PD: How would you describe yourself or your band as an artist?
JD Scott: Well, that’s kinda hard to do. lol. With today’s NWOTHM scene, I think we fit in that template to an extent. I think we lean more towards the heavy rock sound that was early on just after the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Sure we have the typical Judas Priest influence as well as some Maiden, cause we are huge fans of those bands and that style of metal inevitably creeps into our writing. But, we are more straightforward with simple, catchy riffs rather than the prototypical “power metal” that seems to be dominating the NWOTHM lately. Think more WASP-like, or even Accept. We like to party, and we want people to join our party, bang their fuckin’ heads and scream along. Nothing pretentious, just genuine heavy metal!
PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc.
JD Scott: Ha! I’m an old guy who never really grew up! I am 54 and was lucky enough to grow up when the metal scene was churning out the great bands we all still love today. I kinda grew up all over the U.S., my father worked for the government and moved us around a lot. To experience many different cities and the metal culture in those places helped me to not be an outsider. I always had premade friends wherever I went because of the unity metalheads have always stood for. Just like today, I believe when you get into this music, just as a listener and fan, you imagine playing that music on stage. That’s why I picked up an instrument. I wanted to emulate my heroes. I chose bass simply because every garage band I knew needed a bass player, haha. Everyone in the eighties wanted to be the prototypical gunslinging guitar god and the market was flooded! I have always in some way made music my whole life. Early on I did pretty well in a few bands and had a great time. I met my wife of 33 years through this music culture, had a son (who plays guitar in the band) and raised a family while always writing and recording just to stay creative. Fast forward to now, my circle of friends who are all into music and jam together, started an eighties metal tribute band with the idea of not being the typical cheesy casino cover group. We delved into the more obscure tunes and bands from the metal of the eighties and made it more for the fans who were not casual listeners of the genre. To take them “back in the day” so to speak. It was received quite well. But as a lot of bands do, they split and go their own way. A few of us regrouped and started writing original tunes. That is where Nightwölff was born.
PD: Who and what inspires you to make music, both in terms of musical and other influences? What do you like to write about in your songs?
JD Scott: Lately? I am really into the NWOTHM scene and a lot of those bands. It is really cool to see this revival of sorts. Of course I am influenced by all the bands I cut my teeth on growing up, but bands that are putting out great stuff currently like Iron Kingdom, Freeways, Midnight Priest and Night Demon also steer the riffs we lay down. It’s hard to not let whatever you’re listening to come through in your writing. Lyrically I am right now the sole writer in Nightwölff. I ain’t no poet haha. I write about what I know and experience. Nothing fancy, mostly the struggle of life, with the occasional dark fantasy themed tune or just write about partying and being inebriated.
PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?
JD Scott: Truthfully, to just get music out there. We’re not looking for money or fame. To make some tunes people dig and bang their head while partying.
PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?
JD Scott: Playing and writing with my son. Hands down. It’s a great time and I will cherish that forever.
PD: Promoting one’s music is such a challenge these days, especially with so many new artists emerging from bedrooms in the day of the home studio. How is that going?
JD Scott: Yeah, great question! We got lucky and Cheryl from Witches Brew somehow stumbled upon us. She is our guide and is fabulous in the ways of promoting bands! We will leave all that in her capable hands!
PD: And how do you book and promote your live shows and tours? Any performances coming up?
JD Scott: We have quite a few comrades in the scene, mostly thanks to Graham. His connections are crazy! We are planning on some shows coming up soon on the west coast. I have some family commitments at the moment that are keeping us in a holding pattern for live shows, but very soon we will be onstage and ready to party!
PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?
JD Scott: As a music fan, of course I love it. When I was young and poor haha, owning music was tough. Now it’s everywhere. As I mentioned before, we’re not in it for the cash, so whatever platform you listen to us on makes no difference, just as long as you listen and dig it! If you want to physically own that piece of music, then that’s great too. I have always loved having a physical collection with all the liner notes, artwork and all that!
PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?
JD Scott: Hmmm. That’s tough. Probably anything by Helloween haha. Like Keeper of The Seven Keys! That song has it all!
PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?
JD Scott: Greasy, lazy promoters!
PD: So, what are you working on at the moment?
JD Scott: Album number 2! Got some riffs in the can to work and evolve. Also, Edward and myself really love the old southern rock stuff, the guitar driven bands like Molly Hatchet and Blackfoot. We noodle around on writing in that style when we get to drinking heavy.
PD: Where can we learn more about you and buy your music/merch online?
JD Scott: Check our Bandcamp, click that “follow” button. Instagram, Facebook, Witches Brew, our label, hit their Bandcamp page as well. We have some merch up on the Bandcamp site, with more to come. There will be some interesting and unique swag up there real soon….
NIGHTWÖLFF links:
Band/Artist location – Oregon, USA
Facebook – You Tube – Bandcamp – Merch –
Instagram – Apple – Spotify – Amazon – Deezer –
Check our page for NIGHTWOLFF
