Liamardo’s music is a fusion of different genres, blending rock, pop, and folk elements. Inspired by gothic and emotional genres, he weaves difficult emotions together into songs that can be bleak yet always hopeful, inspiring courage. His songs feature catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and a unique sound described as “full contact music.” The ideas explored in his music are not purely fact or fiction but have some semblance of both. Ultimately, all of his songs are love songs in one sense or another.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your new album?
This new album, Oh Fool, came to me when I had a realization that a lot of my ideas about life and music were leading me in the wrong direction. When I was writing and recording the album I was in a really dark place and having a lot of mental health struggles and, although in a way the process was cathartic, it was also a very foolish attempt to embrace my darkness. I realized that the album was basically a fool’s journey through Hell and that is ultimately what inspired the concept.
How has your music evolved since your last album?
My last album, Mara, was a lot more industrial. It was an album in which I was exploring a sort of robotic idea of love and going through a very codependent mindset. I think Oh Fool is a lot more liberated and independent, although it is also darker in many ways. I like to think of Mara as more of a prayer and Oh Fool as more of a journey.
As far as musically, I think this new album is a bit more polished than the last album. It emphasizes the vocal performances more and experiments with some harmonies and varying song structures. I felt like the music was a departure in the vocal performances particularly.
Which track on the album is your personal favorite and why?
My favorite track is probably Oh Paris and Cerberus, the closer and opener respectively. Oh Paris is a hopeful track about longing for another life—a fantasy that I’ve had for a long time. I really enjoyed writing the chorus for that song and feel like it’s a very happy, hopeful tune. Cerberus is much darker but I really like it as an opener as it sets the tone for the journey of the album. Also, I’m really satisfied with the groove.
Can you describe the creative process behind the making of this album?
There isn’t any linear process for me when it comes to writing. It’s always very organic and just sort of forms in my mind in bits and pieces until I feel like something finished emerges. I will say that a lot of the songs were either written late at night in a sort of frenzied, hopeless state or in the morning in a peaceful frame of mind. I think the dichotomy really gets across the idea of the album—expressing the highs and lows of foolishness and pain.
What was your biggest challenge while creating this album?
The biggest challenge was probably production. I’m still struggling to create drum sounds that I’m satisfied with so I always feel a bit disappointed by those limitations. I think that my next album will have an even more polished sound and the drums will be a lot more dynamic as well.
How do you balance your personal life with your music?
I struggle with mental illness—I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder a few years ago—so music is really a very healthy outlet to deal with some of the pain that comes from that. Sometimes music completely consumes my life, and in those times it’s unfortunate but it’s my passion so I guess that’s just the way it is.
Can you give us a sneak peek into your future plans for your music?
I want to assemble a band at some point and play live, however, right now I’m really focusing on just writing and recording meaningful songs that I’m proud of. So far I’ve written and recorded about 7 albums and each one of them means so much to me. In a way, they chronicle my life and my struggles so it’s also nice to have them to look back on and think about where I’ve come from. As far as my next album, I’m really interested in exploring more experimental recording techniques and making something with a lot of different textures. Something very visceral. However, like I said before, it’s always a very natural process so it really just depends on what happens in life and what inspires me in the future.
How have your experiences as a musician influenced your personal growth and development?
I think writing music consistently forces you to constantly reflect and look inward at your motivations and morals. I can say that having music as an outlet for so long in my life has undoubtedly made me a much better person. It gives you confidence, it helps you get to know yourself, and it helps you find your authenticity even when it’s not something that others necessarily admire or approve of. It’s like a little flame that’s always burning in me that drives me to keep diving deeper and searching for more.
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Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/william-hyde-jr/1548934977
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