Artist and producer - and Dork fave - MAC WETHA is back with a new single. Check out the latest cover story for our New Music Friday playlist edit, The Cut.
Words: Sam Taylor.
Photos: Alistair McVeigh.
Artist and producer - and Dork fave - Mac Wetha is back with a new single, his first since spring's 'Mac Wetha & Friends 2' mixtape.
Frequently seen teaming up with his pals in the NiNE8 Collective, as well as Rachel Chinouriri, spill tab and loads more, 'iBD' finds him affirming his own sound while offering up a reminder that sad times don't last.
Hi Mac! How's it going? What are we interrupting, anything fun?
I'm eating a sandwich!!!!
I'm eating a sandwich!!!!
How are you finding summer so far? What have you been up to since the release of your 'Mac Wetha & Friends 2' mixtape?
Summer's been fun; I've been spending a lot of time in Portugal and have actually been in the studio loads, too. I guess the bad weather this summer makes me feel okay to spend all day indoors making my funny music.
Summer's been fun; I've been spending a lot of time in Portugal and have actually been in the studio loads, too. I guess the bad weather this summer makes me feel okay to spend all day indoors making my funny music.
Do you have much new music in your locker?
So much music in my locker.
So much music in my locker.
"More collaborations, productions and other fun stuff coming soon"
— Mac Wetha
What's inspiring you at the moment?
I've been not listening to music on the go or using headphones or anything like that, and have been trying to use my phone as little as possible. I know it's kinda played out, but this disconnect does genuinely make my brain feel good and make me appreciate my surroundings in a more meaningful way.
I've been not listening to music on the go or using headphones or anything like that, and have been trying to use my phone as little as possible. I know it's kinda played out, but this disconnect does genuinely make my brain feel good and make me appreciate my surroundings in a more meaningful way.
Do you have a favourite place to write and record?
My studio in Kentish Town, or my friend's spot in the middle of nowhere not far from Maidenhead. The spot in Kentish is above a cafe, which has a super tight community around it, which is great for when I'm working alone because there are always friends around, and then the one in Maidenhead is just straight isolation, which I also enjoy.
My studio in Kentish Town, or my friend's spot in the middle of nowhere not far from Maidenhead. The spot in Kentish is above a cafe, which has a super tight community around it, which is great for when I'm working alone because there are always friends around, and then the one in Maidenhead is just straight isolation, which I also enjoy.
Tell us about your new single, 'iBD' - what does it mean? Where did it come from?
'iBD' is one of the tunes that came from a week or so stretch of me and my close friend Jim Reed writing, producing and losing our minds locked in our studio. The song has a different meaning for both of us, which is cool; for me, it's all about finding beauty in sadness and reminding myself that all feelings pass, even though I personally forget this every time something gets me down… I guess it's kind of a personal reminder.
'iBD' is one of the tunes that came from a week or so stretch of me and my close friend Jim Reed writing, producing and losing our minds locked in our studio. The song has a different meaning for both of us, which is cool; for me, it's all about finding beauty in sadness and reminding myself that all feelings pass, even though I personally forget this every time something gets me down… I guess it's kind of a personal reminder.
Did you have any specific goals while creating the track?
Not particularly, I guess I'm getting out of my comfort zone with my vocals a little, but otherwise, the song came about very naturally.
Not particularly, I guess I'm getting out of my comfort zone with my vocals a little, but otherwise, the song came about very naturally.
Are you working towards a larger project?
Maybe…
Maybe…
You do a lot of collaborative work - do you have any exciting team-ups on the horizon?
Maybe… Yeah, I do.
What else have you got coming up?
I'm playing some shows and am going on a writing trip with the NiNE8 guys over the next couple of weeks…
Otherwise, I've basically been in the studio all year so far, and I plan to stay here. Making music is making me very happy right now, so I'm gonna keep my head down until my next release. More collaborations, productions and other fun stuff coming soon. ■
I'm playing some shows and am going on a writing trip with the NiNE8 guys over the next couple of weeks…
Otherwise, I've basically been in the studio all year so far, and I plan to stay here. Making music is making me very happy right now, so I'm gonna keep my head down until my next release. More collaborations, productions and other fun stuff coming soon. ■
