I first encountered Your Neighbour the Liar playing with Lightguides at Sneaky Pete's in Edinburgh several years ago, and then encountered them again when browsing the Carefully Planned Festival line-up. Unfortunately, given the column title, it seems that their drummer Jamie is moving to Berlin next month, so if you like them you are advised to blockade the airport upon his attempted departure - Ben.
(((o))): So, first and foremost, who are Your Neighbour the Liar and what are your musical backgrounds?
We are an indie-emo band based in Edinburgh. Jamie plays drums, Kyle plays guitar and sometimes sings and I (Andy) also play guitar and sing more. Kyle and I used to play in a pop rock band from when when were 15 and Jamie used to play in tech-metal band.
(((o))): How did the band come together?
We came together in November 2009 after attending an Algernon Cadwallader gig at 13th Note in Glasgow and deciding then that we would go have a practice together. A friend of ours then offered to put us on at a gig she was putting on the next month so we quickly got a set together and went for it.
(((o))): Please describe your sound in poetic form. (Haiku, rhyming couplets, acrostic, etc - take your pick)
I have never been great at poems, but here we go…
We are sometimes loud, but sometimes sad,
Hopefully you think we aren't that bad.
(((o))): How has your local scene impacted you as a band?
Edinburgh has a few good wee venues, but there has never been a big scene here. Luckily we would get put on good bills through in Glasgow when we were starting out.
(((o))): What can you tell us about your recorded output to date?
We recorded our first EP a month after we played our first gig to try and get more gigs and our name out there a bit more. It got a bit more attention than we expected from various blogs, magazines and radio. We then recorded another EP about 6 months later which was also well received. An American label called Keep it Together put out those two EPs along with our song John Slow and a live set on a cassette. We then released a 7" during summer 2011 and a split 7" later that year with our friends in Human Hands. We recorded a song for a split 7" with Empire! Empire! (I was a lonely estate) and Smithsonian, as part of a series on German label Time as a Color, which is due out soon.
(((o))): What do you think is the most difficult challenge facing new bands starting out in the music industry today?
There's a lot of different ways for new bands to promote themselves and a lot of new bands, so I think the most difficult part is getting your music out there to the right people who will appreciate what you are doing. I guess research is the key, knowing the promoters, recording studios, etc. in your area.
(((o))): Every band has different aims. What would have to happen for Your Neighbour the Liar to make you feel that you’d “made it”, so to speak?
We have never really set any aims at all in the band. I guess things just progressed nicely for us with regards to releasing music and playing tours. Travelling over to Europe to tour was a great moment for us.
(((o))): Are all neighbours intrinsically deceitful?
Not so much deceitful but my neighbour recently complained to the council about some stuff I had left in the landing, the fire brigade had to come move it as it was a 'fire hazard'. I was too ill to move the stuff myself which is why it was sitting there, don't know why she couldn't knock on my door or put a note through the door...?
(((o))): You’re given the opportunity to create your own All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival. What would be the first five bands on your list?
I’d like to see The Twilight Sad, Chrvches, Brand New, our friends in Penguins Kill Polar Bears and I’ll throw in Metallica too.
(((o))): Are there any upcoming bands you’d like us to feature soon?
Human Hands have their LP coming out soon which is great and definitely worthy of your time. Carson Wells also have some new stuff coming out soon.
(((o))): What are the band’s plans for the near future?
Jamie is moving to Berlin next month, so this is the beginning of the end for the band. We start recording our last EP this week and we’re playing at A Carefully Planned Festival on the 20th October. Hopefully we’ll manage to release the EP on vinyl and play a few final shows before the end of the year.
Your Neighbour the Liar play Manchester's Carefully Planned Festival on Sunday at 7pm.
