Some bands can go lifetimes and never explore their music, never take it that next step, or never just experiment and take some liberties. Nott, on the other hand, are unafraid to peer off that cliff and take the plunge. On Hiraeth, the band’s sophomore full length, the proverbial ‘doom gloves’ are off and it’s bare knuckles raining down. Not gone completely are the tech death flourishes from The Wretched Sounds but these are used very sparingly here as each track is packed with some of the most whip smart songwriting and whip ass bleakness we’ve heard in some time. So, it’s not a complete about face into the abyss but it is a HUGE leap forward for a band that already had a knockout punch of a debut. We don’t want to spoil it too much so we’ll stop there and give you the outcome of posing our Profile questions to guitarist, basist, and vocalist Tyler Campbell and drummer Julia Geaman. Head below and check it out and be sure to support the band buy grabbing your own copy from the links contained within.

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How did you first get into playing music, and have you achieved the level of success that you hoped for?

Julia Geaman: The way I remember it is I was bored out of my mind in my room listening to Pennywise, I think? I was leaning back in my chair and I heard a really energetic snare fill. Something about it got me excited enough to walk to the music store and try out the drums. I don’t think I had any idea of what success looked like as a musician, I think every time I achieved something my ambition grew so for me it’s more like a curiosity of how far can I take this more than reaching a certain goal.

Tyler Campbell: I think it was School of Rock that made me realize I could learn an instrument and start making music myself. I’ve been playing guitar for the last 20 years, and pursuing Nott as a creative outlet for about half of that time. The goal has always been to make music that I’m proud of, and in that regard I would definitely say that we’ve been successful.

What’s the most you have ever debased yourself to get your band onto a show, into a magazine or otherwise promoted, covered, and praised? (If you don’t have a story, please tell us any funny/embarrassing story.)

JG: When I was younger, in my first band, I remember doing one of those pay to play gigs. You have to sell like 50 tickets yourself and the money all goes to the promoter. It’s so slimy, I thought it was so dumb but the rest of my band really wanted to play and we were too naive to know how to put on a show. I think a lot of musicians experienced that early on and made sure to never do it again.

What do you see as some of the great things happening in metal and what are some of the worst things happening inside the scene right now?

JG: For me, in Canada I definitely see a switch with heavier bands being taken more seriously. There’s so many grants and awards that are going out to metal bands, especially in BC that shows that something is going on creatively and also professionally. I feel so taken care of by other musicians that have found ways to make their music into an actual career which is not easy. I can reach out to just about anyone and ask them, “Hey, how do you apply for a visa?” or “How do you tour Europe?” Just about anyone is so willing to help you with everything that goes along with being in a band, all the things that there’s just no school or course for, you can count on the scene to help you figure it out and I think that’s pretty special.

TC: It’s really cool to see a wide spread of extreme metal acts doing so well and playing to such huge crowds as of late. It makes me feel like there’s a future for heavy music, something for the old guard to pass the torch down to as time marches on.

It seems that now everyone has a passion for some cause and that those people are very open about displaying their passions. This is probably a very, very good (and progressive) thing socially. What are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you and how do you insert those issues into your music?

JG: I don’t think either one of us is too political. I’m still trying to figure out my own life enough before I can take on social issues. I just try to be kind. I fully support all my trans friends. We’re a little sheltered up here in Canada but the divide happening in the States is very close by. Some of my friends in bands are conscious that there are just some areas and cities that might need to be avoided because we don’t know how welcoming they might be.

TC: Nott is our purest attempt at expression and creation, and what we do express both musically and lyrically come from very personal places. These stories and feelings that we share are crafted in such a way that we hope they can mean different things to each listener. If someone hears our music and is able to get something personal or emotional out of it, then we’ve done our job.

What, or who, got you into metal and how old were you? How did your family take the news?

JG: I think I was 12 and my friend handed me a burned CD with Slipknot, Korn, Nirvana and a bunch of other bands, lol. I was pretty sheltered musically before that so hearing anything that was not mainstream and on the radio instantly caught my attention. My parents aren’t musically inclined but they never discouraged what I was listening to. They didn’t get it but they grew up in communism where they were told what they could and couldn’t listen to so I don’t think they were going to “dictate” what I should listen to.

TC: My mom was really into grunge and alternative when I was a kid, and the heavier bits always piqued my interest. Later in middle school I discovered proper metal through some friends, and haven’t been able to get enough since. The heavier the better. While I’ve never expected my family to really “get it”, they have always been extremely supportive of this passion I’ve pursued, and for that I’m beyond grateful.

What advice do you have for aspiring music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

JG: Music critique is tough, I guess you have to gather up an audience that trusts you and has the same taste as you? I like seeing what’s in people’s rotation or hearing personal stories of how they first heard certain albums. I don’t think reading bad reviews is very interesting but that’s just me. I think the context around how you experience a band or album is more interesting than just a critique or opinion on an album.

What’s your goal? You guys thinking world domination? Maybe saving a continent? Maybe invading one? Any interest in starting a cult? Do you guys have day jobs or hobbies you want to share? Whatever it is, please let us know.

JG: Definitely hoping to invade Antarctica, I hear the weather is beautiful there. We have zero hobbies, we awaken at dusk and jam for 6 hours then curl back into our holes and sleep until our hunger stirs us again. (But I also teach drums, snuggle my cat, scroll on my phone, and promote our music online.)

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

TC: The following albums have been in heavy rotation for me as of late:

“Unmaker” by LLNN
“A Romance With Violence” by Wayfarer
“Ulsect” by Ulsect
“Stare Into Death and Be Still” by Ulcerate

What is the 12-month outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

JG: Our album “Hiraeth” will be out on Aug 18! We have 2 singles out already and one more coming out very soon which we’re very proud of. We will be playing in Seattle, Vancouver, Kelowna, and Victoria and Nanaimo in August as well, all of those dates are on our socials. We also have plans to tour the States more too so keep an eye out for that. We’ve already started writing new material but definitely want to play this album for the next year in as many places as we can!

Summarize your band in exactly one word.

TC: Nott. (Ed.: fair enough)

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Thanks to Tyler and Julia for their time!

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Hiraeth will be available August 18 on Silent Pendulum Records. For more information on Nott, visit their Facebook and Instagram pages.