All it takes is one listen to recognize how talented Mothé is. After debuting in 2020 with their EP ‘Cindi’, they continue to impress. With their most recent release, ‘Summers Almost Gone’ they provide yet another beautiful project. Their sweet nostalgic sound is unforgettable. We at Indie Top 39 may have just found Mothé’s music, but are glad we did. After being blown away we knew we had to feature it in our New Music Sunday column. We also were lucky enough to grab them for a few questions about their recent release and their experience in general. We loved being able to talk with them, and think you will too!
As you’re well aware, I found ‘Summer’s Almost Gone’ simply delightful. Can you tell us a little about your musical journey?
Thank you. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I’m feeling very new and also like I’ve been here a long time if that makes sense. The Mothé project is still less than a year old, but I’ve been playing in bands in DIY for years and years now.
Your sound is so unique and versatile. How would you describe it?
I feel like my perspective on my own music is too close in proximity for me to answer that. I sincerely have no idea what I sound like to other people, but I try my best to just make whatever sounds the most fun to make.
Being a musician seems to have taken you all sorts of places, what has been your coolest or most rewarding experience musically?
It has certainly taken me to a lot of spots I wouldn’t have gone on my own. I don’t have an all-time favourite, but I’ve found myself loving all the smaller weirder places over the big predictable A market spots. There are some real cool freaks in the pockets of the US no one goes to.
These last couple of years have been crazy, how have they impacted you?
I mean I basically lost my job. I was relying on touring exclusively for a living so it was an entire life shift, I was home an uncomfortable amount of time and wasn’t able to make any money. It was really difficult and honestly it still is. I have a lot of recovering to do now.
How has performing and writing music been since your previous group, Moth Wings, disbanded?
It’s been a completely different animal. I’m playing in a full ensemble for the first time in over 6 years I think, and it’s been such an exciting challenge to build a show that large. It gives me the opportunity to play with some of my favorite people and friends, so 5 times the work but also so far 5 times the fun. At this point though I mostly write alone. I haven’t found a way to feel comfortable with other people seeing the writing process yet.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a musician?
I started playing music when I was very young so I don’t think there was any specific thing that made me pick it up. I do remember playing the electric guitar for the first time and being attracted to how noisy it was, also I loved that I didn’t actually know how to play it, so it was a great deal of fun and interest that eventually moved me towards starting bands
Where was your most meaningful performance, and what made it that way?
I think that so far my most meaningful performance was when we did the Moth Wings farewell show. That was just a really beautiful night of putting songs to rest and moving to a new place in my life. The people who had supported us over the years were all there, and it was just a really great night. Got to stay up super late with all my friends and be nostalgic, truly a favourite night.
Back to your recent EP, what is your favourite song off it?
I think I’m obligated to say Debt Collector since it’s the one that started getting me noticed at all. I was so shocked that one took off the way it did, so it feels like it changed a lot for me as an artist already, and it’s only been a few months. I’ll probably always be biased there.
I noticed ‘Summer’s Almost Gone’ was released under the label Slowlab Records while the previous, ‘Cindi’, wasn’t. Did working with Slowlab Records change your creative process at all?
Well Slowlab is very much a label that is still taking form. I own it with my friend Lee Evans and it’s helped a lot to have him involved. The support to get into my dream studios and pay out my band has been so amazing and helpful. It really allowed me to focus on the important things rather than freaking out about logistics. I look forward to building the label out more and signing more acts soon.
I think that building that community is going to change a lot about how I approach music.
MOTHÉ
What is your opinion of “the music industry”?
That’s a pretty big question, I just want artists doing whatever they want.
I know a lot of people struggle to make music because they don’t know where to begin. What is the first step you take when trying to write?
I think the first step is to just write without editing and let it be terrible and stuff. You can always go back and dig the gold out later, but you have to just commit to making something regardless of how much you end up hating it. And eventually it gets better.
I think the first step is to just write without editing and let it be terrible and stuff.
MOTHÉ
You manage to capture such different energies, sometimes feeling nostalgic others feeling modern. Who do you think your biggest influences are?
I try to write songs the way a lot of the modern pop artists write, always looking at Lorde for top line method, and aside from that I’m a huge fan of the last few 90s rock bands that were recording to tape, so I pull a lot of sound design influence from that era.
If you could give one piece of advice to those reading, what would it be?
Just make sure you’re having fun. If you’re not having fun it isn’t going to be worth it no matter how successful you get
MOTHÉ
What comes after ‘Summer’s Almost Gone’?
I believe more songs! I’ve got a lot more coming up and can’t wait for you all to see a bigger collection
Is there anything you want to let your fans know?
Keep having fun.
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