Following on from the huge praise they received for their latest EP 'Die Waiting' last year, Melbourne-based outfit MID CITY are back once again to share another stellar outing in the form of 'Liar Liar'.
Produced by Oscar Dawson (Holy Holy, Alex Lahey, Ali Barter), 'Liar Liar' sees the group return in stellar form. Filled with blistering hooks, thunderous production, and a truly catchy chorus, it seems like this Aussie four-piece just seem to get better and better.
So with the new single doing the rounds right now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has inspired them most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Definitely guitar. My dad was a bedroom strummer and had a couple of shitty guitars lying around when I was little. He had that Beatles song book (that every good household should have!) and I would often make him pull it out. The song I remember making him play the most was ‘Yesterday’.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
A question we often ask ourselves after writing a song is “how would the chorus go down at a festival”? We’re really inspired by bands that can command the attention of a big crowd. Nothing beats that.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
Guitar was still my favourite instrument as a teenager but rather than flicking through dads Beatles book I was interested in flicking on and off distortion pedals. Like just about every other guitar loving teenager on the planet I went through a grunge phase listening back to Nirvana. I had a brit pop phase where I was fixated on the Gallagher brothers and I also recall a pretty heavy punk rock phase listening to Blink 182.
What inspires you to make music?
My favourite thing about music is the emotion it can bring out in you. A good tune is a massive endorphin rush. A killer hook can turn a shit day into a good one in a matter of a few bars. The thought that something MID CITY created may have that effect on someone is a pretty good reason to keep picking up the guitar.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’m a big fan of Aussie band DMA’s at the moment. I think they’re great songwriters who embrace a big chorus. They are a band that definitely has the festival mindset. I love that. Another band that seems to get spoken about a lot in this band is Idles. They’re not a massive chorus band but there is something really attractive about their attitude and delivery.
What has been the most unusual moment in your career so far?
It was last year on our first trip to Europe. We had just finished soundcheck at the very first show (in Germany) and walked out onto the street and there where 3 or 4 fans there waiting. Here we were, worried no one would show up to the show let alone get there 4 hrs early and maybe see us beforehand. It was an unusual moment but also a really gratifying one. Little MID CITY from Melbourne Australia had serious fans on the other side of the world!
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Given I’ve mentioned festival bands are our favourite it would have to be someone that goes large. Maybe The Killers? It would have to be Sam’s Town era though. Actually, what am I saying!? We’d open for The Killers anytime!
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
If I didn’t spend so much time learning the guitar as a kid I probably would have had more time for sport and got really really good at Aussie rules football, then went on to play for the mighty Geelong Cats.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Don’t be precious. Writing songs is like throwing mud against a wall. It doesn’t all stick.
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MID CITY's new single 'Liar Liar' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.