Not sure what to get your loved ones this Xmas? Marika Hackman is here to help

Marika Hackman sums up 2017 in three words: “A mixed bag”. From her standpoint as a musician, she’s accomplished a considerable amount. “I’ve had a record out, got a new band, toured America, played the first shows for this album, so it’s been an exciting time.”

The parts that made her year expressly ‘mixed’ materialised independently from her successes, and she astutely acknowledges the broader plain of 2017. “Obviously in the world, a lot of stuff’s been going on, which kind of undermines [her accomplishments]. So it’s been this real juxtaposition between my life, and everything else that’s gone on.”

Marika’s second album, ‘I’m Not Your Man’, was released in June, and she notes how her fanbase has evolved since she made the move away from the predominantly folky sounds of her debut album, ‘We Slept at Last’. “They just seem to be a lot more lively, you know? Like at shows they sing the words back and dance. It seems like they’re all quite a confident bunch, which is nice.” This likely has something to do with the rambunctious and tongue-in-cheek attitudes that underpin her newest record.

Its lead single ‘Boyfriend’ mocks the obliviousness of a man who remains unthreatened by his girlfriend’s affair with another woman, and the themes least ambiguously conveyed on this track have led to fans opening up to the singer. “I’ve also had a lot of people talking to me about their sexuality and stuff like that which is cool, saying that the album’s helped them in some ways and made them feel more comfortable with who they are. That’s been amazing.”

Touring North America with The Big Moon has been a momentous highlight of the year, and marks an important juncture in Marika’s career. “It was the first time I’d done a headline tour. I’d been out there with Laura Marling a few years ago which was a very different kind of tour - we were on a bus, with a big group of us. But this time was just me and The Big Moon, plus the sound engineer, driving ourselves across the whole of America.”

The trek from West Coast to East over two weeks in the summer happily proved to be an adventure rather than an ordeal. “It would’ve been the world’s worst tour - it should’ve been really really hard.” Despite there being “no days off and endless drives”, Marika fortuitously confirms that the tour was “all totally worth it.”

What made it so wonderful? “The shows were full, the crowds were amazing, and then it was just me and five of my best pals. It was a really, just dreamy experience.”

When asked whether she could share any of her plans for 2018, Marika looks shifty and laughs. ‘Umm, any I can share? Actually… I don’t?” Dissatisfied with her own deflection, she quickly concedes and offers up some proposals. “I will be touring; I’ll be playing festivals, I’ll also probably be making my next record. Those are the things I should be doing.”

FATHER JOHN MISTY - PURE COMEDY

He’s a classic crooner, I feel like a lot of mums might have a crush on him. He’s very charismatic, his music’s very, kind of, funny. The lyrics aren’t super ‘out there’ about stuff mums probably don’t wanna hear, but again very sarcastic and representative of day-to-day life. And he’s just got some good tunes, so I feel like mums would like him!

JOANNA NEWSOM - THE MILK-EYED TENDER

I mean, probably ‘Have One On Me’ rather than ‘The Milk-Eyed Tender’, but this is the one they’ve got here and Joanna Newsom’s a fucking babe. Much the same reasons as Father John Misty for the mums, I think Joanna Newsom just a fucking genius, and one of my favourite artists. I feel like dads would appreciate her - my dad would appreciate her, she’s unique, she kind of pushes music in quite a strange way, and she’s just a total babe. Dads would be down with that.

ALVVAYS - ANTISOCIALITES

I think Alvvays is just one of those bands; I find them really romantic. This’d be my subtle hint, like, ‘I fancy you, this is what I’ve been listening to while I’ve been dreaming about you’.

LANA DEL REY - LUST FOR LIFE

It’s timeless, but it’s still modern, and it resonates right now. I think it’d be a nice way of approaching that age gap, and the differences in what’s going on culturally. But also being like, ‘I think you’ll dig this, Grandma. This music’s still cool.’

MARIKA HACKMAN - I'M NOT YOUR MAN

Can I just pick my record? Should I do it? It’d be like saying, ‘Everyone always says you’re so great, you’re doing this, you’re doing that, but this is what I was doing last year. I made this, have a listen to it’.

BEACH HOUSE - TEEN DREAM

One of my all-time favourite records, I haven’t stopped listening to it since I found it when I was I don’t know, eighteen? I just think it’s very chilled; I can imagine just sitting back and listening to it like I did, and it’s kinda got that teen angst you’d want from it. If I had a little sister, this’d be one that I’d be like… get it.

BEYONCÉ - LEMONADE

It’s gotta be, right? It’s like the perfect album for that. I feel like we’ve all stuck by Beyoncé, and for much of this record, she’s really venting a lot of her worst moments. It’s so powerful, and I’d wanna give back some of that power to my friend and be like, ‘You know what, I’ve got your back - we’ve got Beyoncé’s back, and I’ve got your back.’

SIVU - SWEET SWEET SILENT

I don’t wanna offend him by saying no one’s ever heard of it, but it’s a fucking great record. He’s a friend of mine, and it’s an amazing record, but under this title, I feel a bit bad, because people have heard of him! He’s pretty lowkey, but it’s quality. Yeah? Put it on record: ‘Not meant in an offensive way.’ It’s his second record, and it’s so beautiful.

Taken from the December 2017 / January 2018 issue of Dork, out now. Order a copy here.