What is your name?
Fare – Ryan Lafferty and Charlie Maynard
What is your genre of music?
We have been saying “indie electro pop” but that is just another way of saying “pop” at this point
Give us a little bio about you.
Charlie and I met through an ad on Craiglist. Our previous band needed a new singer and I responded to the ad, showing up to the audition wearing the skinniest jeans I had, a button up, and a suit vest, with Chelsea boots. The guy that showed up before me was wearing sweats so I knew I had it. We played music for a couple years together in another band and then eventually moved on to form Fare, which we’ve been totally focused on since…without any suit vests.
What made you go into music?
We truly love it, there is no other way to say it. (Ryan) I was always told that music wasn’t a career that I could pursue, so I taught myself instruments, and then I was told I couldn’t study that at university, but I don’t know, I don’t think that is a reason to stop pursuing your passion in life. Working with one of my best friends on a daily basis writing music makes me feel like I did the right thing, even if I didn’t study it in college. I guess the point is, life is really damn short and you only live once, so no matter what, try to do what you love. That is what the “Fare” piece is about really…it’s the tole that we pay to do what we love.
Are you a signed?
Yes we are, to HERØ Records, with distribution through Sony RED/Orchard
You released new single ‘You Are’, tell us more about the single.
This is by far our favourite song that we’ve recorded. We’ve had a lot of songs that just haven’t panned out, but this one, we knew immediately. After the case of Coors Light we drank, we knew we loved it.
What is the meaning behind the single?
The song is about trying to find confidence where you may not see any. So often I think that people look outward when trying to find their value in the world and forget that what really makes them is on the inside. It’s really a song about trying to show someone that they naturally own a room when they walk in, but don’t have the confidence in themselves to realize it, so just saying that you want that person for who they are, inside and out, no matter what
Describe the track in two words.
Hip moving (we hope)
What was the writing process like?
we had a beat that we loved when I was visiting LA one weekend and it really came together so fast. We wrote the whole thing in a couple hours. Once we had the vocal, Charlie tightened up the beat perfectly and I recorded the vocals.
What was the recording process like?
Very easy, just recorded the vocals back in NYC and Charlie mixed the rest
Who did you work with on the single?
(can get you our engineer’s name later, sorry need to look it up)
Will we see any music video for the track?
We would love that, maybe a live version. Definitely a lyric video, but we’d love to do a full music video.
Will we see an EP or Album and if so what can we expect from it?
This single is part of a 2 song EP with our last track “You Don’t Get Me” but we would love go put out another 3 song EP early in 2020.
Do you have any shows coming up?
We do! We are doing our release show on 9/20 in NYC, just a release party, and then playing a show supporting Rob Garza from Thievery Corporation who we did song with. We’ll just be performing that track with him, but will be performing some unreleased stuff at our release party in New York.
If so where will you be heading?
Our release party is in New York on September 20th (9/20) and the show with Rob is the next week on September 27th (9/27) in San Francisco. Venues are TBA
What else can we expect in 2019?
More music and more shows! We are working on both now. Maybe some great baking recipes? We bake in our down time. Or some cool merch? Maybe a long-sleeve shirt with our baby pictures on it? It’d be our first merch, and as you can tell, our ideas aren’t any good, so we’re taking applications!
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any upcoming artists? Working on them now, but can’t say just yet (insert winky smiley face)
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Of course, always. (off the record) Contact me (Ryan). We are looking for a new manager, so as of now, I am the one taking on those responsibilities.
Do you play any instruments?
Charlie is a master, master drummer…best anyone has ever seen. Ryan plays guitar, bass, a little piano, and whatever drums Charlie says are okay.
Who are your influences?
We have a wide variety of them, from Flume and Nick Murphy, to Billy Joel and Hall and Oates. We’ve just listened to as much music as possible since we were kids and let the music we write come out naturally.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
(Ryan) I listened to an interview with Billy Joel, when he said that there is always a song running through his head, a melody, vocals, bass, everything, and it’s just about getting it out. I always thought that I was going nuts, but I identified with that quote so much. There is no topic or one inspiration outwardly, it’s all sonically internal, and a daily blessing/curse to try to get it out properly.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Hopefully writing or producing more music, whether for us, or for others, touring, and being able to do it as a full time career. I think the biggest thing we want to portray is that you can always pursue your dreams, even if you have a full time job. Don’t let them escape
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Watching Diners Drive Ins and Dives, cooking, work, Ryan forcefully making Charlie watch sports, making fun of each other constantly, Ryan golfs, Charlie is a graphic designer, we do lots really!
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more into the music scene?
I think that’s tough to say. There is no one song. It’s been more about the different parts of our life that influenced us, and the music we listened to then. We both loved Foo Fighters when we were kids (and still do! be friends with us Dave Grohl!), Arcade Fire, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, etc., but there were a ton of artists that we loved when we were kids that influenced us to become who we are now.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Give up. I had someone tell me, about 3 years ago actually, that I should give up and that it was stupid for us to pursue music. He was actually a mentor and professor of mine from college and just decided to yell at me over the phone, telling me that music is stupid and that we would never be anything. He told me to call him once I was signed to a record label. I haven’t called him. His advice rocked us, and made us want it even more, making us work really hard. I don’t think it’s okay to ever tell anyone to quit their dreams. Put it out in the universe and make it happen, don’t listen to anyone who says otherwise.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Write a lot. Just keep writing and make as much music as possible because not every track you write is going to be good, but you’ll find the ones you love. Don’t be afraid to ditch an idea that isn’t coming together.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
The golden rule. Treat others as you’d like to be treated. We were both a bit bullied as little kids, and had the opportunity to stand up for others as we got into high school, and both did. Bullies are assholes.
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
Amatos, a cheesesteak spot in Saratoga/San Jose. Or, SAP Center to see a Sharks game. Also, both of our moms’ houses.
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? – A pub for an irish whiskey, then couch, then bed
2/ Who do you see first? – girlfriends for sure…also, Guy Fieri
3/What do you eat first? – cheesesteaks or italian subs
Do you have social media accounts for fans to follow you?
Yes!
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
