Review Fix Exclusive: The Liquorsmiths Drew Thams Talks ‘This Book Belongs To’ EP

Review Fix chats with The Liquorsmiths Drew Thams, who discusses the band’s new EP, “This Book Belongs to.”

Powered by the Van Morrison-esque vocals of Drew Thams, the tracks have this comfy feel to them, resembling the type of coffee house crooning you’d hear in a San Francisco or Lower East Side coffee house. Those talents extend to the guitar as well as each track has a lick or two that draws you in. “Coy With Me” is a good example of this, as it’s simply a good story, with a smooth guitar line. Clayton Payne’s drum work is just as silky, making the song feel like a Blind Melon attempt at a ballad.

But like many of the tracks on the EP, it lacks a pure hook. It’s the type of song you’ll like, but you won’t have a part that’ll draw you in more than others. This hurts its overall radio appeal, but for those looking for an Americana act with more polish and “feel,” the Liquorsmiths have this in spades.

Review Fix: How did you guys get together?

Drew Thams: There’s always a bit of chance involved in meeting the right people and actually putting in the time to get something started, but in what I realize is increasingly rare in the modern age, we met through the industry.

My main project at the time [The Peripherals] was coming apart and I was looking to start something new. I had a handful of songs to get it started as well as a direction in mind, just needed the right accompaniment. Prior to a gig one night, I stopped in for a drink at a bar near the venue; a bar in which Ryan happened to be the bartender. He also happened to be dating (at the time) the publicist for the venue I was about to play. I talked to him about the new project, he was interested, and we got to work soon after.

After playing for a few months with Ryan, we had the opportunity to play House of Blues San Diego. We were casually in the market for another member, but this booking placed a bit more urgency. I asked around and a friend of mine suggested I call the drummer in his old band, Clayton. Having seen/heard Clayton and his abilities, I knew he would be a fit. I called him and we’ve all three been together in this ever since.

Review Fix: What was it like putting this album together?

Thams: This album’s creation has been quite unlike any other I’ve ever done, and I’d wager that Ryan and Clayton feel similarly. We went about it somewhat unconventionally; recording in 3 different studios, tracking guitars and vocals first, long distance producing, etc. But everyone is so agreeable with one another and supportive of what each person brings to the group, and it resulted in a carefree approach to the entire process.

Review Fix: What makes this album special?

Thams: Apart from the personal attachment I have with each tune… We’ve always intended for and included a degree of improvisation in each of our sets, so we sought to also include it in the album as well. That understood, the individual parts recorded are not necessarily written. We each knew the general direction and structure of the songs, but we avoided over-rehearsing and dissecting the tunes in order to preserve human elements often lost in produced music. It resulted in a recorded ‘performance,’ something much closer to what you might hear from the band live.

Review Fix: Where do you guys draw inspiration from?

Thams: Dominantly other musicians, but also from the lives we lead. We see live shows every week, both local and touring acts, trade records with our friends and family, sit in with other projects, and read everything we can. I write music every day and throw most of it out, but what I throw out sparks even better ideas. I listen back to what we’ve done live and to our recordings, and work to push what we have further.

Review Fix: How was “Get Well Soon” written? Is there a story behind it?

Thams: When I would argue with my lady, once fed up with the discussion, she would say, “I am so sick…” and like a smart ass, I would say “get well soon.” After one such engagement, I sat down and wrote this song. I guess its somewhat of an apology song in context, wherein I express all the good things about the relationship, mention a few metaphors about how relationships can be difficult, and then say “get well soon” again, but this time said sincerely.
After the song was born, I took it to the band with the request that they both play percussion to give it a unique drive. They ran with it. I’d say it’s among the most entertaining songs live, featuring a drum battle between Ryan and Clayton.

Review Fix: Why do you think folk continues to endure and grow?

Thams: Folk is a very welcoming and accessible genre. The storytelling can be captivating, and the musicality alluring. It continues to grow as the world grows. Politics develop, hardships are always a constant, love swells, and so on.

Review Fix: What do you think makes your band different?

Thams: We’re a bit more progressive than your standard folk rock outfit, constantly pushing our arrangements and sound. The use of two drummers, tube amped instruments, and the raw vocal styling allow for an unique approach to a traditional genre.

Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself from this album?

Thams: I learned that I can count on my resilience. I’ll leave it at that.

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you guys?

Thams: Our sound is classic outlaw country meets modern garage rock, but with a unique sound of its own.

Review Fix: What do the next few months look like for you guys?

Thams: Pretty busy. We’ve got quite a few shows on calendar as well as a handful of festivals. In a perfect world, we’d immediately begin the recording process again, but we’ll see what becomes.