Interview: Courtesy Tier

Reigning from Brooklyn, New York, rocker trio Courtesy Tier are preparing to drop their debut record Everyone’s OK on August 12. However, this beginning effort does not sound like it’s their first time around. Everyone’s OK explodes with uniquely driven riffs and powerful vocals, solidifying their breakthrough in the New York music scene and beyond. MEB had the chance to ask vocalist and guiarist Omer Leibovitz a few questions about the bands upcoming album – read below!

How would you describe Courtesy Tier to someone who has never heard your music before?

I’d describe the band as a rock/blues trio with harmonies that emphasize a love for classic country music, song writing that comes from folk music of the 60s, drumming by a hip hop fanatic from a group of guysof the 90s grunge era that bonded over their favorite 70s classics (Zeppelin, Lou Reed, Television).

Which song of yours would you pick to help describe the band?

It would most likely have to be the song “Home” because it shows the full range of dynamic that the band enjoys. All the way from mellow ballad beginning to the guitar and harmony heavy ending. Also the lyrics present a sentimental aspect which is always at the core of the writing.

How would you describe your songwriting process? Do you ever find yourself aiming for a certain sound or idea, or do you let things come to you?

Very rarely do we aim for a specific idea or sound. Sometimes I will bring in a song that I wrote on acoustic, and we improvise on it for a long time, take it apart and build it back together, until we land on a groove or an energy that feels natural. Other times we do the improvising first, and I will grab ideas and glue them together. The goal is always to end up with the most fluid and natural piece of music.

How would you describe your debut effort ‘Everyone’s OK’ in comparison to your EP ‘Little Rock’? How did the thought process of the band change from one to the other?

We did both albums in the past year, so things were not so drastically different. Although we did focus more on capturing live performances for the record.

‘Everyone’s OK’ has some really strong connections to iconic rock acts like Kings on Leon and The Black Keys. Who are some of your musical influences and do you try to channel them while creating music?

We are definitely a product of our influences, and some of those bands have been that to me personally. We never set out to do anything specific, it’s just the sound that comes out when we play. Our influences are very eclectic and these days almost never end up in rock music. There is a lot of world music in the mix, especially Afro Beat, also old R&B and funk, country and hip hop.

What inspired the sounds and themes of this new record?

A lot of this record lyrically is sentimental, and inspired by relationships of all kinds, and the strangeness of becoming an adult in strange times. Musically we wanted to touch on 70s New York for some of the sounds, but also we just had fun and stayed creative.

Once the album is out and you begin performing the material, what are you most excited about? Which tracks are you dying to play live and why?

Our live show involves a good amount of improvising. We are really excited to watch these songs morph and grow, as we inevitably always stretch things out, and push the boundaries of the album song structures.

What are you hoping listeners will take from this album?

We hope that they take whatever it is they need from this album. I know for me as a kid, and still, albums are a means of coping with whatever life is dishing out at the time. We hope the contents of this album gives that to a listener as well. Also if everyone is feeling good! We hope they throw it on for their BBQ and rock the fuck out.

What are you hoping to achieve and how are you looking to grow as a band from the release of this album?

We are hoping to continue to be this lucky and have the chance to make more records together, and tour.