From the outset of their careers, Maribou State has aimed to blend classic electronica with a unique, genre-defying style. By incorporating elements of soul, jazz, and whatever resonates with them, the duo has not only redefined dance music but has also earned admiration, become inspirations, and, most significantly, established themselves as true pioneers.
After taking a hiatus from touring and overcoming personal difficulties, Chris Davis and Liam Ivory returned to the studio to produce their album ‘Hallucinating Love’ with a clear goal: to create a work that would have both sonic and personal significance. The result is an album that feels like a homecoming for the duo, infused with hope through innovative collaboration and an evolved, euphoric sound.
CLASH spoke with the duo during the week of the album's release to delve into the album-making process and the lessons learned along the way…
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How are you both? How has your year been so far?
L: Good! Just really busy. Things are starting to get exciting; we’ve been doing lots of press and in-store performances, which have been a lot of fun – especially the show in Liverpool, which was incredible.
C: We both spent Christmas away, taking some downtime before things ramp up, but overall it’s been good. We’re heading out on tour soon, which will be our first in 4 or 5 years.
How do you feel about returning to touring after such a long break?
C: It’s really thrilling.
L: Doing these smaller shows has helped us shake off the nerves.
We’ve reunited, put the setlist together, and it feels like we did most of the hard work last year. We’ve had a few days of rehearsals this week, and we feel confident now that we know the show works.
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What was the album-making process like? How did it all begin?
C: We were both facing various health issues when the concept began in 2020. The physical strain added to the challenges of the album-making process.
However, the silver lining was that it gave us something substantial to write about. The concept gradually took shape, featuring various themes, with one key idea being resilience and overcoming difficult times. In the end, that’s what the album represents. We should be grateful for those experiences, as they helped us grow. Ultimately, we’ve both reached a more positive place now – the record contributed to that feeling, serving as the antidote we needed.
L: There’s a sense of hope in the music, even considering the darker times Chris and I faced during the writing process. What came out is very uplifting, and thankfully, it didn’t turn into just an introspective, somber record. It could have easily become more melancholic, but I believe we managed to process those emotions into something more hopeful.
This album features numerous collaborations, with both familiar artists and newcomers. Can you share your experience of working with so many different people?
L: At the beginning of this project, we actually challenged ourselves to be more collaborative.
We noticed that we tended to be quite internal with our collaborations, and over the years, we realized while we had a strong personal community, we didn’t have much of a musical one. Then, after moving to a new studio in London that emphasizes community, it really opened us up to working with others.
L: We learned that having recurring collaborators is essential since we have an existing connection with them – that’s when we’re most comfortable and can truly express ourselves in our music. This taught us that it’s important to have a solid relationship with someone to create music together effectively.
C: Conversely, there were sessions with people like Andreya Triana, someone we’ve admired for a long time. She came in to do some vocals, and it was an amazing experience. We really had a range of experiences during the process.
Now that the tracks are released, how has the reception been?
C: The reactions have been fantastic. We’ve seen incredible feedback online and from the audiences at our shows. The Assembly Hall performance in Brighton was a particular standout – the crowd's response there was remarkable.
Have you noticed a change in how you interact with your songs during live performances?
C: Absolutely! It’s interesting – creating an album is so consuming; historically, we’ve taken years to write each record. You become so deeply involved, but once you hit the road, the songs take on lives of their own. They always sound different live, regardless of the track, but we aim to make that intentional – each song sounds close to the recorded version but is intensified for the live setting.
L: The music feels bigger, due to both the venue size and the crowd's energy. Plus, we’re sharing the stage with our friends, which adds to the overall experience. Ultimately, each track develops its own identity in a live context.
As for touring, are there any upcoming shows that you’re particularly
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Since the beginning of their careers, Maribou State has aimed to combine classic electronica with a genre-defying style. They incorporate aspects of soul, jazz,