Interview With Simon Delaney of Don Broco
- Samuel Stevens
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
Before the release of Don Broco's brand new album, Nightmare Tripping, which is due for release on March 27, 2026, via Fearless Records, the band's bassist, Simon Delaney, was gracious to lend some time out of his busy schedule to talk about the record.
You plan to release your fifth studio album, Nightmare Tripping, on March 27, 2026. How do you think this record compares to your last four albums and your four EPs?
Si: This record is definitely our most focused effort into the heavier side of Don Broco. We wanted to make a record that was a hard-hitting, heavy statement compared to some of our earlier albums, which have been a bit more eclectic in style. Was there anything you did differently from those last couple of releases on this new record? Rather, were there different methods of writing, or anything to change up the process in any type of way?
Si: The main thing we focused on this time round was trying to move quickly and keep everything as fun as possible… Writing should be fun, but it’s so easy to get lost in the weeds with it. This time round, we made a really conscious effort to switch things up as soon as anything felt like a chore.
How was the overall writing and recording process for the new album?
Si: It was a lot of fun. We took a few writing retreats to get out of our houses and get ourselves inspired by a different location, which was fun. Sonically, most bands have a direction they want an album to take. Did you think that you got what you wanted with this record?
Si: Yes, absolutely. We set out to make a record, which felt heavy and still retained the quirk of Don Broco, and I feel we’ve definitely done that.
Every record of yours has always been a surprise. Either you are dabbling as a full-on rock outfit, or throwing in some funky or electronic bits, or delivering full-blown hard rock tracks. What made you guys fall into a much harder, more metal territory for this record?
Si: Primarily, we were a live band before anything else. We spend so much time on the road, and at the live shows we’ve just been enjoying the heavier side of Broco. With that in mind, I felt it was the right time to concentrate our efforts on making a heavy record that would be a lot of fun to play live.
How did the collaboration come about with Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger and Ryan Peake on the album’s title track? Were they always receptive to doing a heavier track like “Nightmare Tripping”?
Si: A few years ago, we played a headline show in Vancouver. A few days later, we got a lovely email from Nickelback’s management telling us that Ryan had been down to the show with his brother, who is a massive fan. Ryan became the champion of DON BROCO in the Nickelback camp. We were told how much they liked the band and how the whole team really vibed with what we were doing. It was a real pinch yourself moment for us.
Fast forward a few years, and we’ve written "Nightmare Tripping". The song was already crazy, but Rob had the idea to make it even crazier by asking Nickelback if they fancy being on it… It was the easiest exchange we’ve ever had as a band. They came back saying they loved the track and how could they help. Within a few days, they’d sent over their parts, and it was all done!
Similar question, how was it working with the Architects’ vocalist Sam Carter on the album’s heaviest track, “True Believers”?
Si: We are huge fans of Architects and what they’re doing. Sam is a legend, and as soon as we’d written "True Believers," the tone and the subject matter of the song seemed such a good fit to have him involved. Again, he’s a gentleman and a professional; he made the whole thing so easy. He came over and recorded his parts, in between being on tour with Linkin Park, and the rest of his history… A class act.
You have probably collected a huge Rolodex of musicians' contact info over the years as you’ve been on the rise in the scene. Is there anyone that you would love to collaborate with in the future that you haven’t yet?
Si: I think we’d love to do a track with System Of A Down.
This is the longest wait between Don Broco records. How have you guys matured both as people and musicians since the release of Amazing Things?
Si: It’s the longest gap between records, but that’s mostly because we were touring Amazing Things for so long, rather than it taking us a long time to write Nightmare Tripping. I think we’ve grown to be a lot less precious about our ideas and, if something is not working, to just move on quickly. It’s so easy to get hung up on trying to make songs work, but if they’re not able to in that moment, being able to move on is an important ability to have.
Music can surely be an emotional catharsis, and how these songs are delivered, and the song’s subject matter is so immense. Do you credit anyone for the styles you chose to write and perform in on this record? Where does the album’s title, Nightmare Tripping, come from? How does it represent the album’s eleven songs as a whole?
Si: I think on this record we wear our influences on our sleeve a bit more than on our previous works. Certainly, a lot of the early 2000s nu metal, which we grew up on, is a very evident stylistic reference. Bands like System Of A Down, Korn, and Incubus. I feel like you can definitely hear in there.
The song "Nightmare Tripping" is a really good representation of the album. It’s heavy, quirky, emotional, and it flicks between different states within itself.
What’s something you want listeners of the new album to take away from it?
Si: That life can sometimes feel like waking up from one nightmare straight into another one, but no matter how dark things can seem, there’s always light, and there’s always a way through it.
Last one for today, you’ve been on some reputable record labels over the years, such as Sony/Epic and Sharptone. What made Fearless Records the fit for Nightmare Tripping?
Si: They are a great team who are super passionate about music. When we met them, we had an instant chemistry, and we knew they were the right people to handle this record.
Thanks, Simon, for taking the time to talk about the album! I hope I can see you come through Winnipeg, Canada, on tour sooner rather than later! Before you go, is there anything you would like to add?
Si: Play it loud! [Smiles].