Liotia

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Liotia

Interview conducted on September 15, 2020

By Dan Locke

Liotia are an electro-acoustic duo combing the songwriting and haunting vocals of Abigail Hubbard with the of beats and soundscapes of producer Matthew Smyth.

What is your upbringing?

Matt: I grew up in a small little seaside town in the South East of the UK. My Dad left when I was 10 years old so I see my childhood very much in two halves. The first half, a normal happy family and the second half, poorer and challenging in many ways. Not much ever happened in my town but it was a great place for exploring the inside of my own head. Thankfully there were always musical instruments and devices around the house so I could tinker.
Abi: I grew up in the same seaside town as Matt and It was great having the beach on your doorstep. I was very lucky to have good friends and family. I’m quite an introverted person so even as a teenager I was very happy on my own, tinkering on the guitar and trying to write songs.

How did you discover music?

Matt: I got a snare drum for my 8th birthday and it sort of grew from there, I was also always taking apart things and got into making tapes. This progressed into recording my own stuff and developing from there. My Dad used to be a drummer and I have a lot of happy memories listening to music in the car. I think that possibly had the biggest influence on me.
Abi: Through my parents. I have lots of early memories of my dad playing vinyl and dancing around the kitchen. They’ve always had great taste in music and an eclectic collection which has definitely influenced my taste. Some of the first albums I bought were by Dionne Warwick and Enya!

How did you start to write music?

Matt: It was really at the advent of technology. I played drums badly as a kid but computers, turntables and 4 tracks opened up a whole new world for me.
Abi: I began learning to play the guitar at 11 and was always more interested in making up my own riffs, sounds and chord progressions rather than playing other peoples. I’ve always had a need to write lyrics too which sparked at around 13 years old. I gradually married the two but it wasn’t until uni when I grew a bit more confident in my ability.

Abigail-How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?

Abi: My first guitar was a birthday present and I unfortunately don’t have it anymore.

Matt- How did you start mixing?

Matt: Experimenting with tapes and turntables. I learned how to scratch when I was about 16 and started making layered mixtapes, bouncing between two regular tape players. I was in a band at school, we sucked but it was a lot of fun. A few years later I bagged a job in a studio, saying I’d got more experience than I really had. My first session was a nightmare, I didn’t have a clue. But I still loved the process and got my head stuck into the manuals and slowly began to understand how everything worked. I’m still learning every day. That’s what I find so fascinating about it. I’m never fully happy.

What was your first performance at like?

Abi: I think our first performance with just the two of us was at my dad’s 50th birthday party (the folks have always been big supporters!) I remember our set up being really basic compared to what it is now, with Matt just on the drum machine, no laptops or synths and me with my electric guitar. I always get very nervous before a gig and even more so performing to close friends and family. It was a good start though and we’ve come a long way since then, we’re always looking at ways we can develop and improve our live performances.

What makes a good songwriter?

Abi: I think it’s important not to underestimate our feelings or creative ability, so for me, a good songwriter is someone who is able to draw on their own character and emotions and challenge that.
I really like this Brian Eno quote; ‘the point about working is not to create great stuff all the time, but to remain ready for when you can.’

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?

Abi: I was learning a lot of blues in my early guitar days, and I remember writing a blues-inspired song called ‘Me and My Guitar’ with lots of solos’s in-between the verses! I didn’t record it. There are fair few songs that are for my ears only.

How did you start the band?

Matt: We both worked at the same music charity (Pie Factory Music). Abi was doing music workshops whilst I managed the charity’s studio facility. I heard Abi’s demo and we worked on an EP which was released under her name, she started a band to gig her stuff, I got involved a little further down the line. We had a break around 2013 while Abi went traveling. After that, we thought it would be cool to start a new project and that’s when Liotia was born.

How the band did get its name?

Abi: We’d been thinking about a band name for a while and one evening I was deep into a google search when I came across the word ‘Liotia’ which is a small sea creature. We both loved the sound of the word and have the connection of living by the sea, so thought it was quite fitting.

Abigail- You describe your music as “Echoing in Stillness”?

Abi: Yeah, that was a very early on description when I was writing and performing a lot by myself. I was (and still can be) a very quiet singer and often had lots of space in my compositions.

Tell me about “Be Here Always”, which comes out Sept. 27?

Abi: I’ve always had a bit of battle between my mind and my heart as I often feel the social pressures to live a certain way when all I would like to do is make music and earn a decent living from it. There’s now added pressure of social media which feeds us with all kinds of ‘rubbish’ and can influence our decisions. Yet, having a good social presence is such an integral part of becoming a successful band… I’ve got a bit of a love/hate relationship with it! Anyway, this song draws on those thoughts and how we end up doing things or posting filtered pictures up on Instagram that aren’t a true reflection of ourselves. It’s so important to be here in the moment and talk from one human to another…When I wrote the mainline on the keys, the song and lyrics developed very naturally. Matt then added some crunchy layers and nudged it up many levels.

What is your favorite track on the album?

Matt: We’re still in production but at this point in time I would say the song Let Down, it has some really cool synth parts that Abi created and it has a brooding Dub bass line, I think the track manages to bring in elements of all the different genres I love, from Hip Hop to 70s Prog, Reggae and Electronica.
Abi: I really love our newest single, Be Here (Always) because It reflects the new direction we’re going in and I love what Matt’s done production-wise. We have a few songs that are still in the early stages though, so I may well change my mind!

How do you stay healthy while touring?

Matt: I try to eat as healthily as possible and sleep when I can. It’s a very different way of living but so far, all my tours have been at most 3 weeks so it’s not that long.

What are you’re feeling about streaming music?

Matt: Very mixed, on the one hand, I love the convenience and how quick it is to find new music. Someone can tell me about a great record and I can immediately save it on my phone. However, the splits for artists from the biggest platforms are terrible you need an absolutely huge number of streams before you even make minimum wage. Personally, I use Tidal as they pay musicians a lot more than the other platforms.
Abi: Yeah, I totally agree with Matt here. Spotify is so easily accessible, but If you really want to support musicians head to Bandcamp/buy merch.

Digital vs. vinyl?

Matt: Not fussed, is the song good? A great song is a great song regardless of format. Some of my favourite music is really badly recorded and I have it on cassette only but there’s a vibe and that’s what stirs the soul. But compression, that’s a whole other discussion! Thankfully the trend for ever louder masters is declining.
Abi: I love how vinyl is making a comeback, you can’t beat having the physical record!

You delay the release of your single “Silence” by ONE WEEK! to be for the BLM. To show your solidarity for all who have suffered from Police violence or racism across the globe. What are your feelings about the social uprising going on in the United States?

Matt: So first we delayed the release by one week. It’s a small gesture but I’m fully aware that the history of Rock N Roll is built on foundations created by Black people. In my professional life as a sound engineer, I have spent most of my time working with Hip Hop, Reggae, Blues and Jungle artists so I’m aware how Black peoples’ experience of the world differs from mine. A couple of years back I partnered with Adrian Sherwood to do some remixes for Living Colour highlighting issues with gun violence in the USA. Again, this is a small gesture but I really feel for people in the USA when I see what’s going on. With the election cycle, I can only see things getting worse as both political parties seek to divide people further. It really is divided and conquer. There’s a huge divide between rich and poor affecting people on race and class lines. I hope the situation improves. We have the similar problems here in the UK, although it hasn’t turned to violence. I think we will see more problems once COVID subsides and the full impact of the economic situation is felt.

What is the mental health situation of the United State? How can the public help the doctors and nurses on the front line?

Matt: I don’t know so much about the US right now, we’re based in the UK as no one I know has travelled since of COVID but mental health problems over here are very real. We lost our drummer to suicide a few years back and while the pain fades there’s so many strains on people’s lives, just 3 days ago another person I know took their own life. I think as a band we’re hyper aware of these issues. Some stuff is way too deep to go into here. In terms of helping those on the front line, I’ve been shouting from the rooftops that those in the Health Service need a pay rise, the pay was already pretty crappy but these people have literally risked their lives for us during this pandemic. Full support to those in the NHS and care professions. PAY RISE NOW!

Do you think kids should go back to school his fall?

Matt: There needs to be clear guidelines based on the best scientific information available and only if this can be done safely. In all honesty, I think the school system doesn’t suit a lot of young people, I think a good few have thrived whilst being home schooled but that’s not the same experience for everyone. I hope we can take some time to evaluate the whole system if I’m honest.

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

Matt: Genesis – Behind the Lines: My Dad is a big Prog Rock and Jazz fan and I think the drums on this are fantastic. I’m always drawn to drums and I guess I’m in a nostalgic mood this morning.
Abi: Minne Riperton – Les Fleurs: I love the vocals and the whole journey this song takes you on. It’s my go to song at the moment and it’s one of my dad’s favourite too.

How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?

Matt: I wish I knew! I make up about 60% of my income from live music, I really hope we can gig again soon.
Abi: I’m trying to remain positive but there’s so much uncertainty at the moment. A lot of bands, musicians, technicians, venues etc. are only just getting by and I definitely don’t think it’s going to go back to how things were for a long time.

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

Matt: Reading, gardening and making music.
Abi: Even pre-lockdown I did a lot of work from home so I’ve continued to do so and definitely found more time for making music, walking, reading, gardening and making pizza!

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

Matt: Gardening! I’ve been growing food which I’ve never done before, it’s been really cool to eat food we grew ourselves. I’ve loved being able to catch up on all the books I’ve bought but not had time to read. It’s helped with music too as I’ve been reading a lot of producer biographies.
Abi: Very similar to Matt to be honest! I’ve loved gardening and have currently got a garden full of courgettis and beans. I’ve also loved going for long walks listening to podcasts.

95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. Which is your favorite streaming channel?

Matt: I hardly watch TV but I do watch Netflix with my girlfriend from time to time. I’m happier reading though, films are too long for my brain to deal with. I’ve read a lot of Nassim Taleb in lockdown and George Martin and Nile Rodgers biographies, I’m now reading Charles Mingus.
Abi: I don’t watch much TV but if I do get into a series/film it’ll be on Netflix or Amazon.

Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. What are you planning to do?

Matt: I think we’ll be doing a show from my living room very soon! For me I’m thinking through how we can best do it whilst maintain a level of production I’m comfortable with.
Abi: I’ve done a few solo videos as we weren’t able to get together for a while, but we’ll be doing one together very soon.

With no real live music (mostly virtual shows) expect for things like Drive-In Theater shows with crowds for the past 6 months, what do you think will be the future of music?

Abi: Live music can’t stop forever; it will make a comeback!

How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merch to them at the show?

Abi: I suppose that’s the beauty of social media and I think Bandcamp have been a great help in wavering fees once a month.

Live Nations just started Live Nation from Home? Which are concerts from artist homes. An all-new virtual music hub keeping fans connected to their favorite artists featuring daily live streams, performances, new music, and more. Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?

Abi: Nick Cave did a ticketed live stream from Alexandra Palace which was only available to people who brought tickets. I think that’s the only way people will be able to make a living. But, the smaller up and coming bands/artists need a platform to be heard too.

For smaller bands who do not play large crowds, this is not really an issue. How do you see bands going back to smaller venues and doing things like play for the door, with no guarantees?

Matt: Again, I really wish I knew the answers here, I feel I’ve been wracking my brain for ideas that feel right and it’s hard. Prior to lockdown we had a clear plan of what we wanted to do, we could make a record and travel round the country doing shows. I’ve even questioned quitting music professionally but I know in my heart I can’t do that. I’ve started doing some studio sessions and there’s remix work coming in so I just hope we can get back to live work, in a proper sense.

With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it may be the end of the music fest for the next couple of years?

Matt: Some of the socially distanced events I’ve seen look really sucky and are very expensive for the experience the audience gets. Maybe the industry accepts that for two years we’re all taking a hit. Music will never die though; it means too much!

What about Holographic concerts in our living room?

Matt: I’d be up for that!
Abi: Freaky, but yeah!

How do you see yourself in the next five years?

Matt: Making music, keeping educating and build myself as a human, be the best I can.
Abi: Living a healthy balanced life and continuing to make music.

Anything you would like to say in closing?

Matt: I hope everyone remains safe and well in these times. Let’s try not to let external forces divide us. Get Bitcoin!
Abi: For anyone wishing to support musicians, please do head over to Bandcamp or pop into a record shop. Stay safe, eat pizza, grow veggies!