Inside Parader: Nothing Talk Reinvention, Rage & Starting Again

With Parader, Nothing have stepped into a new era—louder, sharper, and more self-assured than ever—trading in the intimate, folk-leaning vulnerability he’s long been associated with for something bolder, more hard-edged, and defiantly alive.

And as they pivot into this fiery new chapter, the shoegaze world is bracing for a monumental return of its own: Nothing are set to release a short history of decay on February 27th. Returning after a five-year absence, the Philadelphia outfit deliver their most sonically expansive album to date—folding industrial electronics, brass swells, harps, and their iconic wall-of-sound into a cathartic portrait of frontman Domenic Palermo’s turbulent history, bodily decline, and uncompromising honesty. We sat down with them to talk about vulnerability, identity, turning points, and the loud energy powering Parader.

1. Parader seems to mark a shift from the intimate, folk-tinged vulnerability you’re known for into a more confident, garage-rock and power-pop sound. What inspired you to explore this louder, more extroverted side of your music?

I don’t know if it was a decision so much as just what came out. The record I made before this (somnambulant cycles) was a super quiet instrumental record and I think after that and perhaps combined with a recent feeling of aging and thoughts of my loud youth, I just started writing songs and realised the tunings were getting lower and I was somehow channelling some of the music of my youth.

2. The album examines your relationship with fame and performing, especially on the closing track Performer. How has navigating public attention shaped your creative process on this record?

It’s something I’ve often touched on in my music. But my dislike of attention has maybe become more intense as I’ve grown older, and the need to seek it has grown exponentially more important in this industry. So I think it just feels so inescapable that It has been on my mind, and inevitably what’s on my mind makes it into my writing. I think ‘performer’ specifically also is looking at the parts of me that are looking for acceptance or affirmation in my work. I’ve always found the idea that I make my living talking to strangers about my deepest fears and flaws quite conflicting. So that song specifically is me kind of holding myself to the flames a bit for that.

3. Collaborating with producers like Luke Sital-Singh and Alex Farrar, as well as guest artists such as Julia Steiner, must have brought new textures to the music. How did these collaborations influence the sound and direction of Parader?

Each something different which I think was important. Luke does something very specific which I can’t quite put my finger on, I think it’s a sort of vulnerability with muscle, his production has real weight and confidence behind it, without ever sacrificing humanity or intimacy,Alex- I felt so confident in his hands that I think I allowed myself to be heavier, and perhaps more laid back musically, than I would have. He is an incredible musician and played so many instruments so he also just became a full band. Julia is just the coolest artist and person and we just let that thing fall out, there was no overthinking it was just like being in the teenage garage again writing songs with your friends no one will hear.

4. You’ve long been celebrated for weaving personal vulnerability into your songwriting. How did you balance that emotional fragility with the more assertive, hook-driven elements on this album?

I think the slightly heavier tone maybe allowed me to explore a bit more anger than previous records, the same self-loathing is there but there’s a new level of snark behind it. It allowed me to feel a little less like I give a shit basically.

5. Looking back at your career, how do you feel Parader fits within your musical journey — is it a statement, a turning point, or both?

It may be a bit of an arch answer but I think I try to treat every album as a turning point, so I don’t go in too much of a straight line. I think each record lets me explore a different part of myself and what I feel comfortable doing, and much I then hopefully take on to the next project. I hope that one day if you wanted to you could listen to my catalogue in order and hear me finding all those tools and carrying them forward. Parader feels like a special one though as it really is my younger self meeting with my grown, weary self.