Apparently as a kid i was always singing or humming away at something. I began singing lessons when i was 6 yrs. Musical theatre and music in general played a big part in my up bringing.
You’ve spent some time in Berlin…what was that like? Has it changed the way you make music? What’s the Berlin music scene like?
Of course Berlin changed me. How could it not? The music, the people, the environment ~ was the change I needed as an artist and as a person. Being in AK for too long can make you feel stuck sometimes. Berlin is the Electronic Music Capital of the world ~ thats what really caught my heart. The scene is alive over there. House music aint never felt and sounded so good.
Who or what inspires you, both musically and lyrically?
Everything and anyone. I like to think i have a broad perspective when it comes to what inspires me because Im constantly evolving too. My friends and family inspirer me ~ I like to have prolific, hard working people around me because they keep me on my toes.
How do you find performing and singing rather personal lyrics?
Its all part of it right? Thats what I believe being an artist is ~ We call it how it is. Dig into our darkest memories and share them with people we don't know, in the hope that they'll feel something too. Its about channelling a moment or an emotion and putting it into words or a melody. I often find that if I don't give my whole self to a song, I wont make it through vocally. Because, real talk, its the emotion that gets you through. I ain't afraid to be vulnerable in front of an audience because they my memories and my songs and i'm telling the story.
How would you describe being a solo female artist? Do you think this has had any impact on your work?
I love being a female artist, Ive had a very positive experience so far. I feel this is a trick question, in saying that, If you manifest negativity then thats what life will throw you. Male or female. Ultimately is about work ethic and wanting something enough to make it happen.
How would you describe your creative process?
Im still processing that.
How has it been working with the Fly My Pretties collective?
V lit. ~ I've certainly learnt a lot about myself. I feel honoured to work along side all the FMP legends. You have to remember I was in high school when they were dropping records left right and centre. So its pretty surreal.
What are your future plans?
Music. Travel. Evolve. Repeat.
A Girl Named Mo Interview
How did you guys each get into music? How’d you come to be in a band together?
I’ve been playing guitar and piano since I was 10. I come from a very musical family. I’d started writing my own music at 14. Started putting music to SoundCloud when I was 23… So I guess making music has always been a favourite past time. Two years ago I met Slade though his then girlfriend (now fiance oooooOOOOOoooh!) Olivia and when it was just Slade and I we had kind of a weird set up with a loop pedal and guitar… Very strange. It wasn’t the live sound we wanted. So Slade brought on Marcus who played an Octopad Electronic Drum Kit and once Marcus was in the mix everything fell into place.
Mo, how would you describe being a woman and the lead singer of a band?
Lets just say Slade and Marcus have very good partners who have trained them well to work with me. Jokes. Its different for every band. To me, being a family is very important to me. We keep each other in line - we are honest and up front. We challenge, annoy each other at times but for me I feel like one of the guys - and actually - there are times where they feel like two of the girls! Anyways, I love those boys. Disagreements are only ever over the music itself. Nothing personal, strictly business. Also, perhaps, as a woman (and I use that term loosely), I am very nurturing. Health and wellbeing and happiness is very important to me. I try to look out for the boys in that sense. I prioritise that.
What’s your creative process like? How do you guys get from having an idea to a finished song?
2 times out of 3 I write the music. Words, melodies, phrases, beats appear in my head all the time. I bring that to the group. Slade and Marcus will have their ideas about it - usually I will have the borders of the puzzle, Marcus and Slade fill it it. Other times Slade writes a beat that Marcus will learn and I write lyrics over.
Tell us a little about your lyrics…
I write all our lyrics. I love to write. I just love it! Its my favourite part of songwriting. I love to read a lot too. I have a wonderful boyfriend always giving me interesting books. From 19th century Russian Literature to Scar Tissue - that Anthony Keidis biography… I’m always remembering phrases that pop out for me. In that way I’m a bit of a literary magpie. Books, theatre plays, articles inspire the lyrics.
What’s on your mind when you’re performing?
I’m trying to feel what I wrote. I’m trying to take myself to that moment.
How has it been working with the Fly My Pretties collective?
Its been scary and intimidating to be completely honest. At times its been overwhelming. After shows sometimes I need to go for a walk by myself just to clear my mind. The lights, the glitz, the attention along with the creative demands and the high standard - its incredibly demanding. It’s no walk in the park - but having said that it’s a riot and I have to pinch myself sometimes just playing with my NZ musical IDOLS. Lots of fun.
What is your intention when making music?
I want to make music people can swoon to. I hope to create conscientious music that will take people far away without ever feeling homesick. I want to make music that is true to something I felt at whatever moment. Truthful music.
What are your future plans?
The World. Just to keep playing music and to stay grounded while being on the up and up! And also building really good side-careers outside of music is important for the future. And having families and strong relationships. Yeah but a fulfilling career especially when no one cares anymore is in the plan. I’m an actor. Marcus finished his masters in Public Health. Slade is into computer engineering. We’re pretty smart cookies. The future is bright.
Ills Winter Interview
How did you get into music?
I’ve been writing & playing music for as long as I can remember. It’s a true obsession.
Where does the name ‘Ills Winter’ come from?
Well, it’s quite simple, I was very ill and had some long winters. Kind of melancholy but what art doesn’t come from a bit of deep valley pondering? I’m much better now.
You’ve worked quite a lot with your husband Emile in the past – what was this experience like? Do you feel it had any impact on your music?
First day I met my husband he went out and bought a guitar, I didn’t know he wasn’t a guitar player or a singer - he wrote me a song and sang it to me, it was beautiful. I booked us a gig at some place a few days later, poor guy, it was a hardcore kind of straight edge gig & we were a bit out of place but everyone was lovely and we performed and it was cool. I didn’t know he was winging it. I think I fell in love with him straight away, he’s a brilliant musician and wonderful producer and man of many talents, so yes of course he’s influenced me as I have him.
How would you describe ‘Duchess of Whispers’?
It’s a piece of my psyche from a dreamer’s perspective. It’s about being an artist and what artists go through.
Your music feels very emotional and the lyrics are quite intimate. Who or what inspires you, both musically and lyrically?
I’m inspired mostly by people. Most I meet that have made an impression on me find their way into a song. Actually I just wrote a song inspired by an odd woman who came up to me in Newtown the other day. She wanted to lean on my shoulder when I was standing in the rain waiting at the traffic lights. She had an air of angry, so I let her. I really loved her insanity. I look forward to sharing that song in the next album.
How do you find performing and singing your lyrics?
I really love performing, but it’s also kind of terrifying if I’m honest, I get ridiculous stage fright sometimes, not because I don’t think I can play or anything. I think it’s because I can see all the things that could go wrong.
That all disappears once I fall in love with the people in the audience and anyway that’s the nature of live performance. I’m just a bit shy but I’m working on that, I’m a tiger underneath.
What’s your creative process like? Do you write lyrics then music, or what’s the process when you write a song?
I write lyrics and music at the same time, that’s why I like to always have the studio ready to record so the song doesn’t fly away before I’ve trapped it.
What is it like being a female artist in the music industry? Has this had any impact on your work?
Well some people think having a vagina really affects my guitar playing, did you know that the vagina controls how much practice one puts into shredding licks?
How has it been working with the Fly My Pretties collective?
Wonderful! It was cool seeing all the songs come to life in just a few days. I’ve made some good friends and looking forward to the summer tour.
If you could give your past self any advice, what would it be?
Don’t bother with Tom, Dick or Harry.
What is your intention when making music?
To make something good musically, that’s honest to my state of mind at the time and interesting. Sometimes I’ll write a song to comfort a friend even if they don’t know it.
What are your future plans?
Travel the world playing music with my band. Work hard, keep doing what I’m doing until the jig is up. Also learn how to play a medium sized harp.
