DIIV | In Conversation

When they released their second album Is the Is Are in 2016, DIIV were at a tipping point. They knew if they got it right, they could claim a place in the big leagues, but the chaos that had made the band so thrilling took over, and the grimy, candid tales of addiction on the album ended up smothering them. With his band hanging by a thread, founder Cole Smith moved to LA and, slowly but surely, changed his life. Now, they're back with Deceiver, an epic, heavy and even more personal third record. NME met Smith and bassist Colin Caulfield to hear how they lived to tell the tale.
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[@sebastianvelozo7116]

Cole is wearing the hoodie I gifted him when they played in my country (chile)💙

[@sebastianvelozo7116]

@@CSGraduateGrind it's a hoodie I made on serigraphy

[@o0lama0o]

That is amazing! It looks good :)

[@pixussb7524]

Ohhh, aún las haces? Me muero por tener un polerón así

[@ellarosenfeldt7526]

Was thinking how sick that hoodie is that whole interview! So cool

[@zula0317]

I want that too 😭

[@Izma1988]

I like the other two albums. But DECEIVER????dude, I’m hooked. The band is so much more mature. Zack, we Diivers are so proud of your improvement in your personal life. It’s never easy. We are proud of you, man!!!

[@KellySilva13]

Ismael Macaia I prefer the first two. Deceiver is a good album. They’re amazing! I saw them last week in Dallas.

[@michaelshaw1327]

I feel the same. Casual fan of the first two but Deceiver is its own beast. Easy front runner for a spot in top album of the year for me.

[@audiolego]

For the guilty,taker, like you were born. What a songs.

[@orngpeelr9017]

I met Cole a couple weeks ago and he's honestly such a down to earth and grateful guy, so im glad he and the band are doing better

[@newmoonsamesun]

I love the way this band has evolved. I’m on my 3rd full listen on the album, and it’s just incredible. The music sounds something like if Elliott Smith decided to write a shoegaze record. I’m left wanting more.

[@losgrowlers6397]

I 100% agree with this ,elliot smith vibes

[@DeadFlowers69]

First I heard it, I was thinking it sounded a bit like Elliott Smith's earlier band Heatmiser. Check them out if you haven't already.

[@bladeeshotgf5500]

Zachs voice is so sweet I love listening to him speak

[@olliebombard9892]

Welcome back, Deceiver is killer. Acheron is incredible, just a perfect song. Glad you made it Cole, this album will speak to a lot of people who’ve been there.

[@Luisandresquiv]

I've followed this band for long time and honestly this new album is exactly what I wanted to hear from them. They really evolved for good. Deceiver is amazing!

[@LukeMiloDesign]

The record fucking rocks! Blankenship, Horsehead, Skin Game, the Spark… so amazing!

[@ziggyzoo8731]

‘For the guilty’ is one of the most beautiful shoegaze tracks I’ve ever fucking heard. Deceiver is DIIV evolved and it’s brilliant

[@JackFHerrera]

I met Cole at the DIIV show last night in Austin, TX. Super nice dude and looking well, glad everything is working out for him. They put on such an energetic show while they jammed their new tunes from the amazing Deceiver. I hadn't headbanged like that in a while! It was awesome. These guys are my favorite, I love everything they're doing right now. Cheers.

[@scottsweatshirt9753]

I discovered Is The Is Are while studying for the licensing exam of my chosen profession in early 2016. Strangely, the first two tracks would then accompany the start to my treadmill running routine for years to come. Did not realize until earlier today that they had a new album out, and only now learning of Cole’s path to recovery, a personal journey I have been on since early 2007. Cheers to the band on their growth, success, and ongoing evolution.

[@bongwelll]

Just after 3:00 Colin said something that Harry Nilsson said. They way to approach a song is to scrutinize the parts “why is that part here”. I think that’s a great way to write songs. That’s why they don’t have filler songs they cut the fat. Wish more bands would do that.

[@AvgJane19]

+

[@jamiecal11]

So happy to see him doing well. Not surprised the album has turned out so well, it's clear he's in a good place and has a natural chemistry with Colin. Sharing some of the responsibilities with him and the rest of the band has made for a fantastic change of pace.

[@audiolego]

What a songwriter. These two are like Lennon and Mcarthy. Their both so good. Is Are , fantastic album. Healthy 🌙

[@KhryztyamCR]

The new album is awesome!

[@fancy0dancy]

Deceiver is amazing ❤️

[@xotilwo]

Colin is genuinely so smart and insightful

[@isiahhodge333]

There first two albums had some good songs on them,But Deceiver is definetly there best album hands down! And one of my new favorites as well.

[@enjoiandrew69]

I feel the opposite, deceiver has some good tracks, but to me, the last two albums were almost perfect.

[@isiahhodge333]

@@enjoiandrew69 wow lol did you not like their new sound?

[@waynejkvideo]

Brilliant interview, so glad to have DIIV back with a new album! For the record, Deceiver = ❤🔥 Keep doing what you do!

[@Hayyden]

glad to see Cole doing and looking better after some scares w/ hard drugs and the law. #Human #Earthboy #Follow

[@redhotaholic]

So happy and proud of these guys! Deceiver is AWESOME, can't stop listening to it!

[@latoiakell3661]

Deceiver is a gorgeous album! 💜💜

[@CHOMAD]

Omg... I’m korean boy! 🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷 I love this interview 🙋🏻‍♂️❤️ I’m a big fan 😭👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@gillart99]

What they said about writing the song entirely - including melodies and harmonies - before the lyrics - these are the bands I love. Music first. Lyrics second. R. E. M., for example, went off a cliff when they stopped doing just that.

[@gnerd99]

This album has restored my faith in guitar music. Absolutely sublime!

[@ericquitugua5546]

I love that DIIV are in a great place. It translates on the new record as they've gotten away from that dreamy Captured Tracks kinda sound of yore and put out sludgy gold. I also recently caught them in Austin last week after having seen them a few times over the last four years and they seem invigorated.

[@holodais9067]

So awesome to see them back at it with a new album!

[@ghoul3762]

Favourite band by far. Seeing them in February :))))))

[@leahcedula2779]

i love you DIIV. you guys are my favorite shoegaze band and probably will forever be my favorite. both musically and lyrically you're so inspiring

[@YareYareYaroze]

That moment at 7:00 carries a lot of weight. I'm glad they're okay. Love the last record.

[@regdwight235]

Fucking love this band Forty four years of age and an absolute fan boy 😂their music has actually helped me through such recent hard times

[@surfthestreets86]

Love DIIV 💘

[@veerchasm1]

I’m proud of this band for “staring into the Abyss” and becoming better for it

[@aidanamphlett]

Finally getting to see DIIV live for the first time in London next February. Been waiting years to hear their songs live (follow is my favourite song of all time by any artist) and I just checked the tour setlist and they're only playing 1 or 2 old songs I'm actually gonna cry 😂😭

[@phew9418]

I like to think this is just the beginning for Diiv

[@miguelgomes6849]

One of the best LP of the year

[@a.nlucia]

Love them so badly and the album is incredible ❤

[@pmx1000_]

Best band in the world

[@veerchasm1]

These two have the expressions of friends that have gone to Hell and back and are closer for it. Deceiver is amazing

[@koreypaul6698]

Loved Colon during the Young Man days. Saw him live a few years ago and been a fan ever since.

[@stephenlasko9217]

Love your Colon

[@ellaturkiewicz333]

Seeing them in April ❤️ hope I get to meet them

[@nardadlf5679]

Love the new album!!! I hope they come back to Peru pretty soon

[@TheOddestThing]

Sad when he said that the old sound isn't what the band is anymore :***(

[@kenrandall4493]

The Oddest Thing their first two albums are great but I’m glad that he said that because the best bands are the ones that evolve and change their sound while still staying true to themselves. Sure this album sounds a lot heavier but it is definitely a DIIV record in its own. They seem really self aware which is what’s going to contribute to the longevity of the band.

[@waynesilverman4409]

Especially the old drummer .I love past lives .Seeing them next feb carnt wait

[@Robert-dt3is]

Is The Is Are is peak DIIV

[@user-gv8vv2id7t]

why would you want a band to keep doing the same things over and over?

[@TheOddestThing]

@@user-gv8vv2id7t No one said I did. Its just a ending of an era. Alot of emotions came from their old sound. New sound I'm still grtting use to...let me adjust

[@southtoe3607]

I'd love to meet Cole someday As a fellow Cole

[@enjoiandrew69]

Still love diiv and I'll always love the first two records but if that old sound never comes back, I'll never truly be that into their music again. Their last sound was so unique and complex. I'm glad they're proud of this new record but all that washed out distortion sounds like hot ass in my ears.

[@user-jq4sh2bx4l]

Yeah! NU Album!!!!!!!!

[@darthmon26]

taker and for the guilty are just fucking amazing

[@Daytripped]

I met this band back in 2012 and never gave them a chance because the two or three I was chatting to were clearly born rich kids which isn't really rock and roll imo. Fast forward 11 yrs and I see this video and am shocked at this story of what they became. Hoping they all good now because they were very friendly people.

[@StringSun]

See you in Birmingham UK 😁

[@MtnDewPoptart]

Diiv🖤

[@OHHnoYOUdidntMAN]

DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

[@olgazhosyan9281]

V excited to see you guys live in a few months! On a more random note, can anyone tell me what shoes Cole is wearing? Lol

[@EYDuff]

I think they are Doc Martens 1460 Mono Smooth's in all black. At least they look like the pair I just got!

[@EYDuff]

or maybe the vegan 101s actually - 6 eyelets for the laces

[@MITCHY_B_2003]

I wonder what ever became of the old bassist with the epiphone thunderbird ?

[@pattern_walks]

he was kicked out for posting racist and misogynistic shit to 4chan lol

[@pellullis]

come here Sadafacas !!! to the Spicy long south of the worlddd! ..-.--..

[@newmoonsamesun]

If you want that old Diiv sound listen to Launder

[@werrickdinn4878]

demogorgon music ltd i don’t really see the correlation. Old diiv was basically two lead guitars all over the place, granted it sounded amazing. Launder is definitely a lot slower paced. Cool that Cole plays guitar in launder though! So stoked on the new record. I hear some Alex g influence. Horsehead is definitely in my top 5 tracks of the year.

[@kidkique]

If you want that old diiv sound listen to old diiv albums

[@crushy44]

God I miss youngman

[@Zeonoid]

Like like like liked

[@sergiomendez3787]

e y e b r o w s

[@richdhaliwal1494]

Anyone else think Skin Game is perfect? ❤

[@TheOddestThing]

I been listening to Deceiver over and over and I don't like it....but I'm trying to so hard

[@kidkique]

If you don't like it you don't like it... don't change who you are to fit in

[@brendancampbell6803]

Its like a new band without devin BRING HIM BACCKKKKKKK

[@thekeepers15]

The album is great , it was so well produced and thought out , but yo zach looks baaaad dude .

[@matthewwilson5180]

10:32

[@aperez5360]

yeah that was pretty damn funny haha

[@sab_7423]

I have no idea what this is but i like being the 2nd to comment 😂

[@ComesWithChips]

Is he wearing make up

[@pstrokeslibsarctic]

cant hear shit

[@anon8380]

weak interviewer fire him