The Brooklyn-based outfit channels the excitement of meeting someone with a commanding presence to bring you a high-energy tune filled with infectiously catchy lyrics and guitar licks.
Lily Mao and the Resonators approach music with the kind of energy that is ultimately infectious for listeners. Busking the streets of New York from sunrise and rocking the city’s vast DIY scene from sundown, Lily Mao and the Resonators have already established themselves as an act to watch in Brooklyn’s indie-rock community.
After Scranton native Lily Mao moved to Brooklyn in 2018, the band was initially formed with three members: the thrilling Lily Mao herself, Nate Jasensky, and Gabby Borges. However, with the addition of Tui Jordan, who would take on bass duties, Lily Mao and the Resonators took their music to another level. No strangers to the big stage, they’ve rocked out venues like Rough Trade, Mercury Lounge, and Knitting Factory. With a vibrant stage presence and commitment to electrifying their audiences, Lily Mao and the Resonators have already hammered out a niche in Brooklyn’s competitive indie-rock community. They will hopefully be rocking out venues for the foreseeable future.
“Tiger” is the crystallization of the energy and passion the band pours into their music. Meant to capture the feeling of meeting a stranger with a fierce tiger-like energy that draws you to them, Lily Mao notes that the inspiration behind this song came from an amazing date. Over energetic instrumentals, wicked guitar licks, and Mao’s exhilarating vocals, Mao and the Resonators take you on a thrilling three-minute journey that feels energizing. Every time Mao arrives at the chorus (“She’s a tiger! / She’s a tiger!), she does so with a gusto that feels liberating and giddy.
Lily Mao and the Resonator’s “Tiger” is a raucous, liberating take on the energy you feel when you meet someone with intense energy and click. Tap in and listen to “Tiger,” available on Dec 16th.
Welcome to BuzzMusic, Lily Mao. We think you knocked it out of the park with “Tiger” the animal references theme for the song just felt like it was flawlessly executed, you know? We have to ask, what was your origin story?
“Tiger” is a song about meeting a stranger with fierce tiger-like energy that immediately draws you to them— that feeling of carnal excitement towards a commanding being. “Tiger” has an infectious guitar lick composed before its lyrics were penned. After an amazing date, I knew the theme of the lyrics would be a perfect match for the crunchy chorus riff. I envisioned the song to be lyrically animal-themed due to the nature of the chorus, drawing inspiration from power structures in nature and society: “sensitive boy,” “crocodile,” and “pigeon” are examples. The guitar solo was improvised by me while recording “Tiger” at Greenpoint Recording Collective, drawing inspiration from guitarists Robert Quine and Ivan Julian’s angular solo on “Blank Generation” by Richard Hell and the Voidoids. You’ve already carved out a niche in Brooklyn’s underground scene. What qualities do you think to attract listeners to you?
The Resonators and I are super goofy, and our live performances are like a comedy show wrapped up in a rock show. We'll do an improv song at the end of our set. We set out to entertain everyone and have a lot of fun. We love the Brooklyn scene and are proud to be a part of it; many talented performers are out here.
So you all are not strangers to the stage. Is there any particular performance you’ve had that stands out as your favorite?
Playing at Dave's Lesbian Bar has been a huge gift for us as a band. We played with Jill Sobule last year at Dave's; that was memorable for me 'cuz Jill is a queer icon and an absolute rockstar. I also want to say our first performance of "Tiger" at Mercury Lounge was memorable for me. It's a fun song to play with a lot of energy, and it was awesome rocking it out for the first time on that stage.
You have a new EP releasing soon. What does it mean to be able to bring this project to your fans, and what was your favorite part about bringing this project to life?
It means so much to me to be able to put out these songs for y'all! Music is cathartic for me, and I hope these songs comfort others. Something to dance to, to scream-sing to, to cry to, there's a little bit of everything on this EP. My favorite part of bringing this project to life is recording in the studio; it's a privilege to record your music at a studio, let alone an amazing one like The Greenpoint Recording Collective. I loved going into the studio and getting creative, improvising solos, and meshing harmonies out. There's nothing like having your musical ideas come to life.
What kind of message does Lily Mao want fans to take away from their music?
If anyone wants to go out and make music, make music! Express yourself, have fun, and don't take yourself too seriously.