Water Liars play Beerland on Saturday, May 10. This hard-working Mississippi band is touring behind their third album in three years. They effortlessly mix airy folk-country with gritty blues-rock. They recently appeared on a tribute to Jason Molina and the band carries that same torch Magnolia Electric Company left behind. Below you can check out the video for “I Want Blood,” directed by Ashley Connor and Zia Anger, from Water Liars’ recently released self-titled album on Fat Possum Records/Big Legal Mess. Get your tickets for the show here. After the embed, read a Q&A we conducted with the band.
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Pop Press INTL: Why did you decide to self-title your third album?
WL: We self-titled it mostly because we felt like it was the most fully-realized expression so far of all the various sounds and styles we’d been trying to hone in on.
PPI: This album has a similar feel to Wyoming. Were some of these songs written at the same time?
WL: All the songs on this record were written between the recording of Wyoming and the last session we did for this record. I’m sure there’s some residue there.
PPI: You guys have played in Austin a few times now. What are some of your things to do while you’re in town?
WL: We really like Waterloo Records. We usually try to get a good Mexican breakfast.
PPI: What have you folks been reading and listening to in the van lately?
WL: Been listening to the new Angel Olsen record a lot and the new Damien Jurado record. Been reading Willy Vlautin’s new one, lot of Charles Portis too. Read Nic Pizzolatto’s novel “Galveston”.
PPI: Do you find yourselves having to stick up for Mississippi while you’re on tour?
WL: Sometimes. There are ignorant folks everywhere, though. If I got upset every time somebody said something we didn’t like we’d have trouble. All you can do is try and act like your own self.
