A QUICK CHAT WITH MAL DE MER
Interview with: Saskia Fleming (vocals/synth)
Can you tell me a bit about your inspiration for your single Mirage, and EP Sanguine?’
‘Mirage’ started as an idea from John (guitar) who had just come back from Melbourne and was writing during isolation. It evolved into this pop-funk breakup track that details leaving a relationship that you know you should have left a long time ago. The inspiration for the lyrics was what I had just gone through in my personal life. The EP was inspired pretty heavily by the past 2 years of my life. ‘Sanguine’ basically just follows the journey out of a toxic situation, and the personal growth you undertake once you’re out the other side. But honestly, I like to let the music and lyrics speak for themselves - I think the tracks do it way more eloquently than I do, and I like to let the listener take away what they need from the songs.
What are your influences and how do they affect your songwriting?
Damn, I always feel stumped by questions like this because I don’t actually think about it very much - I feel like the music I listen to is pretty different to the music I create. But, in saying that, the vulnerable honest songwriting from acts like Fleetwood Mac, Phoebe Bridgers and Billie Eilish have definitely inspired me to have a very autobiographical, raw approach to lyricism.
What’s the creative process like for you?
We don’t really have a set creative process, which is something I love about the project! We’re constantly writing in different ways which I think is part of the reason each track is so unique to the last. Sometimes we start with vocals, sometimes just a riff, sometimes someone will have an idea for a couple of different parts and we figure out how to smoosh them together - it really depends on who has been struck with inspiration recently. For me, I’m writing songs in my head most of the time - albeit a lot of them are bad and never see the light of day, but I’m always mucking around with melodic intervals and lyrical phrases in my head; it’s like I’m internally fidgeting constantly! The notes app on my phone is chock full of lyrics, and my voice memos are a delirious cacophony of me trying to explain song ideas I've had at 2am to myself, and humming melody ideas way too close to the microphone. Sometimes, when I’m in a creative lull, I’ll just sit down and scroll through my notes and voice memos and see what jumps out at me to try to jumpstart my creative flow!
What do you think life would be like for you if you didn’t have music as an outlet?
If I didn’t have music as an outlet, quite honestly, I think I’d be fucked! It would be a super depressing existence, let’s just leave it at that…
Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with? Why?
Oh gosh - so, so many people! As a vocalist I think I’d love to collaborate with Genesis Owusu. I just love his unique style, lyrics and vocal intonations - I can picture being in the studio with him and I have a feeling it would be really, really fun! I’m getting nerdy just thinking about it, I reckon I could learn a lot from him!
What’s your advice to young people who want to make a career for themselves in the industry?
My main piece of advice that has served me really well: If you don’t ask, you don’t get! Wanna support a band you’ve admired? Email their management and pitch yourself - if you don’t try, you’ll never know! Oh, and don’t get too lost focusing on where you want to end up - enjoy the journey! The fact we get to get up on stage and play music we’ve written for a crowd of people who wanna hear it? EPIC!
Who’s the most interesting person you’ve worked with/met?
Honestly my answer is John (guitar), he is just such an enigma! I was intrigued by him when we first met in 2017 and started writing together, and I still feel that way to this day! I am yet to meet anyone like him, or anyone who even comes close! I genuinely can’t even put him into words, you need to know him to know what I’m talking about. But basically? He’s the best ever!
Favourite hangover cure?
5+ hashbrowns, and orange juice.
Any plans for a tour on the cards?
Oooh we don’t want to give away too much yet, but the short answer? Yes - think 2023!