Following on from the success of her debut EP ‘If That Makes Sense’, 20-year-old Matilda Mann is back with a lovely new single. ‘Happy Anniversary Stranger’, co-written by Matt Maltese, is like a cheery wave in musical form. “I used to get the bus to school every day and there would always be this guy who I’d see every morning,” she explains. “We never spoke but I always thought it such a cute love story – to have a crush on someone from a distance and eventually getting the courage to say hello. The 266 to Hammersmith was the bus I got to school every day, so I’ve always wanted to work it into a song.” It’s the third cut from her new EP too, ‘Because I Wanted You To Know’ – so keep an eye out for that.
Hi Matilda – what first drew you to music, then? Can you recall your first-ever favourite song, or musician?
I remember loving Avril Lavigne, Gwen Stephani. I would sing their songs so loudly in the car with my family.
I think the first time I started (trying) to write songs was when I was about 7. I remember writing a something about a bright green twirly straw that was in my smoothie (but I completely subconsciously ripped off the melody from Gorillaz ahah).
How did you start making your own music, was there a steep learning curve?
I’ve always loved just mumbling out little song lines, but once I learnt the guitar, I started to make them actual songs. Technology hates me, so I’ve always found it quite difficult to record and get other parts down. So when I was in school I usually just stuck to writing folk/ acoustic songs. Since writing with different producers, I’ve loved adding new instruments and bringing the songs to life.
Is being a musician living up to the hype so far?
Hell yeah! Honestly, it’s never having exams again that I love, ahah. But (more importantly) I love meeting new people to work with, and I love the friends I’ve made during this whole process. Met some woooonderful musicians. And it also makes my week when people tell me they love my songs. I still can’t believe people actually listen to them ahah.
It must’ve been great growing up in London, did that help you break into the industry?
I think so, yeah. I’m very lucky to have been brought up in London. I love it so much. I think it just made it more convenient to go to sessions and meet people, also gigs.
Where do you most like to hang out?
Hammersmith river. All day, every day.
Is there a particular vibe you like to aim for with your songs?
Yes. I always wanna try and have a range of vibesss. I never want to just have “one sound”. The only things I want to keep consistent in all my songs are interesting lyrics and lotsa harmonies.
What’s your new track ‘Happy Anniversary Stranger’ about?
Falling in love with a stranger who takes the same route as you to school/ work. I used to get the bus to school every day, and there would always be this guy who I’d see every morning. We never spoke, but I always thought it to be such a cute love story – to have a crush on someone from a distance and eventually getting the courage to say hello. The 266 to Hammersmith was the bus I got to school every day, so I’ve always wanted to work it into a song.”
It’s from an EP, right? How’s that looking, is it all done and dusted?
Done dusted and readyyy. Will be five tracks. It’s called ‘Because I wanted you to know’. Each track is a message that at some point in my life I wanted to say to someone.
It sounds like you’ve been collaborating a lot, can you tell us a bit about that?
Yes, I’ve been loving collaborating. I like how different producers work and how they make my songs stand out from each other. I always think it’s good to work with someone who changes things up a little.
What else have you got coming up?
We’ve got a headline gig in April! So so excited about it. Will be at Omeara on the 29th, and I’ll be playing sooo many new songs.
Matilda Mann’s single ‘Happy Anniversary Stranger’ is out now.
