Alex Edkins of METZ Announces New Weird Nightmare Album
Canadian musician Alex Edkins from Toronto is a multi-talented individual who keeps himself busy with various projects. Known for being the lead vocalist of the renowned Toronto noise-rock power trio METZ, Edkins made headlines last year when METZ reunited to perform on John Mulaney’s Netflix show despite their recent breakup. Additionally, Edkins is part of the duo Noble Rot alongside Graham Walsh from Holy Fuck. The duo played their debut live shows last year, released the impressive single “Hang On,” and provided the soundtrack for the second season of the podcast The Outlaw Ocean.
In addition to his work with METZ and Noble Rot, Edkins also creates music under the moniker Weird Nightmare. Operating as Weird Nightmare, Alex Edkins delivers nervous, anthemic, and emotive power-pop. His self-titled debut album dropped in 2023, and he continued to captivate his audience with covers of iconic bands like the Troggs and the Ramones. Recently, Edkins released a fresh single titled “Forever Elsewhere,” which is set to be included in his upcoming sophomore album, Hoopla. Collaborating with Jim Eno from Spoon, Edkins recorded Hoopla in Toronto, bringing a diverse range of influences to the mix.
Among the new tracks from Hoopla, Edkins generously shared the infectious single “Might See You There.” This track features a melodic blend of substantial riffs, delicate xylophone notes, and harmonious vocal layers on the chorus. Edkins described the song as a reflection on returning to his hometown and being overwhelmed by teenage memories. Recalling moments of small-town ennui and solitude, Edkins finds a nostalgic charm in reminiscing about long hours spent in the basement with friends, learning guitar chords from Rancid’s Let’s Go album.
Influenced by bands like the Undertones and Protex, Edkins aimed to infuse elements of simplicity and robust bar chords in “Might See You There.” Working closely with Seth Manchester, they envisioned incorporating piano and bells in the outro, drawing inspiration from Phil Spector’s production on The Ramones’ End Of The Century album. The track also features vocal harmonies from the talented Julianna Riolino, adding depth and texture to the overall sound.
Accompanying the release of “Might See You There,” director CC Mulligan created an abstract animated music video, providing a visual representation of the song’s nostalgic themes. As fans eagerly await the full album release, Edkins has announced a series of tour dates, including stops in various cities across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Keep an eye out for Hoopla, set to be released on May 1st via Sup Pop, or Dine Alone in Canada.