INTERVIEW: LETLIVE IN CONVERSATION WITH JEFF SAHYOUN
Interview by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
No Barriers caught up with the talented guitarist Jeff Sahyoun to talk about letlive.’s mission to bring the authentic music and gig experience back to the punk scene
The Los Angeles based band letlive. are going to bring to Australian crowds: “gigs that share the art, the music and the love of punk music,” stated Jeff Sahyoun guitarist of legendary American genre-defying progressive soul punk rock band letlive. The band is coming to Australia after a long absence to play a five-date tour. “A letlive. gig is a dynamic, and chaotic experience. Even, with our setlists we just change things up, if fans want a certain song – then we will play it. We do it even 5 minutes before we go on stage. It keeps the gig real and meaningful”.
Renowned for their genre-defying progressive and lyrical punk soul sound and electrifying high-energy performances, letlive. is set to light up venues across the country. “We feel energised, unpredictable and well a bit reckless,” said Jeff Sahyoun. “Our gigs are based around no formal planning, no rules – we keep it real and authentic. We want our fans to let loose and enjoy the experience of live music”.
The band’s 2025 line-up features founding members Jason Aalon Butler (vocals), Jeff Sahyoun (guitar), and Jean Nascimento (guitar), joined by Sage Webber of band Point North (drums) and Skyler Acord of band Issues (bass). “Yeah. We are really excited to be back in Australia. We love playing there,” exclaimed Jeff Sahyoun. “We will try to cover a varied setlist but we are really happy with our latest album ‘The Blackest Beautiful’. Our fans can expect a setlist that takes from all our albums and if people really need to hear a song they can ask”.
letlive.’s new album ‘The Blackest Beautiful’ is a real winner as it has lyrical depth, poetic refection and fantastic instrumentation. “We’ll be playing through as much as we can. When we made ‘The Blackest Beautiful’ it reminded us of the worth of being a band again,” stated Jeff Sahyoun. “We had some time away. I had a 5-year break. I changed and went back to education and did a different job. But music was our passion. We got back together – at first through a phone call and then meet up and we found ourselves back in the studio. Then, it was, fuck, we should do a proper tour. And now we are on our way back to Australia. It’s a country we love to play in – it’s half work and half enjoyment”.
“We want to reintroduce people to the joy of punk music and a punk show,” Jeff Sahyoun mused. “There is so much noise in the world. Too many screens. We need to live now. I realise now that time is short. People need to live and feel. I have been playing on stage since I 13 years old and I am so lucky and grateful to be able to play for fans. I want fans to come and live that energy in the now at the gig”.
“We are going to share the music: the art of playing music and the love of hearing music,” said Jeff Sahyoun. “Let’s get out there – and - letlive.”
letlive. Australian Tour Dates are:
September 5 – Brisbane - The Triffid
September 6 – Sydeny - Manning Bar
September 7 – Melbourne - Max Watts
September 9 – Adelaide - Lion Arts Factory
September 10 – Perth - Magnet House
Tickets are available now.
