile and dance for three and a half minutes.
Social Media is a major tool for up-and-coming bands. How would you say it’s helped Defy You Stars’ growth?
It’s done a lot, seeing as we only have two recorded songs. Instagram and Twitter are huge for us communicating with fans, since we haven’t had the ability to tour yet. We’re really internet friendly and I spend like everyday talking to people. We like to cheer people up and be really hands on. I know one of our fans (who lives in London) was struggling with cutting and I’ll talk to her every few day to see how she’s doing. Social media helps the world not feel so small. I hate to call them fans because I consider them to be friends and family now.
What would you say if your guilty pleasure (music, TV shows, movies, etc)?
Speaking for myself, I love Doctor Who, Sherlock and a bunch of English shows. I also love Teen Wolf and silly pop artists like Bruno Mars and 5 Seconds of Summer. Patrick watches Cops and basically anything with shooting. I love Leo Dicaprio and films that are based off books, like John Green and The Fault In Our Stars.
We also eat a lot.
What is your favourite song at the moment?
“St. Patrick” by PVRIS, “Settle Down” by The 1975, “In Your Atmosphere” by John Mayer, “Beside You” by 5 Seconds of Summer, “Never Lose Your Flames” by Issues… needless to say, I have a few. Patrick likes “No One Does It Better” by You Me At Six and the other day, I saw Scotty jamming to Neck Deep and Northlane.
Final question: what is your go-to karaoke song?
“Bohemian Rhapsody” because Queen are perfect.
You can find Defy You Stars’ music, as well as links to their social media sites, on our “Featured Artist” page HERE.
By Clare Fitzgerald
