Enfnts Terribles

Maxim Meyer-Horn

21 May 2023
Music

On Our Radar: Berlin-Based Singer MOLI Embraces Nostalgia in New Single ‘It’s Not My Fault’

The Belgian-British artist MOLI has been living in Berlin for several years now, where she is enjoying success both as a musician and songwriter. She has already penned songs for Lost Frequencies and Zoe Wees, but it is mainly her project ‘Préface’ that put her on our radar. She announced a new chapter in her career with “Bring on the Rain”, and her latest single, “It’s Not My Fault”, serves as its sequel. We went for a coffee with her in Berlin to talk about this exciting period in her career.

How is it to live in Berlin and make music in such a hugely creative city?

I personally love it. There are so many things to get inspired by and so many people to meet. At first, I found it a bit intimidating because it’s such a massive city, and I originally come from a small town. That was a big change. It took me some time to adapt to that, but it made me into the person I am today.

How did Berlin inspire the music you’re making now?

The way it influences me is just that I feel like I can be who I want to be. Berlin is so free; everyone just expresses themselves how they want to. There are no boundaries to what you can do here. It was a whole journey to find the sound that I have today. I’ve been influenced by lots of different things over time, but I really try to get back to the roots of what I would listen to when I was a kid. I find the inspiration for my music in the sound of music from the seventies. Being in Berlin gave me the feeling that I could do that and motivated me to try different things.

In 2021, you released your album Préface. How are you looking back at releasing this project?

It was a really fun time for me. On the EP, I experimented with writing in French, which was quite challenging, for me, at the time. For me, it isn’t as easy to write in French compared to English. I see Préface as a fun chapter and experience, but I still needed to grow with the sound I was making. I needed to take back a step after that to refind myself and figure out what I wanted to say and what I stand for as an artist. It feels like a long time ago that I released the project, but I’m still really proud of it. I’m on to new things now with the music I’m making.

Besides working on your project, you write for and with other artists like Zoe Wees and Lost Frequencies. Does it feel different from writing songs for yourself?

It’s definitely different because I don’t try to express what I feel, but it’s about finding the best way to express how other people feel. The process is different, but I really enjoy it. It’s a bit like a therapy session, where you’re talking about feelings and thinking about how you can bring them to life. I also overthink it less because it’s not me speaking. I’m a bit more open in the way that I write. I enjoy writing with and for other artists.

“Crying in the Swimming Pool” and “Bring on the Rain” seem to be part of a bigger picture. Is there anything you can already reveal about that?

I’ve been writing a lot of new music throughout the past few years, and I’m now in the process of finishing everything. I’ve been working with a producer called Matias Tellez, who I did “Bring on the Rain” with, and we’ve been adding his vision to the songs I’ve written, which I’m excited about. There’s also a song coming that I made with Tom McFarland, who also produces for Jungle. I’m really excited about that song since I’m super happy that I got the opportunity to work with all these amazing producers. We’re currently getting everything ready so I can start thinking more about the visuals, so a lot is coming up.

Talking about the visuals, what did the mood board of the “Bring on the Rain” visuals look like?

What I really enjoyed was finding the contrast between the music and the visuals. The mood board was a lot of different things, but I was inspired by Nadia Lee Cohen. I refound a love for photography that I didn’t have as much before. Then, I met Fred Wilkinson, who worked with me on the artwork. Working consistently with someone who understands who I want to portray and whose vision I love, was very important to me. 

Looking to the future: where do you see yourself in two years?

I’d like to play more shows and go on tour, for example, a support act. That’s my main goal. I also want to continue to write for other artists, which is a massive part of who I am and what I do. I love having the best of both worlds. If I’d only focus on my project, I would get in my head and overthink stuff. When I’m able to write for other people, it gives me an outlet to do different things that I wouldn’t necessarily do for myself, but still really enjoy. I love writing ultra pop songs but also indie music or a dance track. My project, of course, remains my priority. I love to invest time in it, and exciting things are coming up. 

“It’s Not My Fault” by MOLI is out everywhere. Follow her on Instagram and Spotify. 

Pictures and interview by Maxim Meyer-Horn

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