Night Jobs
Scene Point Blank: Correct me if I'm wrong, but is this your first Fest as a band? (Have you attended before, as fans or in other bands?)
Matthew Day: This Fest is both a first for Night Jobs, and the three of us individually. I am excited we have the opportunity to go on a Southern Road Show.
Scene Point Blank: How did you get on this year's lineup? What was the application/approval like for you?
Matthew Day: Our drummer Dan takes tall the credit, but I believe he sent an email and we crossed our fingers. I do know that we are really proud of our latest EP, Never Happener. What better way to harness that confidence than trying for a spot at Fest? We also know that our songs can't hide the bands that influence them/us, and many of those bands are/have played Fest in Gainesville.
Scene Point Blank: I believe I said something to the effect of "this sounds like a Fest band" when I reviewed your first EP. (If not, I definitely thought that to myself.) How has this segment of the music scene influenced you?
Matthew Day: Speaking for myself, I wouldn't be able to find a Fest poster that had less than 10 bands whose music heavily influenced me. Some of those dearest to my heart actually came out of Gainesville. This year is special to me because Braid is playing. You'll find me at the show nerding out.
Scene Point Blank: You've released a few EPs so far. What do you like about this format, compared to full-length albums, for example?
Matthew Day: Night Jobs started on a framework of songs that came from previous musical projects that fizzled. Those tunes helped us become comfortable playing together, and eventually writing together. It was obvious that every new song build on that. EPs and 7”s are a great vehicle to document the growth of a band in their early years. Honestly the biggest difference recording an EP, versus an album, is the budget. It's really affordable, and doesn't require more than a couple days in a studio. We are very fortunate in Minneapolis to have people like Andy Mathison and Adam Tucker recording and producing bands. However, we are currently writing what will become our first full-length.
Scene Point Blank: With the modern music industry, it seems like singles and EPs hold more weight than ever, arguably making albums less relevant. Do you think the format of a release affects the live show in any way?
Matthew Day: Streaming services do give the impression that individual, “plays” hold a lot of weight. Those numbers lose all meaning when you're in a room with an artist. There's no tool that The Expensive Suits can use to measure that connection. However, it is fun that artists can easily stagger out a few singles leading up to a full-length release so, when they come to town, you can already sing along to some new stuff.
Scene Point Blank: What do you have planned for your set at FEST 21?
Matthew Day: Hoping the venue will let us burn an effigy of Ron DeSantis, haha!
Honestly, we want to share the songs we're proud of, and do it louder than the soundperson wants.
Scene Point Blank: What other bands are you looking forward to seeing?
Matthew Day: Omg! What a line up! You'll find us nerding out to Braid, Quicksand, Gorilla Biscuits, Less Than Jake, Chris Gethard, Into It. Over It., Strike Anywhere, and a bunch more.
Scene Point Blank: FEST is a stacked lineup. Have a sales pitch on why people who haven't heard Night Jobs should come check you out?
Matthew Day: One of the best ways to deal with the bummers that life brings is to gather with others and sing at the top of your lungs. Night Jobs delivers that, one loud bummed out singalong after another. You've never heard being sad sound so damn fun.
Scene Point Blank: Since this is your first Fest, what have people told you about it ahead of time? Do you get word of mouth advice about pacing yourselves or sound system tips or lodging or anything like that?
Matthew Day: For years, our friends have both gone and played. All of their advice distilled down would be: embrace the chaos; you won't get to see every band you want; and you'll leave with new rad friends.
Scene Point Blank: Are you touring to or from FEST this year?
Matthew Day: We are touring down and back. It's our first official tour! Minneapolis is a great home base because there's so many great cities only a 2-8 hour drive away. You can really maximize the weekend warrior method. Getting the opportunity to play FEST finally gives us an excuse to branch out further and play places we've never been.
Scene Point Blank: I don't know how connected you are personally to Nudieland, but is there anything you'd like to saw involving that recent tragedy?
Matthew Day: The Twin Cities is small enough that everyone involved with punk rock or DIY was either directly affected or has a friend who was. This city has such a vibrant and active basement/house show community. Places that strive to be open, inviting, and safe. This left a trail of devastation and broken hearts.
Personally, I wish the people responsible would be caught. Unfortunately, 2020 seems to have left all the “good” cops pissed off that committing murder became slightly harder for them. As a result, the police seem even less interested in helping create safe communities. I wouldn't be surprised if the police viewed Nudieland, and the queer punk rock culture it helps foster, as nothing more than “antifa.” A heartbreaking reminder gun violence in this country touches every community, that All Cops Are Bastards, and we have to care for each other more than ever.
