INTERVIEW // KIMBERLY KAPELA
PHOTOGRAPHY // MALLORY TURNER
Los Angeles-based trio Nights in Stereo step boldly into the spotlight with their debut EP, Second Nature. Washed in analog warmth and threaded with both grit and cinematic sheen, the record feels less like a first chapter and more like the natural culmination of nearly two decades of friendship, experimentation and sonic evolution.
“A central theme for us has been challenging ourselves to write about personal stories and difficulties from life and love, but do it through textured and complex sounds that don’t feel unnatural together,” the band says to Ladygunn.
Comprised by Ronen Rubinstein with longtime collaborators Jon Shoer and Rodrigo Rodarte, the band’s sound channels retro-grunge, shoegaze, and indie pop, blending the moody textures of Nirvana, Glassjaw, and Kings of Leon with the dreamy, modern edge of War on Drugs. Rubinstein’s vocal style pulls listeners into his cinematic, storytelling lyrics. Produced by Mike Reilly at Noise Nest Studios, Second Nature reimagines past tracks while introducing new material, all drenched in late-night energy and emotional depth.
Since forming, Nights in Stereo have cultivated a fiercely loyal fanbase that devours everything they release. Whether igniting underground venues or soundtracking a midnight drive, the trio invites listeners into their glowing, lo-fi universe.
Second Nature feels like both a debut and a culmination of years of friendship and experimentation. Looking back, what’s the most full-circle moment for you in bringing this project to life?
For Jonny and Rod, it’s been emotional and exciting to see songs they wrote over a decade ago be fully realized in a mature form. They wrote “The One” together in their living room shortly after meeting in 2011 and used to play versions of it at parties as an instrumental song throughout their friendship. Having Ronen enter the mix and bring it to life with meaningful lyrics really made the song complete. We’re a group that loves to dig up old parts and play off one another to build more complete, mature music together.
Nights in Stereo has roots that stretch back to the mid-2000s through Jonny’s early songwriting and later collaborations with Rodrigo. Your friendship seems just as central as your music. How has nearly two decades of knowing each other shaped your creative trust and process?
Our shared tastes have been a central theme in our friendship and part of what brings us all together and because of our friendship, we’ve been through so many experiences together through music that have been so important to us — shows, festivals, late nights, playlists, writing and playing together — that it has been natural for us to extend our friendship into our art. We are also such good and easy friends that it’s been second nature for us to work, play, joke, riff off one another.
What is the inspiration behind Second Nature and what themes or emotions did you set out to explore?
A central theme for us has been challenging ourselves to write about personal stories and difficulties from life and love, but do it through textured and complex sounds that don’t feel unnatural together. Ronen’s lyrics use a lot of symbolism and metaphor but strive to feel authentic to our music. Ronen was listening exclusively to Radiohead’s OK Computer and Jeff Buckley’s Grace when writing the album.
Do you have a personal favorite song on the album — one that feels closest to your heart or most revealing who Nights in Stereo are right now?
We love “Dream” because it encapsulates a lot of our shared love of big choruses, anthemic outros, dynamic instrumentals, and experimenting with timing, while still playing as an easily digestible track for the audience. It’s who we are as artists.
You’ve built a fiercely loyal fanbase that connects not just to the music but also to the behind-the-scenes content and universe you’re building. What are you most excited for listeners to take away from Second Nature?
We know we have a lot of fans through Ronen’s work and fans who know us from our first two singles. We’re stoked that this album has so many different styles of music and influences infused in it and we hope that our listeners enjoy being exposed to genres of music they might not otherwise listen to.
What inspires you to push boundaries within your sound? Are there any specific experiences, artists, or moments that have encouraged you to explore new musical territories?
We all have varied musical interests, but Jon is the most influential musical voice in the band. He grew up with heavy influences from punk, hardcore, and metal, all genres that push boundaries and expectations, but bonds with the other two over music that is fun, pop leaning and music you can vibe out to. When the three of us meet, we still pull from Jonny’s first musical loves but really enjoy making the sounds work for a mainstream audience.
Second Nature feels like a statement of arrival. Where do you see Nights in Stereo heading next as you continue building this project?
To date, we’ve focused a lot of energy on writing and recording. What started as a fun experiment in blending the type of rock we grew up listening to with popular music of today is evolving into a project that really pushes boundaries and transcends genres. We are excited to keep pushing in that direction and also can’t wait to start playing shows.
What’s fueling your fire right now — musically or personally — that’s pushing you into this next chapter?
We’re working on a very special, intimate live set of all of our songs and a few covers right now. We are so stoked to debut it ASAP.
How are you feeling in this current era and what does the rest of the year look like that you would like to share with Ladygunn?
We’re three friends who seem to always find ourselves in sync in our lives. We all started Nights In Stereo during a time of transition for all of us and, as fate would have it, we all three are going through big life transitions once again. All good and exciting things that will influence our music for the better.
CONNECT WITH NIGHTS IN STEREO
