On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Brendan Shane of The Nocturnal Affair joined Loudwire Nights to discuss the band’s latest single, “Oxygen,” and the winding path that led him to his current artistic identity. For Shane, the journey has been one of trial, error, and eventually, creative autonomy.
From Metal Roots to Creative Independence
Reflecting on his early days in the music industry, Shane admits that his initial experiences were defined by the common pitfalls of young bands. “I was in a few metal bands before this one and growing up, you have a dream to be all you can be in the music industry,” he shared. He noted that in his local scene in Las Vegas, many musicians fall into the trap of believing that a band is a perfect democracy, only to find that internal friction and ego often derail progress.
Shane’s previous metal project, which was produced by John Moyer of Disturbed, served as a significant learning experience. Despite having a strong EP, the group struggled with internal conflict. “We ate each other from the inside out,” Shane explained. “We were trying to skip steps and jump ahead, thinking if you build it, they will come. I kind of got sick of nobody listening to my ideas.”
The Birth of The Nocturnal Affair
Seeking a fresh start, Shane pivoted toward his interest in goth rock. He initially launched a project called The Feels, a name he admits was somewhat tongue-in-cheek. The project gained unexpected traction after a local rock station began playing their music anonymously. This led to a high-pressure opportunity to open for a Duran Duran cover band at the House of Blues, an experience that forced Shane to embrace a mysterious, masked persona to keep his identity hidden.
The success of that show was a turning point, though it created tension with his former bandmates. Eventually, with the help of management, he rebranded as The Nocturnal Affair. “I was like, alright, The Nocturnal Affair, because that’s kind of what it felt like,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Today, Shane is focused on the future. The band has a steady stream of new music planned for release throughout the year and is preparing for a European tour with Fear Factory. Beyond his music, Shane’s background is surprisingly diverse; he spent over a decade in the special effects makeup and haunt industry, a career path he eventually left behind to pursue his true passion for music following a period of personal reflection.
“I wasn’t happy,” he said of his time in film and production. “I almost had a quarter-life crisis. That’s when I really kind of dove into music.”
Listen to the full conversation on Loudwire Nights to hear more about Shane’s journey and his upcoming projects.
