“Born and raised around horses and waves”
Melodic and simple, the above statement is how up-and-coming country artist Liam Mogan is described on his website’s bio. Accurately, it centers on two of his passions – horses and the ocean – but this construction engineer also holds a third near and dear to his heart: he’s love for country music. His appreciation for 80s and 90s country and beyond is found on his debut EP Headlights released last year.
We caught up with Mogan to talk about surfing, horses, new music and more.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
LM: My name’s Liam Mogan, I’m a 23 year old Southern California native. Nicknamed the Surfing Cowboy, I grew up riding horses and waves. As a day job to support the jumpstart of my music career, I work for my dad as an operator engineer (I operate heavy pieces of equipment). I love working on my truck, welding, guacamole and anything with gears. I think my music is different because it’s authentic to my personal experiences, which I think are very relatable!
CN: At what age did you discover music? How long have you wanted to pursue a musical career?
LM: My grandpa introduced me to Bing Crosby when I was very young. I was too shy to pursue music until he passed away a few years ago. The first time I sang in front of anyone was when I sang Hank Sr.’s “I Saw the Light” at his funeral.
CN: Which musicians, country or not, have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
LM: Hank Williams Sr. was the one I went to when I was younger and needed an escape. Others who have influence me are Bruce Springsteen, Little Richard, Kip Moore and Bing Crosby (I know that’s a short and incoherent list, but I feel that it covers all the bases without writing a hundred names out haha!)
CN: You grew up in Agoura Hills, CA and was very much involved in horseback riding, rodeos and even bull riding. Did you compete? What made you step away?
LM: I rode bulls until I ripped all of the tendons out my of left shoulder. Team roping was what I was into the most. I roped in ranch rodeos and local jackpots until my horse passed away a couple of years ago.
CN: Being from California, you are also a huge fan of surfing. How did you get involved with that sport?
LM: My sister took me surfing the first time. I came home after and watched The Endless Summer. Haven’t looked back since!
CN: What was the best wave you ever caught?
LM: Best wave I’ve caught was at Zuma (Nor Malibu) during the Hurricane Marie swell. There are some pretty awesome videos of that swell on YouTube that I still watch today when it’s flat 😂
CN: Are there any similarities between holding on to a great wave and holding on to a bucking bull?
LM: If the wave is big enough and the water below you is shallow, you can get a similar experience forsure! Just like a bull, you can do everything you can to put yourself in the right position on a wave, but once you wipe out you are not in control anymore!
CN: You have a very important mare in your life named Tulsa. Please share with us how she came into your life.
LM: Tulsa is the coolest. I lost my first horse (Yuma) a couple years ago to cancer. It may sound weird, but him and I had that kind of chemistry where we both were in tune with each other, and understood what each other thought. It was pretty hard to put him down. Anyhow, my family friends who live about an hour east from me in the Mojave, rescued a young filly and her mother out side of their ranch from a pack of wild Pit Bulls (which are a big problem right now in the desert). Tulsa and her mother were dumped in the Mojave and survived without food or water for sometime. My family friends are the greatest horsemen I know, and I learned most of what I know from them. When they decided that Tulsa might be too rough to train for them as they were getting older, I took her home. She and I have come a long way. I love her!
CN: Last year you released your debut EP Headlights, which was not only produced by Victor Broden, but he also played bass on the album. How did the opportunity to work with Victor come about?
LM: Crazy story. Victor met my drummer, Dennis Leeflang one night at a party in Hollywood. From what I’ve heard, they both stepped away from the crowds and found themselves hanging out in a quiet area of the party to get some space and chill out. Dennis, being the amicable person he is, started a conversation with Victor, and here we are!
CN: You also co-wrote each song on the EP with Victor. Being a songwriter, can you take us through your songwriting process?
LM: Funny enough, I write most of my songs when I’m not trying to. When I’m running equipment for work, a melody will pop in my head, and I’ll just run with it. When I get home I’ll put the melody on guitar and start adding a story to fit. Victor was the first person I’ve co-written with. He really helped fine tune my lyrics and melody lines, which helped especially for the production of the album.
CN: “Wokin’ Man’s Banjo” is a wonderful track inspired by your day job as an engineer in construction. Can you tell us how this song came to be?
LM: Thanks! I love that song, and it seems to be everyone’s favorite on the EP. I wrote it in Montana on an RV trip a couple of years ago. Although the lyrics lend an anti music perspective from my father (which he jokes about because he is extremely supportive of my music), the song really came about because of something else. Earthmoving is in my DNA. There’s a small tinge of guilt pursuing music knowing that the guys I work with, including my father may not work with me for very long if and when my music takes off. Digging dirt is what I know, music is something that’s never been done before in my family. Two passions pulling at each other. No matter what wins out, I will always be passionate about the other.
CN: Do you have a dream collaboration in mind?
LM: If I could write with Kip Moore, that’d be rad. Maybe get a couple of surf sessions in between!
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
LM: Different. Yes I know it’s cliché, but it’s true! I do feel that I’m always a little bit outside of whatever I’m doing.
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
LM: Toby Keith!
CN: What’s next on the horizon in 2019?
LM: Playing a lot of shows this summer, which is awesome because it’s the first time I’m having consecutive dates lined up! I’m always working on this YouTube mini series that I’m really excited about. Also, we are about to start the production of my new song “Rich and Famous,” and I’m so excited to record it!
For more information on Liam Mogan, visit his website at https://liammoganmusic.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.