Interviews: Live Like Animals

We have had the opportunity to interview the Alternative Rock band Live Like Animals from Australia. Check out the interview and follow the band on their  FACEBOOK PAGE. 

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

The name Live Like Animals was a tough one to come by, but came in the most natural manner. After the dismemberment of myself and Nic’s former band My Kind of Memory, we found ourselves at a point of new beginnings with the push from what we already achieved driving us to aim bigger and higher than we had ever aimed before. At the forefront of what was most important to us; our love for the progressive heartbeat of the new sonic wave, alongside the impulsive nature of high intensity, with mammoth movement causing a total overload of the senses, was our sound; our story and who we wanted to be.

For us having this inherent strong hearted drive with an embedded deep rooted message was a momentous task to encapsulate to our audience. On one particular day of discussions while listening to some tunes in the background Nothing But Thieves song ‘Live Like Animals’. To us this song and it’s name meant everything to us. It really encapsulated what we were about; from the message to it’s sound. At first we didn’t let the name stick on as we kept looking for something to give us that same magical spark as listening to that song. It was literal months of deliberation, where one day we decided to take the plunge. Take hold of the wild nature that we are and run with the wind of Live Like Animals, to see where it would take us. And to this day it has pushed us far and beyond what we thought we could be capable of.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

For us in Live Like Animals we love to push the boundary, cause a little bit of chaos, and make art that is meaningful. We love the endless possibilities of genre mashing by using the strengths / influences of different genres to make something impeccable. I definitely feel the dramatic mood shifts that you hear in some of our tracks definitely has my input written all over it as I love the emotional journey that a song can take you, with the experience that comes with it.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Both me and Nic met through highschool when I transferred from one school to another in year 10 while Nic was doing his final year. At the time Nic was in a previous band to Live Like Animals more formally known as My Kind of Memory. While only being there for nearly the likes of 2 months, it came to the attention of the members of My Kind of Memory (which included Nic as the lead singer) that they were in grave need of a bass player for an up and coming “battle of the bands” competition held in our local area. Myself had already done a couple of performances in my class and had the attention of the music teachers already at such an early start to my new highschool. So one day as I’m washing up paint brushes in one of my art classes I get a knock on the door from one of the music teachers asking to speak to me. I was very surprised as I thought I was in deep trouble for something. I walk outside and their was my first interaction with Nic, as they said they had seen me kicking around in the music rooms doing stuff and were in need for someone to play bass for and asked if I could learn for of their songs in 2 weeks. My naive self replied with “but I've never played bass before, sorry guys don't think I can do it”. Eventually they convinced me to give it a crack and see what could go wrong. After that we kept playing some shows and I was formally introduced to the band, and that is where me and Nic’s friendship and band ship began till this day where Live Like Animals formed.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Nic Roy: Bring Me The Horizon

Ryan Waghorn: Boston Manor

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Writing music is a fun process to go through. Having the ability to create something from nothing and have that something have emotional value to those around you. Even sometimes that music changes the world around you. It’s always a high for me when writing and having that feeling of accomplishment of creating something that is pure, only made because of the effort was put in to create it. As well when in the music writing process… it always comes to critical points like a puzzle with concentration and meticulous critical thinking is involved in encapsulating what you are trying to do, whilst also expressing how it sonically makes you feel. Events around me and those that are with me are the biggest influences in our creative process, as those that come from a deep emotionally rooted background come out as the strongest songs for those to connect with.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was on the 31st of October 2020 at La La La’s in Wollongong for their Halloween show, just as the music scene was slowly starting to open back up from the historic Covid lockdown of 2020. For a lot of us at the time, the lockdown was a tough period, especially for the music scene which took a heavy hit as the live physical presents and the celebration for both musicians and music lovers alike was and still is a momentous piece of the music worlds pie. A form of expression for all. So for us that show was a true testament to the love of music we all have and its ability to connect all, even though a period where Covid-19 really tried to separate us apart, but despite all, we pushed on and worked together to pull ourselves out of lockdown.

7. Where would you like to act?

The goal for Live Like Animals is of course the big bold dream of playing a stadium show. To take in the arena feel and rock the socks off as many people as physically possible. We thrive on crazy ideas and big goals, as such we are determined individuals to get there. Our sound is designed for that type of setting and we play every show just like it's the big shots creating such a powerful angelic set. At the same time playing small tight rooms with small stages and absolutely no personal space whatsoever is what we love just as much. The ability to connect with the audience and mosh just as hard is moments that stay with us for many many years to come.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Up Late is a very new local Sydney band that we have been keeping a very keen eye on for a little while. We’ve really dug into their sound and how they manage to keep things groovy and with the times, while also upholding a very easy palatable sound for all to get a jam into. Following the same musical drive that we do of pushing the musical boundaries into a realm that is forward-thinking, as well as intergily additive to be taken away by the soft touch of their unique sound.

9. Whom not?

I’m of the mind set that if you have an interesting perspective that can create something beautifully positive with the sonic world of Live Like Animals, then it’s an avenue that intrigues me in the exploration of more than just myself.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Stage fright is a tough hurdle to climb over, for me, it came more naturally than others, but still a hurdle nevertheless. For those that have seen me and Live Like Animals perform, it’s a very energetic emotional experience, and with that my present is of a very manor. For me the biggest thing is getting into the groove, really feeling the music that your playing and trying to enjoy the time that you are having while performing to the best potential. I say to myself that “ all of this may one day go away, or I may never be able to perform again… so never have any regrets and make the most of it”, cause those that watch can tell everything. At the end of the day for me its about giving the audience a moment they will never for get. Once taking all that in consideration I stop worrying about myself and how others perceive me and make it about how I want to be perceived by the crowd.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

The biggest influences I had within the creative process came from listening to the greats of Jimmy Hendricks, Stevie Ray Von, and Slash. Masters of their craft and on a deeper emotional level on feel, mood and really getting their audiences to connect and be held by the edge of their seats. For me, they demonstrate the true power that music can have if ascertained with the right touch… even the power to uniformly bring people together, even through times of harsh segregation and a diverse array of backgrounds.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Hands down the weirdest thing that I had ever been asked by a fan was to do the most legendary rockstar thing… signing the good old boob. Luckily it was one of my guy mates that really loved our stuff. Gladly it hasn't gotten any weirder than that… but I suspect that day will come.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Our fans are absolute beasts, and we love and appreciate their support deeply and incredibly much. Without the people that love what we are doing, we wouldn't be here today. A band is only one-half of the musical pie… as the fans are what really give a band the life and uproar that is necessary for a strong united community. I've tended to release those that love our music are the same type of people that have a very open mindset to new concepts and musical evolutions. With that, those are the type of people I love to socialize with and have a smashing time with getting to know and understand a little better their perspective of life.

14. What do you think of our site?

Music news outlets such as ‘Breathing the core’ hold a very fundamental role in the cycle of the music industry, supplying listeners with the perspective of news and information such as personal unique perspective. With the important job of marrying both fans and the artist, they love to listen to, as well as providing insight in ways that big organizations just physically couldn't achieve.