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Photos by Sylvie Martin

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Photos by Sylvie Martin

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Have you always wanted to be an artist? When did you get the songwriting bug?
When I was little I fantasised about being a fiction writer and of being a violinist for the MSO. As a teenager I started playing guitar and then learning covers, so sort of replaced violin with guitar. I loved Kasey Chambers and The Corrs and very much wanted to emulate them! The first song I remember writing myself was when I was 15 and living in England, some sort of song about a non-specific yearning – don’t think my subject matter has changed much.

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think fans resonate with your music?
The people that resonate with my music do so because of its vulnerability, its matter of factness, its open-heartedness and honesty. I suppose my sound is alt-folk with a lot of pop-angst thrown in, and a bit pagany or celtic at times.

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today? 
There’s a lot of people I could mention but I love Sarah Mary Chadwick. She performs with absolutely no pretence. Her songs are real, no holding back, no posturing and full truth. She’s not trying to be anything but herself. Her voice warbles and wails in this emotive way. It’s not overwrought, but still soul wrenching.

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Your latest album ‘It Should Have Been Done With Ease’ will soon be released! Describe its origin and evolution. 
Basically it’s a collection of songs I’ve written over the last three to four years while I was in a stupid amount of romantic turmoil – all of the songs are about several break ups and/or failed reunions. There is a lot of fantasy, loss, sorrow, anger, cattiness, emptiness and rumination.

What are the signature tracks, and which are your favourites to play live?
‘It should have been done with ease’ is the title track and fun to play because it’s the ‘rockiest’ I guess. I enjoy singing “You were reading in your favorite chair” because people sometimes think it’s funny and it’s dramatic with the harmonies. I like performing ‘the shape of grief’ too because the harmonies and stops are quite emotive and people sometimes cry, which is satisfying.

What tours and events are coming up? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
No tour for time and money reasons! I’m launching the show at Old Bar on Saturday 11th May.

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Photos by Sylvie Martin

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If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
Delores O’ Riordan from the Cranberries. She’s tough but vulnerable, I love her yodels and wails and anger, and she seems cool – I wanna hang out with her and drink afterwards.

What are your long-term aspirations as a music artist and how are you progressing towards them?
This is a harrowing question. I’m not exactly sure what ambitions I have – I suppose to keep producing stuff as long as I feel the need to, hope to connect to listeners, provide some solace, express myself. I’d like to play some fun shows, meet other musicians and connect to the music community. Festivals would be fun!

With that in mind, what piece of advice would you give to an artist starting out?
Take your creativity seriously, set aside time for it, don’t feel guilty or self-conscious –  you don’t have to be ‘good’ (or what you think will be perceived as good) straight away and its delusional to think you will be. Focus on doing the activity for the sake of its catharsis or enjoyment, take some pressure off making a finished ‘product’ (fuck internalised capitalism). If you feel compelled to pursue something creative, you need to follow your nose – you will regret ignoring the impulse. Spend time with people who are proud of you and believe in you, eject haters.

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Photos by Sylvie Martin

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What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been the career highlight so far?
I can’t think of a singular highlight, but I love making grown men cry. Men seem to like my music somehow, which is strange; my dad suggested its because they aren’t good at being vulnerable so they love when someone else does it for them (lol). I often feel very exposed and like hiding after performing but I do really love the warm and authentic feeling afterwards –  its extremely cathartic and nice to feel ‘seen’. Singing in harmony with the girls who sing with me just feels really good too, I really miss the choirs I was in at school.

Finally, just a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Obviously can’t choose one but I’d have to say Moon Pix by Cat Power for now. I love the track Cross Bones Style with all my soul.
Artist – The Cranberries
Movie – Muriel’s Wedding
Place to visit – Northcote Plaza, Istanbul (only been once but I really want to go back), any house with a cat, cafes with loyalty cards
Venue to play – Old bar in Fitzroy – iconic; everyone that goes there loves music and Melbourne and community, has a fun dancefloor sometimes, what the beer garden lacks in pleasant smells it makes up for in atmosphere.
Food – Felafel pita pockets, grapes, cinnamon buns
Drink – Aperol spritz, fruity pale ale or Harcourts cider  
Person in History –  Mozart – seems a bit wild, writes cool intense music. I watched Amadeus a lot as a child.
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?)  – I have a tattoo of the Dido logo on my thigh. I love Dido and thank you is one of the first songs I learnt on guitar when I was 13. And it’s sort of silly and fun.

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Follow MOLLY MCKEW
Instagram – Facebook – Spotify

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Photos by Sylvie Martin

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AMNPLIFY – DB