Q: I am in love with your new track ‘With A Song’! Can you tell us what this song is about?
Mallaigh: This song is about the early stages of a relationship, and finding someone who seems really special. I wanted to encapsulate the anxiety and excitement of that experience - I think the two emotions are very intertwined, especially in that circumstance. When writing this track, I was inspired by alternative pop of the 90s. The songs "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star and "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer are two particular inspirations for the atmosphere of this single. My friend and very talented producer Seth Huff helped me capture the 90s alternative pop energy that I was aiming for.
Q: What does your songwriting process look like?
Mallaigh: My songwriting process changes a lot of the time, which keeps it exciting and new. I love learning new ways to construct a song, but I do have some methods that I come back to most of the time. Oftentimes, I'll have a theme or lyric I really want to use, then I'll find chords that fit the atmosphere and sound I want to create, and the rest of the lyrics will follow.
Q: Who would you say are your biggest music influences?
Mallaigh: I have so many musical influences that it's almost hard to keep track! I really admire Phoebe Bridgers as a lyricist; I think she is incredible at using nuance and imagery to convey exactly what she wants with a song. She writes the kinds of songs that give me huge songwriter envy (with peace & love of course!). I also love Mitski's lyrics; she's a poet in the purest sense of the word. Melodically and atmospherically, I've been drawing a lot of influence lately from the Cranberries and beabadoobee.
Q: What is your go-to karaoke song?
Mallaigh: My go-to karaoke song is probably "Love Story" by Taylor Swift. It's just such a fun song and everyone knows it, so it makes for a good karaoke pick.
Q: If you could have dinner with any artist, dead or alive, who would you pick and why?
Mallaigh: I would love to get dinner with Stevie Nicks - she's so supportive of a lot of contemporary artists, and I would love to ask her about Fleetwood Mac, and what it was like working with Tom Petty. I actually had a dream last night that she was reading Phoebe Bridgers' astrology chart, so I'd definitely ask her to read mine and maybe have a little tarot card moment.
Q: What can we expect next from you? Can’t wait to hear more!
Mallaigh: I actually am starting a new track this week; it's another dreampop song that I'm really excited about! Me and producer Seth Huff are starting to build an EP that will have a very 90s dreampop vibe to it. I can't wait for everyone to hear these new projects!
Written By Sarah Curry
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