The Colourflies, an electrifying rock trio from Idaho Falls, have been shaking up the alternative music scene since 2012. Founded by guitarist and composer Matt Legard, the band has evolved from its psychedelic and shoegaze roots into a dynamic force blending grunge and experimental rock. From the raw emotion in their recordings to their meticulously crafted live performances, The Colourflies continue to push boundaries in both their music and their connection with fans. Join us as we explore the essence of their sound, their creative process, and what’s next for this ever-evolving band.
Q: In your opinion, what are the essential qualities that make a “good songwriter”? In my opinion, a good song writer is able to wear all the hats, able to put the pieces togehter, be objective, be mystified, be dumb, be unique, be smart, and be mathematical. Great songwriters somehow have all these qualities. There are people that can just hear songs, and pull them out of thin air, effortless. The best ones always come to me in ten minutes or less, like the'yre already out in the universe somewhere.
Q: What has it been like working with an indie record label as opposed to working on your own? working with an indie is a dream, to have someone support your ideas and say, yes, this is a good idea, we love what you're doing. That goes a long way within the dynamics of a band and how they work and make records. And of course the label getting you out to people who would've probably never heard your stuff, especially in another country, that's amazing.
Q: Can you name any artists you find inspiring? Some specific songwriters who really shaped how I write are bands like Lush, and early Foo Fighters and Dinosaur JR, and later the Beatles and Big Star. John Mayer and Jimi Hendrix were really instrumental in me figuring out how chords work together harmonically and what the voice can do with that. Smashing Pumpkins were a key moment where like the Beatles they had so many different styles, but you could tell it was still them, guitar and the ability to actually really play on a higher level came from listening to those records religiously. Vocally I was heavily influenced by Robin WIllson from the Ginblossoms, Dave Grohl, John Mayer and Jeff Buckley, and Janet Jackson and Broadway musicals. I'm just as influenced by things I don't enjoy.
Q: Do you find it hard to be inspired by artists that are younger than you, or are you motivated by their energy? I love hearing artists who are younger than me, a fresh perspective is always appreciated. You think you know what you're doing and then you hear something so different and exciting and you can't help but be affected. I really enjoy Blushing and Charly Bliss as well as Bugg and this band in our city called Hayes Noble.
Q: For your new album, what inspired the lyrical content, album title, and overall vibe? The lyrics on the new album were inspired by some of the hardest times I've ever been through, as well as the best. written in between times of the band being recognized by our heroes and basically successful, with tens of thousands of new ears on us, Billy C being a fan, and working with Greg Richling and going to Hollywood movie premiers, and trying to be a normal human with all that happening. Losing my kitty who was there basically my whole 20's. I tried to really be honest and write how I was feeling with this whirlwind around me and people's expectations , and a dysfunctional band on a lot of levels. The album title Staresque, comes from people's perception of me as a person and artist. I don't feel that way, but It's sort of wry look at my life. People like to tell me that I'm the least famous, famous person they know. So I guess the title is about just not quite getting there, but being in the graces of that spot, and maybe being adjacent to some sort of fame. It's just a joke. The vibe of the album is the best material we had that fit a particular lane, It's cohesive and it works, and some songs are old and some are new, one being finished the day of the deadline to turn the album into the label. I would say a heavy, and light dreampop is what we were trying to offer, like the first single, Rush. There are songs on this record that were recorded at midnight after a gig, and songs that were tracked in LA. It's all over the place.
Q: Do you find that you deliberate over writing songs and hold on to them for a long time before including them on a record? Or do you prefer to write them, release them, and be done with them? Do you ever re-visit old material to do a re-write or once it’s done it’s done? I would have always preferred to put the songs out and move on, but there were things bigger than me and the band that didn't allow that to happen. Labels and decisions , and then I just got jaded, so I've hung on to the good ones, and have thrown literally hundreds of others away. I don't usually look in the past too much, so I don't go and rewrite something that is already recorded.
Q: Were there any lessons you learned in the writing and recording process for your current release that you will take with you into your next project? A lesson I learned recording the album is, there are times when slow and steady wins the race. Meticulousness can sometimes ruin a song for me. I'll just remember doing something 40 times when I hear it, but there is a place for it. Rush, the new single, we did in four hours, the guitar solo is first take, It has an excitement and an energy that I'm not sure we could've captured otherwise. If I had my choice, I would probably always want more time to work on something, but this album has taught me when to get out of my own way, and let an idea breathe.
https://shorediverecords.bandcamp.com/album/staresque
https://www.instagram.com/thecolourflies/