What’s next on marigolden's list of musical things to do?

Marigolden! You just made a stunning entry with ‘Taking It Back,’ how does it feel to have a debut single out in the world?

Thank you so much! It feels like a lot of things... pride, joy, relief, anxiety. It’s overwhelming but most of all, it feels very right. 

How did you decide on the artist name ‘marigolden’? Were there any others in the mix or was it a clear vision from the start?

It took a while to figure out if I wanted to go with my actual name or create an artist name, and didn’t decide on ‘marigolden’ until I was living in rural Victoria for a few months. While I was there I was able to sort through memories I’d been holding onto for years and finally make sense of them. That’s what ‘Taking It Back’ is, really. One night, it really hit me and I sat with friends on a hill at sunset and poured out all the emotions with them. Afterwards my best mate wrote a poem about me called ‘marigolden made it’. Marigolds were my favourite flower as a kid, and the mixture with golden still reminds me of the sunset that night. It just felt very right when I heard it and captures everything that I want my music to be. Honest and strong and warm. 

I think playing under ‘marigolden’ allows me to have that healthy boundary when I’m sharing myself in a public space, especially because my music is quite vulnerable. 

‘Taking It Back’ has such a clear, powerful message. Are you able to elaborate on what that message is you’re trying to get across to your audiences? 

When I first started writing this song, I just referred to it by the first two words - “I’m tired.” The ‘Taking It Back’ part didn’t come until quite a while later. Sitting in that space, I eventually realised that I didn’t need to always be fighting to be strong. You can be tired and powerful. You can be hurting and strong. You can be still and brave. I realised what I needed to do was unpack my experiences and start drawing my worth from myself, instead of running from my own memories. 

I want people who are listening to understand that actions hold a lifetime of consequences. To look at themselves with honesty and ask themselves how they can do better. To treat themselves and everyone around them with kindness and respect. Sexism starts with the tiniest of comments and ends up in horrific attacks on human dignity. Find where you hold space and privilege and where your experiences can affect change and speak up. I want listeners to know that embracing your self-worth is a lifetime commitment - one that they deserve to make for themselves and for those around them.

What is the craziest story that you have from the past two years of gigging around Melbourne?

All my stories are pretty tame to be honest! Most often it’s coming home late from a gig, realising I didn’t have my house keys, and having to break and enter into my own home wielding a guitar… multiple occasions. 

If you could give a piece of advice to young female musicians in Australia based on your experience, what would it be?

So many things! My key mantra is ‘everything at its right time’. Trust your gut, know yourself and back yourself. Even though the music industry sometimes makes women feel like they need to get music out as young as possible, there’s no rush. Your music is yours. There’s a difference between taking the leap and being unprepared. Hone your craft and don’t be afraid to reach out to other musos. 

Aaaaand finally, now that your debut is out, what’s next on your list of musical things to do?

There’s a music video coming out for ‘Taking It Back’ very shortly, so I’m doing the final touches on that at the moment. I also have a couple more demos that are ready to be reworked into singles so hopefully another release pretty soon! Social distancing has given me time away from gigging to really sink my teeth into this side of my career and I’m loving it. 

Other than that - keep on keeping on! Now more than ever musos are having to innovate and work around what’s best for our community. I’m excited to see how the industry adapts.