Weird Nightmare’s Alex Edkins on New Album ‘Hoopla,’ Touring, and Must-Own LPs

“The intention is to get straight to that endorphin rush that comes with a hook or a chorus, and just not overcomplicate the songs,” says Alex Edkins , who spent 17 years getting his angst and aggression out while blowing eardrums in Toronto’s METZ . During COVID, he explored his more melodic side on a homemade lo-fi solo album released as Weird Nightmare . With METZ ceasing operations in 2024, Weird Nightmare became a full band, and with Hoopla Edkins shows what he can really do in a pop format.

I talked to Alex on the May 4 episode of BV Interviews about Hoopla , the origins of Weird Nightmare and how they influenced METZ and vice versa, plus METZ reforming not long after calling it quits to play John Mulaney’s Netflix talk show. We also discuss Alex’s youth behind the counter as a record store clerk,  moving from Toronto back to his hometown of Ottawa, working with Spoon’s Jim Eno on Hoopla , ’90s Canadian indie rock, records Alex thinks everyone should own, and more.

Listen to the episode below or  wherever you listen to podcasts . You can also watch Alex talk about seven album he thinks everyone should own below.

Pick up Hoopla and METZ albums in the BV Shop .

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Weird Nightmare on Tour:

Tue. May 12 – Kingston, ON – Broom Factory

Wed. May 13 – Montreal, PQ – Bar le Ritz

Fri. May 15 – Halifax, NS – Marquee Ballroom #

Sat. May 16 – Halifax, NS – Marquee Ballroom #

Wed. May 27 – St. Paul – Turf Club

Thu. May 28 – Chicago, IL – Cobra Lounge

Fri. May 29 – Pontiac, MI – Pike Room

Sat. May 30 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop

Wed. Jun. 17 – London, ON – London Music Hall #

Thu. Jun. 18 – Hamilton, ON – Bridgeworks #

Fri. Jun. 19 – Toronto, ON – Masonic Temple #

Sat. Jun. 20 – Ottawa, ON – The Bronson #

Wed. Jun. 24 – Richmond, VA – Richmond Music Hall

Thu. Jun. 25 – Washington, DC – Songbyrd

Fri. Jun. 26 – Philadelphia, PA – Ortlieb’s

Sat. Jun. 27 – Brooklyn, NY – Union Pool

Sun. Jun. 28 – Medford, MA – Deep Cuts

Fri. Aug. 28 – Malaga, ES – Canela Party Festival

Sat. Aug. 29 – Brighton, UK – Alphabet

Tue. Sep. 01 – Leeds, UK – The Attic

Wed. Sep. 02 – Glasgow, UK – Hug & Pint

Thu. Sep. 03 – Birmingham, UK – Hare & Hounds

Fri. Sep. 04 – Southampton, UK – Heartbreakers

Sat. Sep. 05 – London, UK – The Lexington

Sun. Sep. 06 – Rotterdam, NL – Rotown

Tue. Sep. 08 – Berlin, DE – Urban Spree

Wed. Sep. 09 – Cologne, DE – Bumann & Sohn

Thu. Sep. 10 – Paris, FR – Point Ephemere

Sat. Sep. 12 – Lille, FR- Aeronef

Sun. Sep. 13 Asten, NL – Misty Fields Festival

^ with Mrs. Magician

# with Wintersleep

_Originally reported by [Brooklyn Vegan](https://www.brooklynvegan.com/weird-nightmares-alex-edkins-talks-new-album-hoopla-metz-mulaney-lps-everyone-should-own-more/)._