Established within the Midlands circuit, Learn to Lie pride themselves on energetic and dynamic live performances and accessible songs that sit between rock and pop. Channelling the energy of female-led alternative outfits such as Paramore and Marmozets and the melodic hard rock of Arcane Roots and Lower Than Atlantis, Learn To Lie provide their own unique sound.
Formed in 2017, Learn to Lie are a 4-piece alt-rock band that combine complex rhythms and grooving riffs with clean, powerful vocals to create a distinctive, genre-blending sound. Autumn 2021 Learn to Lie went through a lineup change, with Courtney Hurcombe taking over as lead vocalist and Matt Checkley taking on Bass Guitar. Learn to Lie currently have 6 singles released alongside their Live Sessions EP ‘Electric Fields’. Their 2020 single ‘Cloud 9’ garnered over 15k organic streams which continue to grow.
The four-piece now return with their powerful new single ‘Lost Boys’. The ethereal new offering is Learn to Lie’s most complex and conceptual single to date, Learn to Lie have pulled out all the stops to create a dreamy and visceral journey through Neverland.
The band shares more on the meaning behind the track: “The concept for the track is based on the character Wendy from the children’s book Peter Pan. The song is based on her point of view during the story, how staying would be an adventure but she’s got to go home.”
The release of ‘Lost Boys’ also arrives alongside a full production music video. The atmospheric visualiser sees the band in a magical forest setting, where symbolic doors surround them foreshadowing a return home.
Congratulations on the release! How has ‘LOST BOYS’ been received so far? Has there been any surprises or promises as a result of the track?
The tracks has been well received with some awesome comparisons to early 2000s alt-rock bands whilst still retaining our unique sound! We were surprised how relatable the track has been to listeners despite having the story book roots to the lyrics.
Neverland and the Peter Pan tale play a huge part in the narrative of the track. How do you think the fantasy rhetoric transpires to everyday life? Is the track purely an escapist piece, or is there an element of relatability to Wendy’s perspective throughout the song?
During the last couple of years we feel everyone felt like they needed a bit of escapism from real life. The longing for things to return to normal was something we could all relate to. As much as the beginning felt like being at home (Neverland) felt like a blessing at the time, the return back to normal routine (home) was all we wanted.
The video is a truly conceptual piece – where was it filmed? How did the location come to be, and why was it important to capture the forest setting?
Lost Boys was filmed locally for us up Cannock Chase, Staffordshire. The forest location was a polite nod to the ‘Lost Boys’ treehouse from the story.
The symbolism of the door is to show the longing of Wendy to go back home but instead it was actually her longing of returning to her reality. The forest was a good way of showing the separation from home. The clock at the end shows that she’s not quite escaped and is suspended between the two worlds. It is also a subtle nod to the crocodile in the story whose main function is time, fate, and the inevitable.
Could you describe the pre-filming creative processes of the track? How was production and instrumentation incorporated within the mystical direction of ‘LOST BOYS’?
Lost Boys was developed from an early 2020 lockdown bearbones demo. When new vocalist, Courtney, joined the band in late 2021 herself and guitarist, Andy, went through all of the demos that himself and drummer Matt created virtually over countless facetimes and logic project file sharing over the boredom of lockdown. Courtney felt there was lots of potential in the bearbones demo of just an acoustic guitar and midi drums, so the band decided to revisit the demo with the new line up. From the demo to the finished product it is night and day between the different versions, ‘Lost Boys’ was the first song Courtney really put her DNA into songwriting and developing song structure with Learn to Lie.
Producer Dan Gallagher add an alarm clock and ticking noise at the end of the songs crescendo to indercate the change from Neverland to Wendy’s true reality. If you listen closely you can also hear a faint scream from Courtney to express Wendy’s inner self trying to escape.
As you’re a Midland’s based curator and so are we, what are your top recommendations for local culture?
One of our favourite gigging venues is the Actress and Bishop in Birmingham. There are acoustic artists when you walk in and live bands upstairs, so there is something for everyone.
The Jam House is another favourite venue. They have a great atmosphere and is always a good time.
Kilder Bar Birmingham is a hidden gem in Digbeth under the arches of the railway. With great beer and vibe, and the ability to order takeout burgers from Original Patty Men next door to eat with your beer, it’s definitely one to visit.
No comments