Night Train 357 Defines The Nightlife (Interview)
Hip Hop has always weaved personal stories and life experiences whether its delivering 'The Message' to now more personal stories of strength and reflection. Night Train 357 is an artist and creative from the DMV, most noted for artist such as mainstream artist like Wale and Logic.
Over the past year Night Train has released singles spanning from a nostalgic feel with 'Cosmic Cruise' Ft. Cecily to the fun energetic summertime anthem 'Make The Money' Ft. Ethan Spalding and Rone. We catch up with Train to get to know him, his latest project and what it is to be a creative in today's climate.
How are you feeling bro?
Super good and getting better, sir! Can’t complain. Actually, I could complain, but it would probably sound better over a beat.
From listening to your first single 'Cosmic Cruise' and now 'Make The Money' I can tell you have a lot of diversity. Can you speak on your influences?
I can’t speak about my influences without speaking about my parents. My mother grew up listening to soul music and my father was a huge fan of the Funk and Acid Jazz groups like the Weather Report and Parliament. Both my parents loved 60s/70s/80s Rock like Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, and Genesis. I grew listening to Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, James Brown and Ray Charles just to name a few. My influences in Hip-Hop are numerous; however, some of the top contributors to my style were Redman, Pharoahe Monch, Eminem, and The Notorious B.I.G! I’m pretty much all over the place!
Lets talk presentation. From your artwork and videos. I can tell that you are a constamment professional. How key are visuals to your music?
I have a background in visual arts first! I’graduated from the Corcoran College of Art + Design and my family is filled with visual and performing artists. Art is in my blood. Also, having a professional background in visual arts and advertising gave me a unique perspective on how imagery can make or break a creative campaign. The devil is in the details. This means everything counts when you’re a creative, even more during the social media/digital age. And it’s not just the artwork or the music videos. It’s the sound quality, the professionalism in the studio, and the stage performance. You have to do everything at 110% to catch one’s attention in a field of creatives where everyone is trying to catch your eye.
Awesome, tell us about your latest effort?
My newest album is entitled ’The Nightlife.’ Independently, I have released two solo projects, one compilation album, and one collaborative album with Rone called ‘Grays,’ nominated for a Washington Area Music Award (The Wammies). ’The Nightlife’ is my third solo and it’s all about self-reflection, introspection, problem-solving, humor, and clarity discovered in the still of the night. It’s a personal journey through a storm of thoughts, experiences, and lessons I’ve learned in life that I felt comfortable to share in the hopes that people will relate to a Hip-Hop album with an alternative twist on subject matter. It's collection of music designed to remind us that it’s okay to be different when the world is telling you to conform. I’ve work with some amazing producers, an amazing engineer, and amazing artists who feature on this album. It’s also the first album I’ve ever released pressed on vinyl!
For our audience who may not know your prior catalog you had a song with your cousin and partner Rone called 'My Life Matters' and now with the Night Life you go deeper with 'Victim Of The Human Condition' and also another personal effort "No Sleep Over You' lets talk about those songs.
'My Life Matters' was produced by Marcus “Blackheart” Colbert, featuring myself and Rone on the Grays album. It was inspired by our frustrations of the outcome of the US 2016 generation election and our new president’s actions and policies that were designed to hurt Black and Brown people that didn’t conform to old, rich, White, male ideologies in our country. Being African American and seeing what actions were taken by the GOP and the Republican lawmakers made me feel like my life wasn’t important. So Rone and I wanted to address this issues and try to uplift spirits at the same time.
In my new song, ‘Victim of the Human Condition (produced by ADST Music),’ I discuss my observations on how people engage with each other on social media and the feeling that humanity is its own worst enemy. Humans are creators and innovators, but we’re also destroyers. We can’t help our own nature—greed and self-preservation daily bring out the worst in us and it’s a cornerstone of our society, faith systems, and personalities. It seems to act like that foundation for everything that’s right and wrong with the world and I didn’t hear a lot of songs addressing the core of the human experience and how we’re all victims of ourselves. This is something I frequently discuss with my close friends and family.
’No Sleep Over You (also produced by ADST Music)’ addresses situations that involve conflict with others. When you're pushing towards your goals you don't have time to deal with distractions brought on by naysayers and negative people. That energy is toxic if you’re trying to move forward. Time and time again we as people don’t move forward because of fear and we accept mediocrity. Those around us (sometimes with a more senior status) reverberate antiquated talking points that don’t always apply to a changing world. And the minute you find success in the direction you’re going in someone jaded comes along to burst the bubble. If you’re making positive moves and seeing positive results don’t let others that haven’t walked in your shoes tear down your spirit and drive because it feels foreign to them. And that’s what the song embodies.
Wow! Thank you for your time. I want to wrap up this interview but before we go can you let our audience know how to find you and also where to get your new album?
You can find me primarily on Instagram at @NightTrain357 or Twitter at @Train357. I’m also on Facebook at Facebook.com/NightTrain357. Come and say hi! You can check out all my music by visiting NightTrain357.com and buy vinyl records, Night Train 357 bandana, and much more! Lastly, my music is streaming on all major platforms! Just look up and follow 'Night Train 357.''
