A Quick Q&A With Molly Payton

Nov 11

Nov 11 A Quick Q&A With Molly Payton

Despite only being nineteen years of age, London based Molly Payton is vastly emerging as an artist far beyond her years. Relocating from New Zealand just two years ago, Payton has already built an impressive collection of tracks in the form of her debut EP ‘Mess’, produced by Oscar Lang. As she embarks on the release of her latest EP, ‘Porcupine’, released 21st October via TMWRK, we caught up with Molly for a good old (virtual) chinwag.

Molly, congratulations upon the release of ‘Porcupine’, this follows the release of your debut EP ‘Mess’ which was released early this year. Thematically, how do the two compare?

Thank you! I think the main difference between the two of them is the times of my life that they each represent. I wrote ‘Mess’ almost three years ago when I was 15/16, and I think you can hear a lot of the insecurity and anxiety I felt at that time of my life in it. ‘Porcupine’ was written two years later in my first summer out of high school so it's more about uncertainty, freedom and recklessness.

You relocated to the UK from New Zealand just over two-years ago, how have you found the transition?

The transition was hard at first, being 16 and moving to a country and environment so different to where I'm from was scary. It's taken a long time but I'm finally at a point where I feel settled, London feels like home now.

Do you think your different surroundings have subconsciously found a place in your writing?

God yes! I figured a lot out about myself through having to start from scratch in terms of relationships and friendships and that process of learning about yourself through the people around you is one of the main things I write about in my music.

Between ‘Mess’ and ‘Porcupine’ you will have released eleven songs this year; is song writing something you have always pursued?

Music has always been a big part of my life, my mum started me off with piano lessons as a three-year-old. I didn't actually begin to write songs regularly until I was around 15 I think. A couple of the songs on ‘Mess’ are some of the first I ever wrote.

Personnel on ‘Porcupine’ include Oli Barton-Wood, Matt Allchin and Josh Crocker; did you have a clear vision for what you wanted ‘Porcupine’ to sound like before recording?

I had a playlist of influences that stretched from pretty heavy slacker rock stuff to country and old rock n roll ballads, but I didn't have a set idea of what I wanted it to sound like. Being in the studio for me is the best when it feels like you're uncovering a song rather than trying to make it sound like something specific - like the song is already there and you're just finding it.

Were there any key influences you referenced musically for the EP?

It was really just whatever I was listening to at the time. Off the top of my head a few important ones would be Pavement, Big Star, Happyness, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Alex G, Joni Mitchell and Mazzy Star/Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions.

Would you say you’re someone who thrives creatively in collaborating with others?

Pre-lockdown I was definitely more of a loner musically. I used to be such a purist and refuse to write with anyone because I thought I was less of a musician if I couldn't do it all on my own. Post-lockdown I think that approach was insanely fucking stupid - call me contrary but nothing makes you want to do something more than suddenly not having the option to do it. I'm lucky enough to have access to so many talented musicians and writers in London who have been working for longer than I've been alive, and even if when I collaborate I don't end up with a song I want to release, I still learn so much from the session. Collaboration is a wonderful, amazing thing.

Aside from a busy year of releases, how have you occupied yourself during ‘that’ ever-so-small-global-pandemic?

During lockdown I got writers block for the first time, which was fucking painful considering there was nothing else to do. I got a desk job working for my mum for a while, started teaching ukulele to kids in my area and watched an obscene amount of TV. If you ever need show or film recommendations I think I've seen everything under the sun at least twice.

Do you have any plans for a tour once live performance returns?

I actually have a few gigs booked in NZ in February since they're COVID-free, but in terms of the UK it's hard to know when live shows and tours will be coming back. Gigging is my favourite part of being a musician so as soon as I'm able and it's safe I'll be off touring for sure.