Interview: Liquid Mike
Mike Maple Discusses The Band's New Album 'Paul Bunyan’s Slingshot'
Guided by Voices comparisons are a guilty pleasure when discussing rising indie rock stars Liquid Mike.
That’s mostly thanks to their mastery of short and hooky, lofi pop songs coupled with a prolific approach to releasing music, but environmental factors play a bigger role in the Marquette, Michigan quintet’s prodigious output than you might imagine.
“Living up here it's not easy to play out due to distance—but also because weather is an unpredictable crap shoot. So we just hunker down and record constantly,” songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Mike Maple told me for the interview below. The band’s line up also features Monica Nelson (synth/vocals), Dave Daignault (guitar), Zack Alworden (bass) and Cody Marecek (drums).
Plenty of other influences bubble beneath Liquid Mike’s crunchy guitars and infectious choruses.
I hear echoes of Superdrag, Weezer and Dinosaur Jr., but the GBV foundation is undeniable. That being the case, I believe Liquid Mike’s 2023 album S/T is their Bee Thousand while 2024’s Paul Bunyan’s Slingshot will prove to be their Alien Lanes.
As for other modern bands in their peer set, this music is perfect for playlists populated by Dazy, Young Guv, The Evening Sons, Militarie Gun, Supercrush, Benny J Ward/Rinehearts, 2nd Grade and Ryan Allen/Extra Arms.
On Paul Bunyan’s Slingshot, Liquid Mike has taken another big leap forward with catchy tracks like “K2,” “USPS,” “Small Giants,” and latest single “American Caveman.”
And more indie music fans are taking notice. S/T made quite a few “Best of 2023” lists and Stereogum published a great article about the band last year around the release of “Mouse Trap,” the new album’s lead single. I first heard about them in March from Add To Wantlist, a publication that has been singing Liquid Mike’s praises since their first album, Stuntman, was released way back in 2021.
Regardless of when you discover Liquid Mike, the good news is that there’s already a truly impressive back catalog for you to explore. Not bad for a band that has only been around for three or four years—especially when you consider the very real possibility that they’re already recording their next album.
I connected with Maple via email while he and the band prepare for the Feb. 2 release of Paul Bunyon’s Slingshot and get ready for a few Midwest shows, snow be damned.
Mike Maple Interview
Congrats on the great new album. The first five songs feel thematically linked around the restlessness of growing up in small town America. Is Paul Bunyon's Slingshot a concept album?
Mike Maple: Thanks! I would definitely say it's a loose concept album, but the songs are written as slices of life more so than a Point A-Point B type of concept album. When I started writing these songs, I noticed that there were common themes tying them together and then I just really leaned into it.
It's for sure the most focused album I've made thematically. I still feel and see the restlessness everywhere haha. Take "Drinking and Driving," for example. Being a mail man I see houses getting bought, tenants evicted, and turned into Airbnbs all the time. It just drives you crazy.
“When ‘Self-Titled’ came out a lot of people were comparing us to bands like Superdrag and Sugar. I love that music, but the truth is it's just runoff from listening to radio rock bands like Everclear and Foo Fighters as a kid.”
Why was "Mouse Trap” the right first single?
Mike Maple: ‘Mouse Trap’ really does feel like the heart and soul of the record in a lot of ways. I think it's the most immediate track, it emotionally and sonically sets the stage for what's to come. I tried to make a really heavy sounding and sludgy power pop record and that song felt like the best introduction.
Sometimes it feels like your environment is trying to do everything it can to keep you stuck in place and unable to get away. It was the end of winter last year when I wrote that and I was especially moody at the weather haha.
If somebody told me "Mouse Trap" was a long lost ‘90s alt rock gem, I'd believe them. Is that something you're aware of as you write and record?
Mike Maple: I grew up listening and loving that type of music and sometimes you just gotta let it take over when you're writing. When Self-Titled came out a lot of people were comparing us to bands like Superdrag and Sugar. I love that music, but the truth is it's just runoff from listening to radio rock bands like Everclear and Foo Fighters as a kid haha. I feel like So Much For the Afterglow has practically turned into a hidden gem from the ‘90s. I don't see much retrospective love for it, but I still love that album.
I also really love the second single, "K2." What inspired you to write such a hooky pop song about synthetic weed?
Mike Maple: I used to see kids smoking that shit all the time! On the bus, in bathrooms—we all knew it was bad and it took a while for it to go out of style. I feel like it was a pretty universal experience for a lot of people my age and I'm sure I'm not the first to write about it. But that song was so easy to write that I even added a second verse, which I never do. But a catchy song with a hyper-specific subject is always a good thing to run with.
There are echoes of J. Mascis in a lot of the guitar playing on Paul Bunyon’s Slingshot. Who are some of your guitar heroes?
Mike Maple: J.'s always been at the top of that list. I just put on the album Farm recently and I think the solo from "I Don't Wanna Go There" is one of the greatest guitar solos ever.
But Angus Young will always be my number one of all time.
As far as newer guitar players, Jeff Burke from Radioactivity and Marked Men is endlessly listenable for me. I love his bendy leads and super tight playing. Obviously, his songwriting is top notch.
I also hear some early Weezer influence on "Works Bomb" and "Drug Dealer.” Are you a fan of The Blue Album, or more of a Pinkerton guy?
Mike Maple: Blue all the way. I can't speak for everyone in the band, but for me it's Blue all the way. I'd take Green over Pinkerton as well, but that influence is there for sure. I do love how messy the sound of Pinkerton is.
We left a lot of screams of feedback in just about every song and the guitars are so loud in the mix.
The one-two punch of "USPS" and "Small Giants" really make me want to see you live. Any plans to tour for Paul Bunyon's Slingshot?
Mike Maple: For sure. We're doing a small weekend run of shows Feb 23-25th at Bells in Kalamazoo, X-Ray Arcade in Milwaukee, and 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis. But there will be lots more to come this year!
Who are some modern bands you guys would like to tour with?
Mike Maple: I would love to tour with Militarie Gun, Dazy, Graham Hunt. As far as dream bands that'll probably never happen, I would love to tour with Deerhoof. I would love to watch that band play every night.
I don't know much about the Marquette, Michigan music scene. Who are a few other local bands we should be listening to?
Mike Maple: There are quite a few bands! I play in a band called Curfews. Corey from the band's songwriting has always really inspired me with how unorthodox and catchy it is and I love playing with him. The Thirties are a great straight up rock band and RJ from the band plays the solo at the end of Paul Bunyan's Slingshot.
Addicus is a new band and they just put out a single called "I'd Rather Be With You" that I love. And Anise Star put out one of my favorite albums of last year called Gleam. It reminds me a lot of old Pinback and I can't recommend it enough.
Suddenly, this band seems everywhere...liked what I've heard so far.
Always rad to see bands from the upper Midwest getting some love. Getting in/out of Marquette is no easy feat! I saw the Feb tour dates for K-Zoo and Milwaukee. Didn't see any others listed, but hoping they'll make a swing towards Madison while they're down here.