Nero - Sci-Fi Sounds

Anneliese Pomering, Sydney - Australia - on 20/8/12

In their short existence, UK dusbtep and drum and bass group Nero have become one of the biggest, most versatile musical acts on the planet. The group composed of Dan Stephens and Joe Ray with vocalist Alana Watson, have been an unstoppable force since their number one debut album, last year’s ‘Welcome Reality’. Having headlined the world’s biggest festivals, had 7 hit singles including ‘Crush On You’ and ‘Promises, and recorded with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Nero are currently working on their highly anticipated follow-up album. Ahead of their return to Australia next month as part of Parklife festival, Pulse Radio grabbed a quick Q and A with Dan from the group.

Pulse: How has 2012 been for you so far? Dan: Good, thanks. We feel like we haven't really stopped since the album came out but it's been a great journey.

You’re back in Australia soon for the Parklife tour. Are there any other artists on the bill you're looking forward to see playing or hanging out with? We're looking forward to seeing Justice and Plan B.

What have you got in store for the festival this time round? We'll be bringing our live show with us. We brought the live show over for Big Day Out earlier this year but this time round we have some cool new additions.

You have been working on your new album, what can you tell us about it? Will it be another concept album? The new album is indeed under way but we're being all secretive about it.

What lessons have you learnt from ‘Welcome Reality’? I think we just learnt how to make an album really. We did a lot of experimenting and definitely found our sound more than we had done before. It's been a good stepping stone for what's to come.

What have been your influences in creating the new album, musical or otherwise? We're making a point of not being influenced by anything in particular, we're just writing the album we want to write and enjoying evolving what we started with the first album.

You guys love and are influenced by science fiction films, which came first science fiction or electronic music? I think we've always linked sci-fi and electronic sounds, they just go together so naturally.

What is it about those kinds of films that you love - is it the music? It's everything really. There's a lot of sci-fi films with amazing soundtracks but visually there's something that appeals to us so much about sci-fi films, particularly ones that are set in futuristic cities.

Can you name your top 3 science fiction films and why?
1. Bladerunner - This is probably one of our biggest influences, film wise. The soundtrack by Vangelis is incredible and Ridley Scott's vision is so iconic. I think it's still one of the best looking films that's been made.

2. I'm torn between Terminator 2, Predator and Total Recall - but basically one of the 80s Arnie sci-fi's, they're all great.

3. Akira - Again, this film is amazing to the eye and is just the epitome of cyberpunk, which is a style that we've always been very into.

Alana Watson has become somewhat a permanent fixture in the group, how have her vocals added your music as Nero? Alana definitely brings a band like energy to Nero and we feel her vocals work perfectly to create an ethereal element surrounded by heavy basslines.