Nehoda‘s journey from their debut album Don’t Forget The Hat to their latest self-titled release, Nehoda (out on September 27) stands out as a testament to artistic growth and fearless exploration. Since 2019, the band has navigated through shifting genres and evolving influences, moving from a rootsy sound to a darker, more introspective edge, only to redefine themselves once again. Their self-titled album marks a culmination of this journey, capturing the essence of a sound that had been maturing in the back of their minds. What sets this release apart is not just the evolution of their music, but the authentic approach they’ve taken by embracing their influences from Neil Young to Pink Floyd while carving out a distinctive voice that feels both fresh and deeply personal. In our interview, we get a rare glimpse into how Nehoda has transformed their creative struggles into a compelling narrative of growth, and how they balance their diverse influences with a cohesive vision.
ATN: Nehoda has been active since 2019 and has released several albums since then. How has your sound and songwriting evolved from Don’t Forget The Hat to your upcoming self-titled album?
NEDHOA: When I lived in Seattle and recorded Don’t Forget The Hat, I had an idea of what I wanted, but did not have the band. I thought I wanted to mix rootsy music with the 90’s vibe I grew up on, but Americana was blowing up and it became such a cool kid genre that I felt like I was late to the game. So for the next album, But Anyways, we decided to lean harder into the darkness of songwriting and veer away from Americana. The funny thing was everyone in Europe wrote it up as a darker version of Americana. In the meantime the gatekeepers of Americana in Nashville said it was not Americana. Which again put us in a weird transition. All this time I was worried about genres without realising that I was handcuffing the band. I feel like it really dawned on us about the time we recorded the EP Dissolution. With some new blood in the band as well as new vibes in the songs, we started building songs in the studio. Which leads us to our newest self-titled album and for the first time as a songwriter, I took the time to really get to know these songs and build these songs into what they have become. This self-titled album is finally what I always heard in my head.
ATN: Your music is influenced by iconic artists like Neil Young, Nirvana, and Howlin’ Wolf, while also drawing comparisons to Pink Floyd and A Perfect Circle. How do you balance these diverse influences in your sound?
NEDHOA: While it seems like a hard thing to balance, it seems to come naturally to us. The raw emotion and storytelling of Neil Young and Howlin’ Wolf, becomes part of the unconventional melody and chaos of Nirvana, which then lets in the space and psychedelic journeys of Pink Floyd, all topped off with; the dynamics, groove, and heavy melodies of A Perfect Circle.
ATN: The album was recorded at Sundog Studios, can you share some insights into the production process and how it shaped the final sound of the album?
NEDHOA: Sundog Studios was a very cosy and welcoming studio with lots of vibe. It was a huge part of our first three albums and will be missed now that Michael Esser has closed the studio. We recorded this album in two and half days. So let that tell you how comfortable the vibe was.
ATN: Henry Cruz made a guest appearance on the track “Hot Blooded Woman.” How did his contribution influence the song and the overall album?
NEDHOA: The song had been finished for a while. But I knew it needed a big ol slide part all over it. So I called Henry Cruz and he said yes! The song is a blast to play as a 3 piece. But the first time we played it as a 4 piece we blew the roof off Kimbro’s Pickin Parlour and a fight broke out! That was the point that we knew the song was finished! If you enjoyed that track, please take the time to check out The Henry Cruz Band. Henry is a talented songwriter and bad ass front man.
ATN: You designed the album artwork, and there are limited vinyl editions being produced. How does the visual aspect of your album complement the music, and what inspired the design?
NEDHOA: The art work in the front of the album was from a memory of one of our first sunrises in the south. The one on the back was the first sunset upon arrival in Tennessee. I wanted this album art to be brighter and have more colour than they have had in the past. So it made sense to use the art.
ATN: Nehoda is known for honest songwriting and exploring both the beauty and darkness of life. Can you delve into the themes of your new album and how you approach writing lyrics that resonate on such a deep level?
NEDHOA: The themes of this new album tend to follow the path of growth and love. Growing and realising that it’s not “their” fault. Realising I was just as complicit in this life. Forgiving as well as asking for forgiveness.
ATN: The name Nehoda translates to “mistake” or “accident” and reflects the band’s philosophy. How does this concept manifest in your music and your approach to creativity?
NEDHOA: It is all a happy accident. Everything we do unless you choose to live life by the book will be full of happy little accidents.
ATN: How do you translate the energy and emotion of your studio recordings into your live performances? Can you share any memorable experiences from your tours?
NEDHOA: One of the toughest things in my opinion as a three piece band is to capture the energy of a live show on vinyl. When you are in the room with us, you feel everything. On a record…not so much unless you crank it up. So we decided on this album to let Chip loose on the Hammond C3 and boy are we happy we did. The way it filled out the songs is nothing short of serendipitous.
ATN: Nehoda has won Song of the Year awards with SevernFm radio. How has this recognition impacted your approach to making music and your place in the industry?
NEDHOA: Winning those awards gave me the validation that writing from the heart and being honest in our music is the correct path. I could chase pop sounds or more mainstream sounds, but where is the fun in that when so many are already doing the same thing?
ATN: With the release of this album, what’s next for Nehoda? Are there any upcoming projects or tours that fans should look forward to?
NEDHOA: We are currently about 4 songs into the next album. We will be hosting an album release show in Franklin as well as Nashville and Sacramento this fall. Our goal is to travel around the US through Spring of 25 and then head back to Europe for a longer trip this summer.
SAME 3 QUESTIONS WE ALWAYS ASK
ATN: Artist / band that you feel is the most underrated and why?
NEDHOA: Wild Powwers from Seattle. This band is amazing and everyone should know who they are, plus they also just put out a new album!
ATN: Artist / band that you would like to collaborate with and why?
NEDHOA: I would love to collaborate with Neil Young. To sit and listen to what he has to say and play. I would also love to collaborate with Dorothea Cotrell. I love her voice!
ATN: Artist / band that you would like to tour with and why?
NEDHOA: Wild Powwers, All Them Witches, Nick Cave, Dinosaur Jr., The Henry Cruz Band. The world needs more Henry Cruz!
Nedhoa is out on September 27th.
