Love Like Fiction is a pop-punk band based in Phoenix, Arizona srawing inspiration from bands like Panic! At the Disco, Brand New, New Found Glory and Mayday Parade. The band’s sound is upbeat and poppy with a melancholic undertone.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Nick Barker - Vocals 

Frankie Stapley - Guitar/Back-up Vocals

Marin Bridges - Guitar 

Paul Ritchie - Bass 

Tara Goltz - Drums 

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Love Like Fiction? How long has the band been around? 

We all came from many different genres of local Phoenix bands that all fizzled out over time.  We met each other on July 1, 2018 so Love Like Fiction has been around for a little over a year now.  

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

Tara and a friend were talking about the individual romance novels they were working on and began joking around about how the best kinds of love come from fictional movies, tv shows, and books.  

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

We all have a pretty big influence in the songwriting. Generally one or two of us get something started in our free time and then we bring it to everyone else to get it finished up. A lot of our music is based around living with mental illness, but that is changing. We are definitely moving towards diversifying our music.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

We are currently inspired by Brendon Urie, Dance Gavin Dance, Good Charlotte, and Neck Deep. 

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

Marin was heavily inspired when she saw Green Day in concert and afterwards she sought out her friend Tara from work to start a band and collectively they began to put Love Like Fiction together. 

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …

Nick likes to keep things loose with an assortment of “ooh’s” and “ah’s” while the whole band enjoys light aerobics pre-show. We also love picking up local food for a family dinner.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

We were fortunate enough to play alongside Sum 41, The Wrecks, and SWMRS during BandSplash in Tempe, Arizona.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Queen is the general consensus because of how much they impacted the music scene and people’s lives. They are legends.

Is there anything else you would like to add? 

We reference life with mental illness a lot in our music and it is extremely important to us that we help raise awareness for mental health. We are also really driven by the idea of introducing elements from our favorite pop-punk icons into our music. We aim to create a nostalgic feeling with a fresh spin on classic themes.