A Chaotic Chat With The Colourflies

Warning: do not read the following if you are driving, operating heavy machinery, have bladder issues, or are pregnant.

The Colourflies are an alternative rock band hailing from the Pacific Northwest, known for their unique blend of psychedelic and shoegaze influences. Their sound is characterized by an ethereal mix of obscured vocals, heavy guitar distortion and effects, and overwhelming volume, which aligns with the shoegaze subgenre. The band, fronted by singer/guitarist Matt Legard, also incorporates thoughtful lyrics and guitar riffs that have been compared to the grunge movement of the 1990s. With deep-rooted influences from 80s and 90s indie labels like SST, Twin Tone, and Sub-Pop, The Colourflies have forged a sound that is both experimental and melodic.

The band has been active for several years, releasing multiple albums and EPs. The Colourflies are on Shore Dive Records and have gained a following through live performances, music videos, and their presence on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. The band's dedication to their craft is evident in their prolific output and their commitment to creating a unique and immersive musical experience.

What was the inspiration behind your latest album?

Matt: The album, Honeydripper, is us getting closer and closer to representing the band we actually are. A lot of it was recorded after the European tour, in which I had quite a bit of time on planes and trains to think about what I wanted the next album to be, and knowing that we had the support of our new label, it gave me the confidence to come home and make the record sound the way it does.

Tom: I would describe it as dynamic alternative rock. We’re blending a lot of influences. And covering a lot of ground sonically. Mostly a mix of sonic the hedgehog and the worst of weezer

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music?

Matt: Neve Campbell singing angelically in a wind turbine, while other members of the craft watch and knit.

What's the story behind your band name?

Matt: It sounded very pretentious and kind of like the Beatles, and my grandma is British.

Who are your biggest musical influences, both as a band and individually, and why?

Matt: Cats the Musical, Bad TV, bad music, Spinal Tap. Vacuum Cleaner Cords.

Tom: As a band it’s probably Dinosaur Jr. and Smashing Pumpkins. I know Matt likes a lot of stuff like Winger.

What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?

Matt: Probably playing in Paris on my birthday to a full enthusiastic warm room and drinking Guinness every night in London and walking with fans to get fish and chips at 2 am or working with Greg Richling from the Wallflowers on our next record.

Tom: I got bit by a bunch of fire ants in the middle of nowhere and played to a bunch of bikers who were shouting that they should kill anyone who voted for Biden. Stands out a lot for some reason.

What bands would you consider influences?

Matt: Mandy Moore, Britney Spears, Peter Gabriel, Celine Dion, Belly, The Carpenters

Tom: Definitely anything on the Now: That’s What I Call Music 500. Just can’t get enough.

What role does social media and online presence play in connecting with your fans?

Matt: For not the internet, there would be no proverbial I.

Tom: The worst role of all. Posting photos for the validation of strangers and the endless need for likes

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a band, and how did you overcome them?

Matt: I learned a long, long time ago to not surrender, cause you can win in this thing called love, and that when you want it the most, there’s no easy way out, and when you’re ready to go, but your hearts left In doubt, to not give up on your faith, because love comes to those who believe it, and that’s the way it is.

Tom: Just existing on a day to day basis. The odds have been insurmountable. Every time we order a burrito and they offer us hot sauce, we have to bow our heads in shame because that would be too spicy. We do appreciate the mayonnaise they put in it for us though to cool down the heat from the cheese.

What's your favorite song to perform live and why?

Matt: Day of the Dot. I enjoy singing about the subject matter of inhabiting a dot and getting to the pure places of a holy dotness.

Tom: Freebird. I mean it’s always such a hit. Everyone’s always shouting it at us and they just love it when we play it. Every time they ask. Multiple times a night. Sometimes it’s the only song we play.

How has your musical style evolved since you first started?

Matt: We used to bang on trash cans, now we bang on AC units. We were primordial ooze, and now we’ve cellularly found the code to be protozoan sloth.

Tom: The gears gotten more expensive and therefore we are better. Also the rock opera we’re currently working on: “Tales from Nowhere, the story of sitting in the van” is really pushing us to our limits

What's the most exciting thing happening for the band right now?

Matt: Honestly, this interview. And people stopped throwing tomatoes at us. I would say international appeal, ambition being fulfilled. respect. Walk. What did you say? walk on home boy.

Tom: It’s hard to say with all of the extreme acclaim that’s been coming in. One guy from Germany gave us a really glowing review. You can ask Matt about it any time

Is there a particular message or theme you hope listeners take away from your music?

Matt: To err is human, to Edgar is to be a character from the hit 1997 movie, Men in Black.

Tom: I think the message should be that every song needs to have more guitar solos than anything else. Verses? Unimportant. Choruses? Boring. But guitar solos. That’s where it’s at.

How did the band originally form? What's the "origin story”

Matt: a long long time ago, in a galaxy far away….. Naboo was under an attack And I thought me and Qui-Gon Jinn Could talk the federation in To maybe cutting them a little slack but their response, it didn't thrill us They locked the doors and tried to kill us We escaped from that gas Then met Jar-Jar and Boss Nass We took a bongo from the scene And we went to Theed to see the Queen We all wound up on Tatooine That's where we found this band. The band formed as a means to prolong adolescence for the rest of my life.

What are your immediate goals for the band?

Matt: The same thing we do every night Pinky….

Tom: Well, I’d really like AI to write the next couple records. I think we’ve done enough. Humans have had their time. And the robots need more space to shine.

What is your favorite venue to play?

Matt: Le Pub in Paris.

Tom: I love playing the Big Dipper. The sound system rocks and the sound guy rarely yells at me to turn down my amp. Plus he does yell at Matt, and that makes me happy.

Describe your fans in one sentence.

Matt: Hornswagglers.

Tom: uhhhhhhhhhhhhh

What's one quirky or funny thing about your band that people not might not know?

Matt: We are Sooooo Random sometimes. ROTFL

Tom: I call everyone Patrick Swayzy way more than they realize. Almost every chorus.

What's a hidden talent or a non-musical hobby that you have?

Matt: I can tie a cherry stem with my tongue, also fold it in half. I can move one eye independently.

Tom: Unfortunately I have very little talents so I have to brag about them constantly and also monetize them so that I can afford to survive this crazy world.

What's a song you wish you had written?

Matt: I know what boys like- the waitresses . Wilma’s Rainbow- Helmet, One Fine Wire- Colbie Calait. He War - Cat Power. Lover You Should’ve come over- Jeff Buckley. Bad Bad Leroy Brown- Jim Croce. 2 become one- Spice Girls

Tom : What’s that Mariah Carey Christmas song? That. I’d write that. Royalties every year.

We’re speechless.

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Check them out on all major streaming services!