The New Jersey duo Datura Lodge are this week’s featured Meet The Band artist. They just released their self-titled debut album. Vocalist/bassist Nicky B and vocalist/guitarist W introduce us to their band.
Chad Bowar: Give us a brief history of Datura Lodge.
Nicky B: The Datura Lodge origin story traces to when “W” and I met at a music school when we were teenagers. Our first interaction was in a rehearsal room waiting to start practice when one of us started playing some riffs from “2112” by Rush. Without saying a word to each other we played through a lot of it. Our friendship and musical partnership blossomed from there. Datura Lodge is the culmination of everything we’ve always wanted to do musically.
“W”: The album truly is culmination of everything we’ve developed from when we met through when we recorded the album. For example, the fast-picking verse guitar lick on our song “Them” goes back to my junior year of high school (the stone ages of 2009-2010) and was inspired by Robert Fripp’s playing on David Bowie’s Scary Monsters album. Over the years, I would sneak that stupid lick into almost every gig I played. I am happy to finally lay it to rest on record. On the other end of that spectrum, we only decided to turn “Beam” into a high-energy funk rock song essentially right before we recorded it.
Describe the songwriting process for your self-titled album.
“W”: It may sound robotic, but I think the basic outline could be broken down into three steps. First, we both wrote songs independently without any interference or input from the other. Basically, we trust each other to come up with stuff that is good for the band. Second, we taught each other the songs and learned how to play them together. This step consisted of us sitting cross-legged on Nick’s floor playing poorly through the worst sounding amps imaginable while in constant paranoia that the neighbors are going to complain. Finally, and this is my favorite step, we spent tons of time hammering out details such as wacky arrangement ideas, picking out effects, working out big harmonies, developing guitar solos, etc.
What will be your strongest memory of the recording of the album?
Nicky B: We always joke that everything surrounding and leading up to the actual playing of music is a horrific experience, but I think the best part about this was the time we spent in the Frost Gauntlet Recording studio with Ben Karas between playing. We were able to bounce all of the ideas swimming in our heads off of him and I think we developed a real camaraderie with each other along the way. It created a jovial atmosphere that we looked forward to entering each session.
What was the biggest challenge in its creation?
“W”: I think the biggest hurdle was just strapping in and actually committing to a project of this magnitude while life proceeds behind the scenes. The album sort of snowballed. It started off as “lets record a few songs and put them on YouTube” and transmogrified into a major undertaking.
How would you characterize its style/sound?
“W”: Eclectic hard rock. The album ranges from progressive rock to metal to alternative to funk. Our hope is that there is something for everyone on the album.
What lyrical topics do you cover?
Nicky B: The one theme that pervades the album is disillusionment. We cover that from a lot of angles whether it’s disgust with the larger world, or our own personal grief and anxiety about the future. I hope some of these things will resonate with anyone who listens to the album.
How did you come to sign with Arquen Records?
“W”: I follow the prog rock scene and knew that Astronomy Recording Music and áMARXE were putting out great new releases. We pitched both labels and they were overwhelmingly positive about the album such that they offered to release it on their joint venture label Arquen Records.
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
“W”: I hope enough people hear it as to justify making a second album.
Nicky B: “W” alluded to it earlier, but we went into this with no expectations other than getting our music out there in the universe. I hope people will hear it and enjoy it. Now that we’ve conquered this first one we’re ready for a second.
Do you have plans to play live shows?
Nicky B: We’ve been rehearsing and working to fill out the members of a live band to play the material. It is certainly our goal to start playing shows once we have all the pieces in place.
How did you get started in music?
“W”: Two things caused it. First, my uncle left me his guitar before he passed away while I was a baby. It was sort of a family legend that was always in my head. Second, was when my dad brought home the 2003 Led Zeppelin DVD. I distinctly remember the first time I watched it. Both things made me want to play the guitar.
Nicky B: There are home videos of me at age 2 dancing to The Who and I can remember constantly listening to music with my dad growing up (Yes, Zep, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, etc). I don’t think I ever considered I could actually play music until I was a little older. When I was 14 my friends were doing a talent show and one of them suggested I start playing bass because “nobody plays bass.”
Who were your early influences and inspirations?
Nicky B: The first rock music I ever heard was The Who and they have remained on my personal “Mount Rushmore” to this day. John Entwistle and Flea are probably my original and biggest bass playing influences, but I’m also greatly inspired by non-bass players like Pete Townshend, John Frusciante, and Eddie Vedder when it comes to writing and creating music.
“W”: The very early big one was Led Zeppelin. A little later on I got into King Crimson and that became the big one. In college I got really into metal. I still always try to learn about new music.
What was the first rock/metal concert you attended?
Nicky B: Red Hot Chili Peppers at Continental Airlines Arena – October 18, 2006. The Mars Volta (another of my absolute favorites, although not at the time) opened.
“W”: My dad took me to see Robert Plant at the Beacon Theater in New York.
What are some of your non-musical interests and hobbies?
Nicky B: I’m a typical nerd – movies, video games, sci-fi, comics, etc. “W” will attest to the fact that I have been leading the “physical media” charge for a long time. I have a pretty decent vinyl, cassette, CD, and DVD/blu-ray collection. I even have a functioning VCR hooked up! Also a huge NY sports fan and this was definitely a great summer – KNICKS IN 5!
“W”: Almost all my hobbies are music-centric or adjacent. I am not a very well-rounded person in that regard but I am likewise a dork.
What’s currently in your musical heavy rotation?
“W”: The new Mastodon album, the Tony Martin-era Black Sabbath album Headless Cross, and the Judas Priest discography.
Nicky B: The latest Tori Amos album In Times of Dragons – absolutely brilliant album and I think one of her best. The new Mastodon is excellent as well. I also recently did a chronological revisit of the entire Pink Floyd discography; Ummagumma rules!
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
“W”: The album is out October 2, 2026. You should also check out our music video for “Hole” that was directed by Samantha Feyerabend-Muljat.
Nicky B: We’re really excited for the upcoming album release and hope you’ll check it out. Thank you to everyone who supported us and made this come to life!
(interview published October 3, 2026)
Watch Datura Lodge – “Hole” Video
