Anderson Nightmare is the latest project from Owen & Enda Strathern and long time collaborator Stephen Leacock. The trio have been involved in various bands over the years including General Fiasco, Oh Volcano and Franklin.
Through Belfast label, No Dancing, the trio have released a steady string of singles since their formation 2023. Their sound can be pencilled in as indie rock, with the singles showing off Owen’s penchant for delivering infectious songs, marked by huge choruses and boisterous guitars.
Ahead of their debut live performance at Gifted this week and the release of the next single ‘Tell Me Everything’ (due 6th December), we asked Owen to take us through a handful of tracks that have influenced their sound.
The Strokes – What Ever Happened?
I could have really chosen any Strokes song for this – I could have also filled the ten song choices with songs from The Strokes but I’ll keep it to one. They have always been a massive influence for us, maybe even more so with Anderson Nightmare. I feel like my approach to writing melodies for this project leaned into a lot of Julian’s classic moves – I was thinking about some of his more crooner-y vocals when I was writing a bunch of these songs. Right now this is my favourite Strokes song, so that’s why I’m going for this one.
Phosphorescent – New birth in New England
The first time I heard this song it felt like nothing else I had ever heard – it felt like someone who was genuinely happy and had somehow managed to portray that feeling in a song. It feels like a sort of happiness that would be hard to disrupt and I feel like there are a lot of grand gestures in a lot of music that doesn’t sound or feel real. This feels like it comes from a real place.
Weezer – Buddy Holly
Again Weezer have always inspired us: perfect guitar pop songs. They have a lifetime of great songs under the belts. Rivers Cuomo once said however long the song is, that’s how long it takes to write – I always liked that idea of not over thinking it. Just sit down let it come out the way it wants. I’m not sure I ever achieved that but it’s a good idea.
Pull Tiger Tail – Animator
Years ago I was chatting to a buddy about this song and he mentioned that it was so rare to get a great chorus that was just one word. It always stuck in my head and I always wanted to find my one word chorus. It took about fifteen years to appear but it eventually arrived all by itself for our song ‘Great’. Pull Tiger Tail weren’t round for long but this song is still as great as it ever was.
Little Comets – Woman Woman
A band that I admire and envy – musically brilliant who write and perform with conviction and actually have something to say. There is never anything wasted in a song, it doesn’t feel like you get a filler line or a filler or riff, everything is done with purpose. Probably the most underrated band of my lifetime.
Wild Beasts – All the kings men
I was struggling to get a song we had been working on finished and this track popped up on shuffle. They build the base of the song with mad whooping vocals and the idea of building some sort of interesting vocal part gave the track we were working on direction when I had hit a wall with it. I also love the erratic nature of the lead vocal too, it’s such a clever indie track.
White Lies – Death
I love how massive this song sounds and when you really pay attention to it, how simple it is. Lyrically beautiful, beautiful production. The drive of this track is something that I love, a driving bass has been key in a lot of the music we have made over the years and this song is a perfect example of how to do it right. This feels uplifting while talking also talking about death. Well played White Lies.
Caged Animals – Teflon Heart
This, I guess, is a sad song that somehow sounds happy to me. The lyrics are amazing – it does feel like you are getting a real account of this persons relationship and the struggles of getting close to the person that they are writing about. It must be the honesty that I’m attracted to, music is always better when it feels real.
Mental As Anything – Live It Up
Massive tune, feel good, uplifting and fun. I’m not sure what the ingredient in this song that makes it stand out for me. I think when I was younger I never liked it when a song sounded too major but I appreciate it more now – a song that can put you in a good mood is special.
Jane Wielden – Rush Hour
Just a beautiful, driven, banger of a tune, it’s what I think everyone should aim for.
Playlist
Catch Anderson Nightmare Live
We are thrilled to be hosting Anderson Nightmare as they make their live debut. On Thursday 28th November at the Belfast Empire, they are playing alongside Brand New Friend, Parker and Lauren Ann. Tickets are available here – GIFTED: Brand New Friend | Anderson Nightmare | Parker | Lauren Ann.
