After originally making her mark with a string of impactful efforts in recent years, Irish singer-songwriter Molly Buchan now makes her eagerly-awaited return with the sweeping new single 'Ocean On The Moon'.
Marking her first piece of new material in two years, 'Ocean On The Moon' makes for a beautifully warm and emotive return to the fold. With her bright and shimmering vocals spread across a euphoric pop-rock production throughout, she continues to shine as one of the more exciting names on the rise right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Growing up between Scotland and Ireland I was exposed to so much trad music and fell in love with the fiddle which I’d play in pub group sessions. I find the nature of trad really wholesome and I’ve loved singing with trad groups too.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Taylor Swift has a very special place in my heart. I remember coming home from school everyday to just walk around the kitchen table for hours listening to her. I loved Avril Lavigne, Pink, anyone with attitude but also had a huge amount of influence from my dad, falling in love with bands like Supertramp and Pink Floyd.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Matt Cardle’s debut album ‘Letters’! I was only eight years old at the time but I have such a vivid memory of him on the X Factor and being so inspired and falling in love with his voice. My cousin gave me his CD for my birthday shortly after and we spent all our time putting on concerts for our barbies with it.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
If I could have written ‘Simulation Swarm’ by Big Thief, I don’t think I’d ever feel like I needed to accomplish anything again in my life - It’s such a beautiful song with hypnotising visuals. I hope I can write a song that descriptive and poignant one day.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Since discovering the songwriting techniques of Jeff Tweedy I’ve loved employing some of his exercises in my writing to get over creative blocks. A lot of the time, what works best for me is actively being open to inspiration all the time rather than designating time to make myself write. This way I can collect loads of notes over time and then use them as prompts when I’m feeling inspired.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I can’t get enough of Big Thief and Wilco at the moment - I’m obsessed with these artist’s lyrical delivery and use of descriptive language. I could listen to the same song over and over and it'd pull me in the same way.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Probably Joni Mitchell - She’s spearheaded my love of writing and expression through art since I began performing, and to open for someone who’s had such a profound impact on your life would obviously be a huge honour.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Getting to do the thing you love as a career (if you’re lucky)! And being able to use your creative expression to reach others. The idea that words I write could connect to someone else and have an impact on them is really exciting to me and makes it worthwhile.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Not making a lot of money, especially as a student! Also, the knocks on your self esteem and feelings of being less valuable than other artists around you. I think it's natural to feel this way sometimes, and I’m learning to use criticism as fuel for the next ideas.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
To always be self aware of why you’re doing what you’re doing, especially at such an early stage in your career - being surrounded by so many other artists in such a competitive industry can cloud your view of what you’re ‘supposed to be doing’ which can make you more hard on yourself when things don’t work out. It’s important to remember you’re on your own journey, and to be enthusiastic about that - it’s not a race!
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Molly Buchan's new single 'Ocean On The Moon' is available to stream now. Listen to it in the player below.