Setting Fires With Her Eyes: An Interview With Liv From We Might Die

If there is any artist that has blown us away - music, lyrics, attitude, and just plain bad-assery - it has to be Liv from We Might Die.

As the bassist and vocalist for the Las Vegas band, Liv is a ferocious presence. Her youth doesn't hinder her musical prowess; she delivers a mature and powerful point of view in her performances. Her heartfelt and angry lyrics, along with her spunky and angsty musical contributions, are a key part of We Might Die's overall approach to self-expression. She grew up immersed in a world of art and music, and her natural talent shines through, making her an essential part of the band's dynamic.

As far as we’re concerned, we might die, but Liv will still be awesome.

We caught up with her to discuss life, music, and the power to set people’s shoes on fire with her eyes.

If you had to describe We Might Die's sound in three emojis, what would they be?

Liv (bass, vocals):💥😾🫨

What's the most punk thing you've ever done that wasn't at a show?

Liv: I’m a big believer in malicious compliance and my health teacher is very much aware of that. He once asked me to write a 3 page essay on why bringing my assigned packet was important everyday. (Note: I never got the packet because we were on tour). I definitely still wrote the essay. 

Direct quote from my essay: “The packet is the best thing to ever happen to me, and I love it. I hope never to be separated from it again. I am having such a hard time right now because I’m seeing everyone else's packets, and it reminds me of how much I miss my own packet. I am close to tears.” 

We also have signal blocking pouches we are required to put our phones in. My health teacher makes a big deal about this but all he said is that our phones have to be in the holder on the wall in a pouch. I put my phone in the pouch but he doesn’t ever say anything about closing it. It blocks no signal. My phone is technically in the pouch but it’s not doing its job. 

If you were offered to write a jingle for a product, which one would it be and why?

Liv: This isn’t a product but there’s a strip club here called Little Darlings and their marketing is hilarious. They have billboards that say “lap dances cheaper than the price of eggs.” I really look up to whoever their marketing director is. I would like to write a jingle for them. I’m their biggest fan.

Also, gas station boner pills.

If someone were to make a biographical film of the band, what would be the title and who would you like to play you?

Liv: I think the title would be “We Might Die: The Awesome Movie” and I would want Shaq, Jeff Goldblum, or Jack Black to play me. I feel like they could properly represent me. Especially Shaq because I, too, am 7’1 and a pro basketball player. 

What's a song you secretly love but would be completely embarrassed for anyone to find on your playlist?

Liv: Animal or Vampire by DECO*27. I have no idea what they’re saying but these songs have a chokehold on me. 

What's a non-punk song you'd love to cover and just rip the shit out of?

Liv: I would like to cover a Ke$ha song. I think all her songs are so fun and honestly really good, but who doesn’t love Ke$ha. As a band we listen to her quite often, especially when we’re on tour.

If your bass could talk, what would be the first thing it would complain about?

Liv: I think it would complain about how hard I play it and how much I hit it. When we play live, my goal is to try and break my strings. Most of the time I play hard enough that my fingers bleed by the end of it because while I’m playing I strum so hard and out of control that I hit my fingers on the strings. I think it would definitely ask me to be nicer to it. 

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Liv: The power to stop time. Imagine how long I could sleep. Or I’d like to set fires with my eyes. If I focused in on one spot I’d like to make a small fire appear there. If someone was annoying me I could set their shoes on fire. 

If you had to give your parents/band members punk nicknames, what would they be?

Liv: We’ve actually already done this as a band. It started as a joke but now we all have nicknames. Travis is T-Money or Twisted T, Chance is Snake Eyes Shirley or just Snake Eyes, and I’m One Take.

If We Might Die had a band mascot, what would it be and what would its name be?

Liv: It would be a shark named Bwrb (buh-werb). When we were still part of Black Heart Emoji I had bought one of those shark hand puppet things and named it Bwrb. I’m not sure where the name came from but Chance would have it on his kit. Bwrb has lived on well into We Might Die even if he’s not on the drum set anymore. 

What's the one thing you can't live without, before, during or after a show?

Liv: Before and after we play I can’t live without something to fidget with. I always need to keep my hands busy even if I’m talking to people or just watching the rest of the show. During a show I can’t live without extra picks onstage. I rarely end up dropping my picks but it’s reassuring I have some if needed. I also feel like the obvious teenager answer is my phone.

What’s a word or phrase that you use all the time that isn't in the dictionary but totally should be?

Liv: “Whoopsies.” It’s such a whimsy word. It sounds so silly. Additionally, I think we should all use the phrase “thinking caps” more. My favorite thing to tell people right now is “put your thinking cap on” or “it’s okay we don’t all wear our thinking caps sometimes” whenever someone says something stupid. Also “listening ears.” Overall I think we should gentle parent our friends more. “Oh no, friend. That’s an inside thought. Catch a bubble and turn your listening ears on.” 

If your band mates were animals, which would each of them be?

Liv: I would be a cat. I love cats and I think I have the attitude to match one. I think I could also be a brushtail possum. They look funny and make loud sounds. It looks shell shocked. I think I could fit the shell shocked look. Travis would be a quokka. He’s very quokka coded. Travis just gets along with everyone and is easy to talk to. Chance would be a chameleon. I think the unsure look chameleons always have fits him. They always look so unsure and judgmental of everything. And they move so cautiously. 

What's a song that can always make you cry?

Liv: Flowers and You by Touché Amore.

What’s a question you get asked all the time, either as a musician or just in everyday life?

Liv: “What’s it like being in a band with your dad?”

OH MY GOD I’M GOING TO CHARGE THE NEXT PERSON WHO ASKS ME THAT. Almost everyone asks me that question and I’m sick of it. 

What’s It like being in a band with your Dad?

Editor’s note: the answer to this is not printable in a family publication such as ours.

If you had a warning label, what would it say?

Liv: “AWESOME ALERT” or “Warning: won’t stop talking once spoken to.”

What's your favorite piece of useless trivia?

Liv: Did you know I have an identical twin? His name’s Shaquille O’Neal. 

If you get sucked into a black hole you go through a process called spaghettification. You basically get put through a pasta roller. 

What is one thing about yourself that you would never admit publicly?

Liv: I see what you’re trying to do. You’re not slick. (editor’s note: hahaha) 

If you had to spend an entire day with one cartoon character, who would it be?

Liv: I would spend a day with Fluffle Puff from My Little Pony. #1 Fluffle Puff stan. 

If We Might Die was a brand of cereal, what would the prize be?

Liv: Stress ball. Or those grow capsule thingies. 

What is the strangest dream you've ever had?

Liv: Sometimes when I get really stressed I have silly delusions at night and think something is actually happening in my room. One time I thought fairies were throwing rocks at me and trying to suffocate me. 😟. I eventually ran out of my room sobbing and locked myself in my bathroom. Eventually I psyched myself up enough to go back and face the fairies. It was terrifying. 0/10 do not recommend. Fairies are brutal. 

What's the most creative excuse you've used to get out of doing something you didn't want to do?

Liv: I don’t ever make excuses for not doing something I don’t want to do. Unfortunately i’m too honest and if I don’t want to do something I just say it. This doesn’t work as well at school but I still make it known. The coolest excuse for missing school or something I have all the time is going out of town for a show.

What is the least "punk thing" you do on a regular basis?

Liv: Well this isn’t on a regular basis but when I updated my iPhone to iOS24 I cried and wouldn’t stop gagging because I hated the new design so much. The camera app icon is so fucking ugly. Also I did musical theatre for 2 years. 

If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be?

Liv: Are serial killers historical figures? I’d want to interview someone like Jeffrey Dahmer. I have a lot of questions.

What’s a band or song you listen to that might surprise people?

Liv: Laufey. LAUFEY IS MY RIDE OR DIE. 

If you had to wear a costume for every show for the rest of your career, what would it be?

Liv: A green screen morph suit.

What’s a question you wish someone would ask you?

Liv: “Can I see your Ghost slideshow?”

For context, Ghost is my hyperfixation and whenever I get obsessed with something I make informational slideshows about it. I’ve made several on different topics. They range from 25 to 50 slides including works cited slides because I’m still a proper English student. 

Links:

Official website: https://wemightdiemusic.com

Bandcamp: https://wemightdie.bandcamp.com/album/hate-you

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeMightDie-TheBand

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wemightdie.theband