An Interview with Daniel Oliver

Interview and article by Rebecca Clark

Standing out in the rock and roll genre is no small feat, but Nothing More continues to rise to the top thanks to their talent as both writers and performers. As one of the most progressive rock bands out there, they’ve become a must-see act.

Their recently released album, Carnal, is filled with one masterpiece after another. It feels like a counterpart and continuation of their previous album, Spirits, but Carnal delves deeper into the human experience, exploring how we cope and heal from the challenges life throws our way.

“We didn’t go into recording Carnal with the intention of making a concept record or necessarily tying it to the Spirits concept,” bassist Daniel Oliver explained. “But once the body of work and the title presented themselves, it all came together.”

Oliver described Spirits as an introspective exploration of the elements that shape our personalities and tendencies, focusing on breaking bad cycles and habits. In contrast, the creative process for Carnal aimed for a more visceral and straightforward approach. “We wanted this record to be simpler, with more bangers and higher energy throughout,” Oliver said, reflecting the band’s intent to tap into a primal, gut-reaction-driven energy.

Vulnerability is a key part of the band’s songwriting process. Reflecting on the deeper and more vulnerable lyrics on their latest album, particularly in tracks like “Down the River” and “Free Fall,” Oliver shared a personal and emotional journey. Just before the band began writing the record, his parents’ house burned down, and he tragically lost his mother in the fire. This event, along with other life changes, heavily influenced the writing process. “This album was a big healing experience,” Oliver said. “I’ve never really experienced grief like that.” “Down the River” was the first song they wrote for the album, capturing the unpredictability of life and how “sometimes the river has your back, but at the end of the day, you’re kind of along for its ride,” Oliver added.

Nothing More has a history of using excerpts from philosopher Alan Watts in their music, and they continued this trend on Carnal. This time, however, the excerpts fit seamlessly with the songs that followed. “The songs came before we found the excerpts, which made the record come together in a unique way,” Oliver said. “I’ve never seen his lecture quotes line up with the song content like this.” He added that it was striking how Watts talks about the river just before the song “Down the River” begins, making the connection feel almost seamless.

While Nothing More’s albums have always had a cohesive sound, Carnal feels even more put together. This is the first time the band worked with a single producer, Drew Fulk, for the entire record, which contributed to its flow from beginning to end.

Discussing how the recording process for Carnal differed from previous albums, Oliver revealed that it was “100% different than anything we’ve ever done.” Unlike their earlier self-produced records, this time the band worked with a professional producer, Drew Fulk, in Los Angeles. Previously, they took their time crafting tones and working in their home studios, which led to long gaps between albums. However, working with Fulk was a refreshing change, as they trusted him to handle the detailed work. Despite initial apprehensions, Oliver said, “I’m as stoked about this record, if not more stoked, than anything we’ve ever done.”

On the topic of collaborations, Oliver shared insights into working with other artists, particularly David Draiman of Disturbed. He recounted how they first connected with Draiman during a tour in 2016 and later reconnected in Europe last summer.

The collaboration with Draiman, as well as with Eric Vanlerberghe from I Prevail, was particularly special for Oliver. He noted how rewarding it was to see artists they respect “light up and engage in something that you’ve made,” highlighting that both Draiman and Vanlerberghe were excited enough to shoot music videos with the band. Oliver also mentioned that their track “Stuck,” which features ft. Sinizter, is one of his personal favorites on the album.

“It is really cool to be revered as peers by these artists such as Daughtry, David Draiman, and Eric Vanlerberghe,” Oliver said. “To just be able to shake their hands and be treated like an equal, knowing that we’ve climbed up the ladder to that spot, it’s a good feeling too to know these artists respect us.”

Nothing More is known for their experimentation with sound and technique, and on Carnal, Oliver explained that it’s all about “messing around with stuff and different techniques” and finding that sweet spot. The band has become adept at identifying when an idea is too familiar or too far out there for listeners to connect with.

For example, they often experiment with time signatures, which can “mess with people’s head bang,” but they’ve learned to hide those tricks to keep the music feeling cohesive. The challenge, Oliver emphasized, is to create something unique yet memorable, asking, “Is it memorable? You know, catchy? Does it move you in any certain way?” This balance is key to their creative process.

Regarding the bass techniques and equipment used on Carnal, Oliver shared that while he delved deeply into effects on Spirits, exploring complex soundscapes and harmonics, he took a different approach on this record. He simplified his playing, focusing more on creating melodic bass lines that fit perfectly within each song. “I definitely ended up doing a lot more just simple (techniques). I simplified everything quite a bit from Spirits,” Oliver explained. He highlighted how he prioritized the foundational role of the bass with the melodies, emphasizing that when people hum a song, they’re often humming the bass line, making it crucial to the song’s overall feel.

Daniel Oliver during their performance in Rochester NY in May of 2022

Oliver is known for being the creative genius behind their unique sculptures and working instruments used in their live set. When asked if he still finds time and inspiration to work on sculptures, Oliver shared that he’s been working on a new project—a massive 21-foot-tall kinetic sculpture made from 24-inch kick drums, each able to move and create different shapes. He described it as a “giant moving sculpture on stage” that he plans to cover with programmable LEDs. However, the complexity of the piece means it’s really suited for arena stages, making it difficult to use in smaller venues.

Oliver mentioned that while he’s passionate about these projects, this one might need to go to a professional production house to ensure its reliability and safety for touring. Reflecting on his ongoing creative journey, he added, “I can’t wait to see the future.”

Nothing More is a band that relentlessly pushes boundaries, striving not only to grow and evolve but to solidify their music as a lasting force in the rock industry. Their goal is to remain relevant and become a cornerstone of the genre. “Our goal is always to make timeless songs, and I feel like we’re getting there slowly,” Oliver said, reflecting on his growth as an artist. “I feel like we’re maturing, and everything sounds more mature—not older or more tired,” he added. “Our sound is maturing into something better, something that I’m just as proud of today as I was 20 years ago when we first started making music.”

Nothing More’s music is undeniably impactful, deeply resonating with their dedicated fans. Oliver shared a particularly powerful fan interaction that took place at a show in Pennsylvania. A family had gifted the band with tie-dye shirts, and at the time, Oliver wasn’t aware who had made them. Later, he discovered that the family, whose son was the band’s #1 Spotify listener (an achievement he won an award for), attended the show wearing matching tie-dye shirts like the ones they had given the band. As a special gift, the fan that made the shirts had also crafted a detailed desktop replica of the band’s iconic Scorpion Tail and DrumTron, which was Oliver’s creation. Oliver, clearly moved, proudly showed off the replica from his shelf.

Screenshot image of Dan holding the sculpture from our interview via Zoom

Remembering the gesture, Oliver said, “We moved him enough through our music for him to feel inspired to spend the time to create that (mini sculpture) and to show his appreciation through making one hell of a gift. It meant the world to me.”

It was a touching moment for Oliver and one that reminded him of the profound impact their music has on others and the importance of fan connections. “I’m sure this is every artist, but your relationship with music kind of changes; you don’t always really understand the power of it and what it means to other people,” Oliver explained. “Moments like that take you back and gives you some perspective,” he said. “Fans mean a lot to me, and when I get to meet people as a fan of their work, it’s super special. I would never want them to give up on what they’re doing. So, to receive encouragement like that from our fans, I think it’s amazing. It makes it all worth it.”

Carnal stands as a testament to the band’s resilience and evolution, both musically and personally, as they continue to explore the depths of human experience through their art. Nothing More is well known as one of the best live bands, and their impact on fans is remarkable. Their music not only continues to evolve, but the passion and energy they bring to the stage make their live performances a healing experience.

Currently headlining their own tour, with some dates alongside Godsmack, Nothing More is a must-see. Do yourself a favor—catch them live and give Carnal a spin or stream.

Check out our review of Carnal