They say the way you spend New Year’s Eve is how you’ll spend the new year, and if that’s the case, then 2023 will certainly continue to be the year of Liily! This incredible alt-rock outfit kicked their year off by doing what most bands dream of, performing on Miley Cyrus’ iconic New Year’s Eve Party special with an excited audience watching from coast to coast. They quickly became one of the fan-favorite performances of the night, with even Wheatus joining the conversation, and that was only the beginning of this group’s promising year so far.
“I don’t know what else to say other than it was surreal,” bassist Charlie Anastasis tells TREMG. “Like the craziest thing we have ever done by far. A lot of practicing, a lot of self doubt. I thought the whole thing might blow up in our face but I think it turned out pretty well. “
During their New Year’s performance, Liily performed a cover of Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage,” as well an energetic rendition of their own latest single, “Applause.” Equally gritty and polished, this arena-ready rock banger has already racked up 800k Spotify streams and perfectly showcases the anthemic energy the band brings to everything they release. It feels rooted in classic rock and more recent garage offerings, while also triumphantly stepping forward into new territory for the group and for rock as a whole.
“If I’m being completely honest, l have been absolutely surprised at how the song has been doing,” Charlie admits. “Of course we love the song, and it’s a little cliche, but I really don’t think any of us thought it would be doing this well.”
“Applause” is the first new music fans have heard from Liily since their 2021 debut album, TV or Not TV, and while it maintains the same heart and passion as their previous work, it feels more polished and confident as the band have truly stepped into their own. They’ve managed to spin their signature style and attitude into something fresh for existing fans while offering something that will reel new listeners right in, striking that perfect balance of familiarity and innovation that all the most revered artists have reached.
“We all had certain expectations during the time we were making the [TV or Not TV] record and when it came out,” Charlie shares. “Some of them were met and some were not. That caused, at least for me, a gigantic feeling of self doubt and confusion. I had so many different opinions surrounding me, I didn’t know what I was doing. But I just started trusting my bandmates more than I ever have in my life and the result is that this band is in the best place that it has ever been in. And the new shit is fucking wild. I love TV or Not TV more than anything but the difference now is I truly have no expectations other than making something I’m proud of with my friends.”
We know Liily will continue to make us and themselves proud! You can find “Applause” on all your favorite streaming services now, and get to know the group on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and their website. Keep reading for more from our conversation with the amazing Charlie Anastasis!
Congratulations on your latest single, “Applause,” which has already racked up nearly 700,000 Spotify streams! What has it been like for you to share the song with the world and see how fans are reacting?
If I’m being completely honest, l have been absolutely surprised at how the song has been doing. Of course we love the song, and it’s a little cliche, but I really don’t think any of us thought it would be doing this well.
What does the song “Applause” mean to you?
It means a lot to me to make a song that I enjoy with my friends and release it, that’s about it honestly.
Is there a certain lyric on “Applause” that you’re particularly proud of?
A specific lyric, not really. I’m more proud of Dylan in general, I feel like he has been finding a confidence in himself lately and it is lovely to be around.
You kicked off this year with a performance of “Applause” and “Sabotage” on Miley Cyrus’ New Year’s Eve special, which is incredible! What was it like to be featured on the show, and how did you prepare for your performance?
I don’t know what else to say other than it was surreal. Like the craziest thing we have ever done by far. A lot of practicing, a lot of self doubt. I thought the whole thing might blow up in our face but I think it turned out pretty well.
You’re also currently on tour with FIDLAR, venturing along the West Coast! What has it been like for you to be back on the road, and which songs have been your favorite to play live this tour?
It’s been great, FIDLAR was the first show I ever went to at Amoeba when I was fourteen. So to be on tour with them and for them to be some of the nicest people I’ve ever met has been a little unbelievable. We have been playing a few new songs that aren’t out yet which I am pretty excited about.
You told NME that one of your main goals as a group is to create a safe space for fans, which is something that’s so important, especially in the digital age. What are some of your favorite memories you’ve made with your fans so far?
It’s really the only thing we care about. Being a kid going to shows and feeling comfortable is one of the pillars of who I am as a person now and to try and be on the transmitting end of that is invaluable to me. We want people to feel like they are part of a community, that’s all that matters. I really just enjoy all of the people we have become friends with through this band.
How do you feel you’ve grown as a band since your debut album, 2021’s TV Or Not TV?
The growing pains from the period of time in between the record being finished and now have been intense. I think in a general sense, we all had certain expectations during the time we were making the record and when it came out. Some of them were met and some were not. That caused, at least for me, a gigantic feeling of self doubt and confusion. I had so many different opinions surrounding me, I didn’t know what I was doing. But I just started trusting my bandmates more than I ever have in my life and the result is that this band is in the best place that it has ever been in. And the new shit is fucking wild. I love TV or Not TV more than anything but the difference now is I truly have no expectations other than making something I’m proud of with my friends.
For anyone who isn’t familiar with your music already, which of your songs would you recommend to them to get a feel for who you are as an artist?
“The Suit That Sold Itself,” “Wash,” “Applause.”
We at TREMG love getting to know new artists who haven’t gotten the success or attention they deserve. Who are some of your favorite underrated artists at the moment?
Catcher deserves some love, so does Ultra Q, so does Model/actriz, so does Reckling.
What can your fans look forward to in the rest of 2023?
Hopefully LOTS of new music.
Featured Image: Vijat Mohindra/NBC, Courtesy of Tell All Your Friends PR
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