Music, Style & Culture

Liars: Heading Into The Unknown

Touring, Bauhaus, and breathing new life into old material.

Not so long ago, we sent Guy Purssell off to see Liars play Audio in Brighton, and he came back with not only this review, but the following interview. In it, Aaron (percussion / guitar / synth) and Angus (vocals / guitar) tell us about the tour they've just been on, Bauhaus, and breathing new life into old material.

Hello, how are you?
Aaron: Hello, I'm doing ok.
Angus: I'm stuffed full of pancakes.

How's the tour going?
Angus: Absolutely delirious. I hope it never ends.
Aaron: Amazing. We finally had the opportunity to play in Istanbul!

You're all getting on, then? The band harmony is good?
Aaron: This tour was very harmonious. We have Nick Dewitt on bass and Jesse Jackson on guitar, very harmonious.
Angus: Tranquil verging on rainbow.

Reflecting on 'Sisterworld', how do you think reception to the new album has gone?
Aaron: Reception is hard to evaluate. Our general feeling is to appreciate any response, good or bad, but ultimately we remain somewhat aloof. That being said, I am extremely proud of 'Sisterworld'.
Angus: Making 'Sisterworld' was a really big step for us. It's a record I'll always see as a milestone of sorts. The project was all encompassing and I'm glad it's now out there living its own life.

Can you tell us the story behind the album title?
Angus: We wanted to develop different perspectives of Los Angeles and explore the spaces inhabited by them.
Aaron: We had many titles that didn't make the cut, at some point I think it would be funny to post them all.

You've just released your 'Live at Shepherds Bush Empire EP' (on US iTunes) and you have a live CD available on tour, do you enjoy listening to live recordings or do you feel that sometimes the onstage energy doesn't come through?
Aaron: There's no way a live CD can, or should be expected to replace the feeling experienced at a live show... good or bad. We thought it would be fun to try and release a live CD, that's all.
Angus: That once was a hang up for me – the loss of perspective when listening to a live show recording. Recently I've embraced the idea as a document in time. A way to capture a moment that can never be relived.

You still play a few tracks from older albums, is it ever hard to find enthusiasm to play them or are they just as enjoyable as more recent songs?
Aaron: It's different, never "the same as..." or "as much as..", just different. It all depends to me on how they interact with the rest of the set.
Angus: I find it just as exhilarating to play old songs when they're given a big breathe of new life.

Is there any particular reason behind your cover of Bauhaus' 'In The Flat Field'?
Angus: Since Liars began Aaron and I have been very influenced by the Bauhaus and are often surprised it's never come up.
Aaron: Yes, it's out of appreciation for their music. We've always been hugely influenced by their music and again, it seemed to fit into the whole set.

Oh really? What other bands have you found influential when writing?
Aaron: We try to block out any direct musical influences at the time of writing so that any or all influences (TV, sports, movies, books, music etc.) are included in a more natural way.
Angus: I'm generally not interested in being influenced by other peoples music when writing an album. I do appreciate, thought, other artists' ethics and working processes. For example: Ween - 'The Pod'. They recorded 3,600 hours of tape and inhaled five cans of Scotchgard.

Evolution or revolution, which do you prefer?
Aaron: Evolution. Revolution is going around in a circle.
Angus: Devo.

Have you discovered any new and interesting bands whilst touring?
Aaron: No.
Angus: Earl Sweatshirt, The Dangerous Boys Club, Standish / Carlyon.

Is image important for the band, or do you feel you only need to represent yourselves musically?
Aaron: I don't know how you would divide that or why. Maybe in our case we don't have the time and resources to more fully elevate the visual element as much as we'd like, I still believe we have an image that is inseparable. I think image is important, yes.
Angus: The use of visual tools is worthwile and can often stimulate or influence a musical idea. I think embracing all mediums is the most productive way to get your ideas communicated correctly

Finally, what does the future hold for Liars?
Angus: The sheer terrifying beauty of the complete unknown.
Aaron: I wouldn't want to know beforehand.