An Interview With The LA-Based Alternative Band, CHARMING LIARS All About Their Brand New Album ‘Thought, Flesh and Bone’!

Photo by Catie Laffoon

TODAY, the Los Angeles alternative band Charming Liars released their new “Thought, Flesh and Bone” album.

Front-man Kiliyan Maguire says: “While “Time to Start” ushers in our new LP “Thought, Flesh and Bone”, it also serves as the final installment to our video trilogy “Spoon” which was filmed on location in New Orleans. At its root “Time to Start” grows from the same strange water that feeds any new beginning. It’s a highway ghost story about the phantoms that follow when you refuse to bury your past or your past self.” The Spoon trilogy includes previously released videos “Like A Drug“ and “Insomnia.“  The short film that makes up all 3 videos, directed by critically acclaimed Phillip Lopez, has been submitted for Short form consideration at several high profile film festivals,including Sundance 2019.

The band has previously released a couple EP’s. 2016 saw the release of their single “Soul” which reached number #40 on the Alternative Radio Charts and the video has over 600,000 views on Youtube.  They have been endorsed by no less an icon than Sir Elton John, who has played the band’s music on his Apple Music “Rocket Hour” show. A cover of Sir Elton’s “I’m Still Standing” was released in the spring of 2017 in conjunction with the Grammy organization’s MusiCares arm. The band continued to make inroads @ Alternative radio in the fall of 2017 with “Insomnia” and the spring of 2018 with Like A Drug. The band continued to make inroads @ Alternative radio in the fall of 2017 with “Insomnia” and the spring of 2018 with “Like A Drug”. “Something Dark” continued building upon their foundation in September 2018 and is still playing at Alternative radio.

They have built a following with constant touring, and have played across the entire U.S. as well as South America, Mexico, the U.K. and Brazil. Their touring resume includes recent stints with Dorothy and Welshly Arms.  They have also played on the Uproar tour, as well as opening for Night Riots, Kings of Leon, Weezer and Jack White.

Connect With Charming Liars Here:
Official Website: https://www.charmingliars.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharmingLiars/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charmingliars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charmingliars 
Spotify: https://show.co/49FgqTH
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/thought-flesh-and-bone/1450479138?ls=1&app=itunes 
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N2R56SB/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr7xMoyX3bXd-mY-LhUu6Kw
Bands In Town: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/4159334-charming-liars

Learn more about Charming Liars in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! What is on tap for the rest of your day? 

Today we’re in the studio prepping all of the road gear for our Album release show. Restringing guitars, cleaning rack gear, maintenance, rewiring and all of that stuff.. 🙂

Now that a new year has started, what musical goals does this band have for 2019? What are you most proud of about 2018? Do any of you make any New Years Resolutions?

I think the thing we’re most proud of with 2018 is the amount of touring we did. We did 2 back to back full US tours followed by a great European run. Dorothy and Welshly Arms really set a true example of how bands should perform night in night out. We were able to learn so much from them. For 2019, our goal is to get our album to as many ears as possible and to play the most amount of shows we’ve ever done. After last year, momentum is with us and we can’t wait to get out there!

Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be in this group together? Was it hard to think of a name that you could agree on?

At the time, we knew that the band name wouldn’t be something that was going to make or break us, so we didn’t put that much pressure on ourselves. We’ve always said that if we suck, our name will be crap and if we are great, our name will be great!!

How do you think your hometowns LA & London) have influenced the sound and how you all carry yourselves in this group?

I definitely think there’s an influence when you come from these big cities like LA and London… But I’m not sure exactly what it does to our sound and vision. We’ve met bands a long the way who are from smaller towns and we all seem to carry ourselves in the same way. We work really hard at our craft.

How has your various musical backgrounds helped shape the sound of this band?

Kiliyan loves the lyrical side of what we do and his upbringing and youth have definitely influenced how the songs are shaped lyrically. On the contrary, I was always drawn to the melody and catchiness of a tune and so I think that merging of the two is what helps create that middle ground for us.

How do you think that you have grown as a band since forming? What has remained the same?

We’ve always wanted the same thing – which is to be able to play music worldwide. That’s always been the goal and will continue to be. We’ve obviously grown in maturity, confidence, playing ability, and overall creativity.  We’re better than when we started but our drive to reach our goals has stayed the same.

Let’s talk about your forthcoming album, “Thought, Flesh and Bone.” What was it like making this collection? How did you approach the recording process compared to your previous EPs?

There was a period of about 10 months in 2016 & 2017 where we were spending so much time in the studio being creative and it was those sessions that spurned the foundation of this album. We did the whole thing at my production space and it meant that we could finish a song and then revisit it 6 months later. That flexibility really helped and it meant that after living with the songs for several months, we were able to identify the flaws and amend them. We were also able to identify them and in some cases, leave them as they were. So having plenty of time to work things out was key.

How would you say that your already released song “Time To Start” prepares listeners for the rest of your collection? What was the inspiration for this song in particular?

It definitely demonstrates a wide array of our musical compass (if I can say that). From Our perspective, that song is about being an onlooker into a toxic relationship and finding the right moment to intervene. It also serves as the connecting piece in our music video trilogy, “Spoon”.

Can you please talk about your “Spoon” trilogy? Where did the inspiration for these ideas first come from and creatively involved with the making of them were you guys?  How excited are you to have it submitted for Short form consideration at high profile film festivals including  Sundance this year?

We’ve always wanted to do a group of videos that we’re linked but never had the right idea or right vision for it. It also takes a lot of preparation and the right people producing it. So it all came together in terms of the pieces and once that happened, the storyline and plot were solidified by our brilliant director Phillip Lopez. Its been really incredible to submit to these festivals because as a band, that doesn’t happen a lot. We’re all big fans of film so putting that thread through the music and film world is a big goal for us and this music video trilogy and short film is the perfect starting point for us.

Generally, how do you all go about writing your music? Do you write together or separately?

It depends on the song. Sometimes Kiliyan will walk into the studio and have lyrics to a verse and chorus nailed down and we’ll work the rest around it. Sometimes I’ll be searching for a certain sound for a specific song and I’ll stumble on something unique. I’ll save what I’m doing, start a new session with that new sound, create a cool landscape and then bring it to Mike and Kiliyan’s attention when they’re next in the studio. Then there is the traditional way where we’re all in the studio and someone has an idea and we write a song in 30 mins. So the interesting thing about all of that is we never get bored or tired of making new songs because the process is always changing and varying.

Where do you think you are all happiest- in the studio recording new music, on stage performing or elsewhere?

I think we can all agree it’s on the stage!! Nothing can compare to playing songs to people who have no idea who you are and then seeing them start to realize that they like you – that’s a unique feeling! On top of that, being on stage and watching a crowd sing songs back to you… That’s unique and motivating as well.

Where can fans see you perform next? What do you think makes an ideal show for this group?

We’re currently putting the finishing touches on some of our own headline shows and we’re also in talks with some other acts to go on the road with them. So people will be able to see us in the near future in the US as well as Europe. An ideal show is when the crowd is into it, and feeding back positive energy – there’s nothing like it!

Do you find that all of social media and keeping up with your fans has gotten so overwhelming? Or do you rely heavily on others to take care of that for the band? Which platform would you say that you enjoy engaging with the most?

We’re very hands on and are responsible for everything that goes on our Social media platforms. Instagram definitely feels like it has the most direct and unique connection with others friends, fans and everyone in between and it definitely requires a lot of attention. The upside is that in a split second, you can put out a piece of news and everyone all over the world can see it. That aspect is pretty insane…..

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how you all think being musicians and in this band still gives you the most joy in life today? Do you find that your music is an escape to all the current events?

I think the process of going to a concert and watching a live band has been and will always be an escape for everyone. As music fans growing up, it was our escape. Finishing school and waiting to head to the show to see your favorite band – that was the best part of the week! Even now as musicians, we all get really excited when our favorite bands are in town. It’s the same feeling and it’s an escape. In that respect, it’s definitely a way to block out what’s happening in the political climate or indeed anything else that’s affecting you whether it’s positive or negative.

What musicians would you love to work with in the future? What artists have really been inspiring this group and your music since day 1?

We have dreams and aspirations to play with the biggest rock bands in the world and those have been our dreams from day one. From Foo Fighters to Muse to The Killers to U2. We’ve always wanted to share the stage with them and indeed the studio if we can! In fact those are the bands that have also influenced us.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

As long as people can feel something, we’re doing the right thing the way we want to. That’s the most important. Our music has many layers to it and if a listener can be inspired by a lyric or melody or guitar riff or synth, that’s all that matters. You can’t control what or how someone feels listening to a song that you’ve created BUT – you can make pretty damn sure that you give them as much chance to take something away from it as possible.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about Charming Liars?

I loved these questions! You can keep up to date with everything that’s happening in the CL world, always go to our website or social platforms!!