Matilda Mann… with a Plan(n)
I first met Matilda in my sister, Lily’s, nursery playground, when she was covered in glitter and glue. The two of them have been best friends for as long as I can remember. Her daily knock at the door, and shout up the stairs to a late-yet-again Lily are an important feature of my school years.
It always makes me smile to think back to us all sat at the pub, crowded around an iPhone, listening intently to her first recording and excitedly tracking its ranking in an inter-school competition. Safe to say the competition went well enough…
Photos by Eva Pentel
Matilda touches the core of something real in her music. Starting out with the haunting and mysterious EP, October 16th, which decidedly pricked the industry’s ears in 2018, she went on to release three more varied, lyrical, and ever evolving EPs in the last two years. Initially drawing inspiration from folk music and inspired by the likes of Laura Marling, she combines poetic lyrics with harmonic melodies, a bit of pop, and more recently some rousing rock...
Some of her songs put a spring in your step and make you feel a momentary rush at the possibilities the future holds, others, a little darker, are tinged with bittersweet undertones which leave you reflecting on change and the passing of time. But in it all, her songs narrate stories, a few of which are retold amusingly in her music videos. For instance ‘Happy Anniversary Stranger’ tells of a commuter who catches sight of someone on a bus everyday, and falls for them without them ever knowing it and ‘Japan' sees someone fly across the world to fix a broken heart. Matilda steps into shoes of all shapes and sizes, leaving something in her sound to resonate with everyone.
Was there a moment when everything changed for you musically? Do you remember a particular day when it suddenly looked like you were going to get a break?
Honestly, it’s been kind of a slow growth, which I think I prefer. There’s definitely been moments where I’m like “wow, I can’t believe this is my job”. Things like playing as a support act for some of my favourite artists and doing my own headline shows have definitely been a significant part of realising the direction this is all going in
Your songs aren’t just musically captivating, you are also clearly a talented writer. Your lyrics are poetic and full of reflective narratives. Can you explain a bit about your writing process, and how would you say it’s developed over the years?
I think continuing to be quite vulnerable in my writing is definitely a key part of it. I have a ‘notes’ page on my phone that I dedicate to writing one line lyrics. So things I hear in public, in movies, or things that my friends have said, I always write them down if they have triggered something for me. Or just if I think it sounds nice.
What’s the most random source of inspiration which ended up leading to a song?
Once I was cycling down a one-way street, the wrong way, and a lady in a car past me and shouted at me. At the time, it kinda shook me, but then later that day, I wrote a song called “Wrong Way Street”. It’s about how sometimes love can feel like cycling down a one-way street, the wrong way. All that adrenaline and fear, but it’s also exciting, going a different direction that feels unlike any other.
You often talk about your love for Laura Marling, and how she is one of your greatest sources of inspiration. What do you think it is that you found so compelling in her work, and how did it resonate with you?
In 2018 I literally only listened to Laura Marling and The Staves. I think it was something about Laura Marling’s lyrics that really stuck with me. They’re so particular yet vague at the same time. It was like she had written her songs just for me, that’s how personal they felt. She also has such a calming presence and I think that was something I needed at the time.
I remember you once saying you couldn’t really sing as a child. Do you think that an ability to sing is something everyone can access, and how did it happen for you?
I think studying your voice definitely helps. Having singing lessons and understanding the technics is definitely a part of it. I think also just growing up and coming into your voice is a big factor. I think over the last few years, my voice has definitely changed. I think a lot of it has to do with confidence and I think I finally have let myself understand that people actually might like my voice, and they aren’t just listening to me as a favour…
Your most recent gig was electrifying, and it was amazing to see such a range of different sounds and moods being explored. Your new song ‘Hell’ was particularly memorable. How do you tap into those different personas on stage, for instance when you move between rock and folk, and how do you see your style evolving in the future?
Naturally I wouldn’t say I’m someone who likes to perform in front of crowds, so I found it handy to adapt a character when playing live to an audience. I think I have quite a natural neutral set of emotions, so I guess I find it kind of easy to tap into a different emotion. Also remembering and go back into that particular feeling I had when I writing the song.
We're all affected by the ever presence of social media, but considering the role it plays within your professional life, it must be important to find ways to switch off. What do you do to make time for yourself, and what would your go-to self care evening look like?
I do think I’ve created quite good boundaries with social media. I never really push myself or consume myself with it, as I know it would just lead to me overthinking everything I do. I do genuinely really like taking pictures of every-day life, so I guess I don’t mind posting quite a bit. A self-care evening probably looks like; going out for dinner with some friends and then maybe having a bath and an early night... definitely involves sushi.
Are there ever moments when you get ‘writers block’ with your work? What do you do to combat those moments?
It’s honestly the worst feeling but I found the only thing to get rid of it is time. You just have to wait for it to go, and know that something is going to come your way that will make you want to write something new again. Also listening to new artists and different types of music also helps
Who would you say your biggest support is, and in what way?
My family and friends have always been very encouraging, I think that’s the main reason I started to do it from such a young age and have continued. My manager, from day one, has been incredible and he’s probably the main reason for my success, mainly just by trusting in me and allowing everything to work out the way that it should.
Besides Laura Marling, who is your favourite musician? And if you were trapped in a room with them, what would you ask them?
I adore Still Woozy. He fits such a particular style of music. I think I’d honestly just like to sit in a room and watch him make a song… see the process he takes and how everything comes together.
You started creating music quite young, I remember an autumn holiday when we were all anxiously tracking your position in a school music competition. In a sense your music has paralleled your own development from adolescence into adulthood. Can you tell us a bit about the dynamic of that relationship? What are the challenges, or merits, to growing up with a maturing talent?
I think sometimes you forget to be excited about the little things. Past achievements don’t seem as big when you’re constantly looking to get bigger. I think it’s good to sometimes take a step back and look at how far you’ve come. I think that’s the case with everyone, people can put a lot of pressure on themselves and feel as though they’re not good enough when we’re usually our biggest critics. There’s so many things to look forward to, but I know that the challenges are only going to get bigger. But I’m always gonna love what I do.
You have posted many beautiful pictures and videos of Hammersmith Bridge in the past, and even filmed a promotional video there. What is it about that place that speaks to you and inspires you?
I think it’s just my favourite place in the area that I grew up. I love water, so going to the river is always a treat. There’s also so many places to watch the sunset and so many cute pubs. Most of my teenage years were spent on the river… but I’m excited to move somewhere new.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I’m obsessed with the band Wet Leg. I love the direction that they’re taking and how unique their style and approach to music is. I’ve really taken them on board as a new inspiration in my upcoming music.
What do you listen to on the Last Bus home?
I have a playlist with my most recent favourite songs called because I wanted you to listen. It includes a range of different types of music from Fleetwood Mac and the classics to Hope Tala and upcoming artists…
It would have to be ‘Darlin I’d Wait For You’ by Delaney Bailey