SH: Yeah, for sure. I think those experiences are so formative. They shape who you are and how you approach relationships and life in general. And I think that level of intensity and emotion is what makes those times so memorable. It’s like everything is heightened, and it’s all so new and exciting and scary at the same time. Engaging with these stories definitely helps us tap into that feeling and channel it into our music.
EH: Absolutely. And I think that’s what makes writing songs like ‘Nineteen’ so cathartic. It’s a way to process those intense emotions and experiences and come out on the other side feeling stronger and more understanding of yourself.
SH: And I think that’s what makes our music resonate with people. We’re not afraid to be vulnerable and raw in our lyrics, and I think that authenticity is what connects with listeners on a deeper level.
Friendship
EH: Another big inspiration for Forever is friendship. We’ve been through so much together as a band, and that bond is reflected in our music. Songs like ‘In Your Bed’ and ‘Waiting for You’ are all about the importance of friendship and the support we give each other through thick and thin.
SH: Yeah, absolutely. Our friendship is the foundation of everything we do as a band. We’ve been through so many ups and downs together, and that shared history is what makes our music so special. We know we can always count on each other, no matter what.
EH: And that sense of camaraderie really comes through in our music. It’s like we’re all in this together, navigating the highs and lows of life and love as a team. That connection is what makes our music so powerful and resonant with our fans.
HAIM
EH: We’re huge fans of HAIM, and they were a big influence on Forever. We love their blend of catchy pop melodies and rock edge, and we wanted to capture that same energy in our music. Songs like ‘Easy to Love’ and ‘Here Comes the Darkness’ were directly inspired by their sound and style.
SH: Yeah, HAIM is definitely a big inspiration for us. We admire their songwriting and musicianship, and we wanted to incorporate some of that vibe into our own music. They’re just so talented and innovative, and we’re constantly inspired by their work.
EH: And getting to see them live was such a game-changer for us. Their energy and stage presence are incredible, and it really motivated us to step up our game as performers. They’re just so good at what they do, and we strive to reach that level of excellence in our own music.
Fatherhood
SH: Becoming a dad has been a huge influence on my songwriting and perspective on life. It’s given me a whole new set of emotions and experiences to draw from, and it’s really shaped the way I approach music. Songs like ‘Nineteen’ and ‘How do you do it?’ were directly inspired by my journey as a father and the challenges and joys that come with it.
EH: Yeah, watching Sam become a dad has been so inspiring. It’s brought a new depth and maturity to his songwriting, and it’s really elevated our music to a whole new level. His perspective as a parent adds a unique richness and complexity to our songs, and I think it’s something that sets us apart as a band.
SH: And having Eva as a sister and bandmate has been such a gift. She’s been there for me every step of the way, supporting me and inspiring me to be the best dad and musician I can be. Our bond as siblings and bandmates is something I cherish deeply, and it’s a driving force behind our music and our success.
Overall, Forever is a reflection of who we are as individuals and as a band. It’s a testament to our friendship, our influences, and our journey as musicians and human beings. We poured our hearts and souls into this album, and we hope that listeners will connect with it on a deep and emotional level. It’s a labor of love, and we’re so proud of what we’ve created together. Thank you for listening and supporting us on this incredible journey.
Friendship became such a huge theme for me during that time. I was missing my bandmates so much, but also realizing the importance of friendships outside of the band. It was a really transformative time for me, and I think that really comes through in the album. And now, looking back, I can see how important those relationships are to me, both romantically and platonically. It’s all part of the human experience, and I’m grateful for all of it.”
It’s been a really wonderful tool for me in my mental health journey. I think it’s so important to be open about medication and therapy, because there’s such a stigma around it. I’ve been on Lexapro for a couple of years now, and it has really helped me manage my anxiety and depression. I think it’s important to destigmatize these conversations because mental health is just as important as physical health. So, I’m really grateful for the positive impact Lexapro has had on my life.
SH: I think it’s really important to talk about these things openly. I’m not on medication myself, but just talking about it and normalizing the conversation can make such a difference for those who are struggling. It’s great to hear how much Lexapro has helped you, Eva.
EH: Thank you, Sam. I think it’s important for everyone to find what works best for them in terms of mental health support, whether it’s medication, therapy, or other forms of self-care. It’s all about finding what helps you feel your best and being open to exploring different options.
SH: Absolutely. Taking care of our mental health is so crucial, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. It’s all about finding what works for you as an individual.
EH: Definitely. And having a supportive network of friends and family, like you and our bandmates, is also so important in maintaining good mental health. I feel really lucky to have such a strong support system in my life.
SH: I feel the same way. Our bond as siblings and bandmates is truly special, and I’m grateful for all the love and support we have for each other.
EH: Me too, Sam. I love you.
SH: Love you too, Eva.
SH: Yeah, and I think in the past, we were so focused on external validation and people pleasing. But now, it’s like, if we’re not taking care of ourselves, we can’t show up for each other, we can’t show up for our music. It’s been a huge shift in perspective for us.
EH: Absolutely. And I think that’s something that we want to continue moving forward with – prioritizing our mental health, our well-being, and our happiness. Because at the end of the day, that’s what matters most. And I’m just grateful that we’ve all been able to come to this realization together and support each other through it.
SH: Definitely. It’s been a journey, but I think we’re in a really good place now. And I’m excited to see where we go from here, both musically and personally.
EH: Me too. I think the future is bright for us, and I can’t wait to see what we create next – both in terms of our music and our growth as individuals. It’s a really exciting time for us, and I’m just grateful to be on this journey with all of you.
SH: Likewise. I think we have a lot of amazing things ahead of us, and I’m excited to see it all unfold. Thank you for being such an incredible bandmate and friend, Eva.
EH: Thank you, Spencer. And thank you to all of our fans for supporting us and being on this journey with us. We couldn’t do it without you. Here’s to a bright and happy future for all of us. I remember sitting there thinking, “I want this for us.” That was definitely a moment of, “We can do this too. We can have all this.” It was so inspiring to see a band doing it at the level we want to get to. It was just like, “Let’s go!”
EH: Yeah, seeing Paramore at Madison Square Garden was a huge moment for us. It was like, “This is what we’re striving for.” It was so motivating and inspiring to see them up there, killing it. It made us want to work even harder to get to that level.
SH: And I think we can get there. I know we can.
EH: Absolutely. We’re on our way.
EV: Definitely. It’s just a matter of time.
Fue como “Maldita sea, vamos a escribir canciones que encajen en un escenario 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 quizás una hora antes del show. Fue una noche increíble en este lugar icónico en Nueva York.
SH: Fue como “Esto es a lo que aspiramos. Esto es todo”. Tengo tanto respeto por ellos porque empezaron 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 amaba desde el principio, y estoy muy feliz de ver que están recibiendo el respeto que merecen porque son una de las mejores bandas, en mi opinión, de los últimos años. Como una banda que siempre ha sentido que no sabe dónde encaja, es realmente inspirador verlos hacer lo que les emociona y ver a la gente responder positivamente a ello. 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 estoy como “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 bordo del viaje? Absolutamente. Y si no, nuestros otros discos siempre estarán ahí para ti.
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