LIGION – Interview with Lig & June

You came from Cleveland, and grew up as a band in Nashville. Can you tell us how did it all happen?

Well…the band formed in 2002, and we cut our teeth on the cleveland club circuit. After a year of regional touring, we had made some contacts in the nashville area with management, booking, and some sudden radio support. Thus we moved to nashville to capitalize, and learn how to ride bulls.

What were your expectations when you started composing and making music?

Chicks, beer, and fame. Now the truth is…2 outta 3 ain’t bad, ya know? Really, we just wanted to exceed our own expectations of what we accomplished in previous bands and projects. Really honing in on songwriting and live performances.

What bands have influenced the sound you guys make?

It’s a pretty long and extravigant list ranging from: the police and tom petty and the heartbreakers to bands like tool and nine inch nails to the cure to the diamond (neil that is…who else?)

You had the chance to work with the veteran rock producer Greg Ladanyi… How was it? Were you all happy with the results of the album?

Greg brought things out of us that we never knew where there. He is a true master in the studio. He completely submersed himself into our world and our music, and the results absolutely exceeded our expectations (see question 1)

What’s the story behind the album title “External Affairs”?

Well during the writing and recording of the album, we all were going through our own personal issues as well as band related things. It was a pretty dark time. All of these things were internal affairs that we were dealing with as a band. The record was our way of externalizing them, and thus we have external affairs

You’ve been touring for a while in the U.S.A. Have you being well received, or do you feel people still see you as newbies?

Yes, we’ve been very well received, and because every show and every city is different…we will always be newbies. That and johannes wears a dress on stage…so that keeps people coming back.

You also had the chance to share stage with bands such Velvet Revolver and Nickelback. Did you felt praised, or much more pressured?

Of course we were thrilled to play with bands of that callibur. Yet, we treat every show like it was the last one, no matter who we play with, or in front of.

Are you thinking already in a new album, or still living this good moment?

Always thinking about new material…and boobs…we just thought of 2….and wrote a song about ‘em…sure to be on the next record.

You seemed to be conquering America. Would you like to expand your music a bit more, such to Europe and Asia, where Rock n’ Roll is so much appreciated?

Absolutely. We would love to take our music everywhere…everywhere. Working on it.

How do you feel when people compare your sound with Chemical Romance and The Killers, for example?

Don’t know…why not ask them how it feels to be compared to ligion? Any time we’re compared to great bands like that, we’re flattered. (and a little pissed.)

Would you like to leave some final words to our readers?

Like jerry springer would do? You bet i do…ya know in the world today, we live in fast food nation, where everything has to be at your fingertips. Peoples attention spand lasts for an average of three seconds. The days of having a nice glass of cabernet over oysters rockefeller and a nice linguini alla marinara… Accompanied by an intelligent conversation, are all but gone. Leading us into the state of affairs in the music industry, where an album represents that same conversation over a nice glass of cabernet over oysters rockefeller and a nice linguini alla marinara. In summary, we are in a very different time, and are learning how to deliver music to the fingertips of this new generation. Ultimately… please buy our whole album, then we’ll take you to the olive garden, and we’ll talk about it.

Thanks a lot!