SH: Yeah, I think that’s really well put. I think about those times and those feelings a lot, and I feel like, at least for me, I can access them easily in my writing. I think that’s one of the reasons why it’s so fun to write with Eva because she’s always tapping into those big, intense feelings. And I think it’s a good reminder that those feelings are always there and accessible, even if we’re not actively experiencing them in the moment. They’re always there, and they can always be tapped into for creativity or just for understanding yourself a little bit better.
Friendship
EH: I think the idea of friendship is very much a part of our band and our music. It’s something that’s really important to us, and it’s a huge part of our lives. I think friendship is really the foundation for everything that we are able to do creatively and personally. When you have a group of people around you who you trust and love and who trust and love you, it makes everything feel so much lighter and easier to bear. It’s so important to have that support system when you’re going through tough times, and I think that’s something that really comes through in our music and in our relationships with each other.
SH: Yeah, I think that’s definitely true. I feel like we’ve been through so much together as a band, and we’ve always had each other’s backs. We’ve been there for each other through thick and thin, and I think that’s really reflected in our music. It’s like we’re all in it together, and we’re all supporting each other and lifting each other up. I think that’s what makes our music so special – that sense of unity and camaraderie that we have as a band.
HAIM
EH: We’re huge fans of HAIM. I think they’re such an amazing band, and they’re definitely an inspiration for us. I love their music, and I think they’re just really talented musicians and songwriters. I think they have this really cool blend of pop and rock that we try to emulate in our own music. I love how they write catchy, hooky songs that still have a lot of depth and emotion to them. I think that’s something we strive for in our music as well – to write songs that are fun and catchy but also have a lot of heart and soul to them.
SH: Yeah, HAIM is definitely a huge influence on us. I think they’re just such a great band, and we really admire what they do. They have this really cool sound that’s both retro and modern at the same time, and I think that’s something we try to incorporate into our music as well. I love their harmonies and their songwriting, and I think they’re just really talented musicians overall. They’re definitely a band that we look up to and aspire to be like.
Fatherhood
SH: Becoming a dad has definitely changed my perspective on a lot of things. It’s made me more aware of the passing of time and the importance of cherishing every moment. It’s also made me more emotional and more in touch with my feelings, which I think has had a positive impact on my songwriting. I think being a dad has made me more empathetic and more understanding of other people’s experiences, which I think comes through in our music. It’s definitely been a life-changing experience, and I think it’s made me a better person and a better musician.
EH: I think seeing Sam become a dad has been really inspiring for all of us. It’s amazing to see him take on this new role and embrace it with so much love and care. I think it’s brought a new depth and maturity to our music, and I think it’s made us all more conscious of the emotions and experiences that we’re writing about. I think it’s made us all more connected and more invested in each other’s lives, and I think that’s really reflected in our music. It’s been a really beautiful thing to witness, and I think it’s made us all closer as a band and as friends.
Forever is out now. Listen here.
SH: I think it’s interesting that you say that, because I feel like we all have our own individual relationships with each other. Like, for example, I have a different relationship with Eva than I do with Eddy. We all have our own little things that we share with each other that are just between the two of us. So, when we were apart for that year and a half, I definitely missed those little things that I would share with each of them individually. It’s like having different best friends, but they’re all in one group. It’s a weird dynamic, but it works for us.
EV: Yeah, and I think that time apart really made us appreciate each other more. We were able to see what we brought to the table individually and how that contributed to the whole. It was like, “Oh, I really miss Eddy’s energy,” or “I really miss Spencer’s perspective.” It made us realize how much we needed each other and how important our friendship is to the band.
EH: Absolutely. I think that time apart was necessary for us to grow individually and come back together stronger as a unit. We were able to appreciate each other in ways that we hadn’t before, and I think that’s reflected in the music we created for this album. Our friendship is at the core of everything we do, and I’m so grateful for that.
SH: Same here. I think our friendship is what sets us apart as a band. We have a bond that goes beyond just making music together. We truly care about each other and support each other through everything. It’s a special dynamic that I don’t think many bands have, and I’m grateful for that.
EV: Definitely. Our friendship is what keeps us going, even when things get tough. We know that we always have each other’s backs, and that’s what makes us such a strong unit. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
EH: Agreed. Our friendship is the foundation of everything we do, and I know that as long as we have that, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way. I’m so grateful for my bandmates and the bond we share. It’s truly something special.
It’s funny because when I was writing the album, I was going through a pretty big adjustment period with my medication. I had been on Lexapro for a while, and then I started to feel really weird and was like, “I think I need to change something.” So I was transitioning to a different medication while writing, and it was a really interesting experience because, obviously, when you’re changing your brain chemistry, things get a little wild. But I also felt like it was a really important part of the process. I wanted to be open about it because I think there’s a lot of stigma around medication and mental health, and I think it’s so important to be honest about what we’re going through. So I wanted to talk about it and share that experience.
SH: Yeah, I think it’s really brave of you to talk about it. I remember when you first started taking it, and it was like night and day. It was like, “Oh, this is the Eva that I know and love.”
EH: Yeah, it was a big change. And I think that’s also reflected in the music because a lot of the songs are about that period of time and that adjustment. But I also feel like it was a really important part of the process because I was able to look at things in a different way and really dig into my feelings and emotions in a way that I hadn’t before.
SH: Absolutely. I think it’s so important to be open about these things and to talk about mental health. It’s something that affects so many people, and I think the more we talk about it, the more we can break down those barriers and stigmas.
EH: Definitely. And I think that’s something that’s always been really important to us as a band – being open and honest about our experiences and our emotions. We want to create a space where people feel comfortable talking about these things and sharing their own experiences.
SH: Absolutely. I think that’s one of the things that makes our music so powerful – that honesty and vulnerability. It’s what connects us to our fans and creates that sense of community and understanding.
EH: Definitely. I think that’s what music is all about – connecting with people, sharing our stories, and creating that sense of community and understanding. It’s such a powerful tool for healing and connection.
SH: Absolutely. I think that’s why we do what we do – to share our stories, connect with others, and hopefully make a positive impact in the world.
EH: Absolutely. I think that’s what it’s all about – making a positive impact and spreading love and understanding.
SH: Well said, Eva. Well said.
SH: Yeah, I think that’s so true. And I think the pandemic really forced us to slow down and take care of ourselves in a way that we hadn’t before. It gave us the space to really focus on our mental health and well-being, which ultimately made us better as individuals and as a band. And I think that really shines through in the music we created during this time.
EH: Absolutely. I think this album is a reflection of that growth and self-acceptance. It’s a testament to the fact that it’s okay to ask for help and to prioritize your mental health. And I hope that our music can be a source of comfort and validation for others who may be struggling with similar issues. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in your struggles and that it’s okay to seek help and support. It was one of those moments where I was like, “This is where I want to be. This is what I want to do.” It was just so inspiring. And then we got to meet them afterwards, which was just surreal. It was like, “Oh, they’re real people, and they’re so nice.” It was just a really cool full-circle moment.
EH: Yeah, that was definitely a huge moment for us. I think we all left that show feeling like, “Okay, this is what we want. This is the level we want to reach.” It was just such an incredible experience to see them in that setting, and to see how much they’ve accomplished. It was definitely a moment that pushed us to keep going and keep working towards our goals.
SH: Absolutely. It was just one of those nights where everything felt possible, you know? It was just pure magic.
Fue como, “Maldita sea, vamos a escribir canciones que encajen en un entorno como este.”
EV: Cuando los vimos en el MSG, ni siquiera se suponía que yo fuera al show. La esposa de Sam iba a ir con él, pero ella es doula, y la llamaron para un parto, creo.
SH: Sí.
EV: Así que terminé yendo con él, y literalmente no supe que iba hasta una hora antes del show. Fue una noche increíble en este icónico lugar en Nueva York.
SH: Fue como, “Esto es a lo que aspiramos. Esto es todo.” Tengo mucho respeto por ellos porque comenzaron siendo una cosa, y ahora son otra cosa. Siento que la gente no los tomaba en serio al principio, como, “Oh, es una banda emo.” Pero yo los amé desde el principio, y estoy muy feliz de ver que están recibiendo el respeto que se merecen porque son una de las mejores bandas, en mi opinión, de los últimos años. Como banda que siempre ha sentido que no sabe dónde encaja, es realmente inspirador verlos hacer lo que les emociona y ver cómo la gente responde positivamente. Sé que todas las bandas lo experimentan, pero hay personas que han escuchado los sencillos hasta ahora y dicen, “Oh, extraño las guitarras.” Y yo pienso, “En primer lugar, hay guitarras. No sé qué estás escuchando, porque hay guitarras por todas partes en este disco.” [Eva se ríe] Pero no estamos tratando de hacer algo que se sienta inauténtico para nosotros. Estamos haciendo literalmente lo contrario. Estamos haciendo exactamente lo que nos emociona. ¿Esperamos que la gente lo ame y esté a lo largo del camino? Absolutamente. Y si no, nuestros otros discos siempre estarán ahí para ustedes.
Esta entrevista ha sido editada y condensada para mayor claridad y longitud.
Forever de Charly Bliss ya está disponible a través de Lucky Number.
FOREVER de Charly Bliss