Lauren Mayberry: “Ask me no questions, I will tell you no lies”
Lauren Mayberry of the Glaswegian synth-pop band Chvrches reflects on the band’s new album, live shows, working with Plus 1 and Girls Rock School, “Deliverance,” and why entertainers should not be role models.
Greetings from Manila! First of all, how has the reaction to your latest album been? You guys must be over the moon by the reception!
It’s been great. [Smiles.] When you’re writing you never really know how anyone else is going to feel about the music – you only really know that the three people in the room feel something so it’s wonderful when you finally get to release the record and start playing it live. Seeing people singing the words to the new songs is such a special feeling.
What does the album’s title really mean, if anything, about the album’s impact and themes? Do they require reflection?
I think a lot of lyricists use their writing as a way to convey what they were feeling at the time. It’s a snap shot of where you were in your life or the world in that moment. I always tend to write from a personal perspective, whether that’s about things happening in my life or how I am reflecting on other things I am seeing, and the title of the album felt like a good opener to those themes. I don’t necessarily believe that love IS dead but the record sounds like somebody trying to figure that out.
Seeing people singing the words to the new songs is such a special feeling”
Please tell your favourite songs and lyrical highlights on Love is Dead – and why?
“Deliverance” is a song I’m really proud of because I was consciously trying to use imagery to further a narrative or a story, rather than trying to use it to obscure what I really mean which is something I definitely used to do. “Forever” is another favourite because it feels like a proper rock band version of CHVRCHES.
Listen to Love Is Dead here.
Who else influenced your career early on? Can you talk about the influence they had in your life?
My parents were always listening to music in the house and I loved people like Cyndi Lauper, Annie Lennox, Whitney Houston and Joni Mitchell. They are all such different performers and I think they taught me a lot about all the different ways you can use your voice to communicate with people.
Do you reflect on the fact that you may be a role model especially to young people?
I don’t know if it’s a great idea to make ANY entertainer a “role model” because so much of what is associated with the entertainment industry is really shallow but we do try to be conscious of the things we say and the decisions we make because you do get a platform when you are in the public eye. We want to be honest and genuine as people, and with our fans. [Smiles.]
The three of us are quite grounding forces to each other. No one else in the world really knows what it feels like to be inside this band…”
What places or activities make you feel the most grounded in who you are today?
I think the three of us are quite grounding forces to each other. No one else in the world really knows what it feels like to be inside this band so we just try to communicate and listen to each other – and tell each other when we’re acting like assholes!
What thrilling, extraordinary (non-everyday) experiences do you value most in life?
I grew up in the countryside and I thought it was SO BORING when I was a teenager but now there is nothing I like more than being by a lake or an ocean or in the woods. It sounds silly but it’s one of the only things in life that I think is really honest, and I have come to enjoy the quiet a lot more in recent years. Maybe because we spend so much time playing loud (and awesome) rock shows! [Smiles.]
What do you hope people take away from your music and from your shows and performances?
If anyone finds anything they can connect with in our music then I am happy. [Smiles.] It’s not for us to prescribe how people feel about it. We take the live shows very seriously because it’s a place for people to come together and connect and escape, and touring has always been such a big part of CHVRCHES. [Smiles.]
Right here, right now – what are you proudest of?
The work we have done with Plus 1 (an organisation that donates $1 from every ticket we sell to charities like Amnesty International) and our partnership with the Girls Rock School in our hometown of Glasgow. Getting to make music is such a joy and a privilege but if you get to do something helpful at the same time, that’s a bonus. [Smiles.]
Got any message to your Filipino fans?
We want to say a huge THANK YOU to all our fans in the Philippines for supporting CHVRCHES and listening to our music. We always have so much fun when we play for you and can’t wait to see you all again.
We take the live shows very seriously because it’s a place for people to come together, to connect and escape”
Catch Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook and Martin Dohertyo as they perform live in Jakarta for the first time on July 25 at the Plenary Hall – Jakarta Convention Center. Expect to hear hits such as “The Mother We Share,” “Leave A Trace,” “Warning Call” and “Bury It” as well as “Never Ending Circles” and new songs from their latest album Love Is Dead.
