Eight Years Later, Metal Band Nok Novum Find Wisdom on “Dad Problems”

Formed in early 2008, Nok Novum is an instrumental band from Canada. The band was originally conceived as a two-piece, with guitarist Grant Cooper and drummer Brady Mason. With the addition of Scott Giffin on guitar and Cam Dougall on bass in late 2013, Nok Novum proved themselves to be one of the top live acts in the Calgary metal scene. Seamlessly combining mesmerizing video with music, Nok Novum’s goal is to create a stimulating auditory and visual experience for the audience.

Since 2016 the band has taken a step back to focus on their individual careers, raise families, as well as taking time to patiently record their highly anticipated sophomore release, Nok Novum II. This new album has recently been completed and is set to be released within 2024.

Grant wrote most of the riffs on the new single “Dad Problems” in his dad’s basement when he was about 25 years old (12 years ago now!) and living with Brady. The two would spend hours just freeform jamming on ideas, with lots of improvisation, collaborating to construct the core of the song in the most organic way possible, as Nok Novum does to start any of their compositions. It’s incredible how songs transform over time and get to the finish line with a new perspective.

“None of us were dads then, but half of us are now, so maybe this was foreshadowing that feeling of running out of propane on a hot summer’s day while trying to light your BBQ,” says Grant Cooper.