Tag Archive | "Folk Rock"

Tags: Folk Rock, Mia Riddle, Music

Interview with Mia Riddle

Posted on 25 September 2009 by Mike

Photo by Eric Luc

There are very few music artists out there as engaging as Mia Riddle. With just 2 records under her belt, she has demonstrated the ability to write beautiful sincere songs which have a universal appeal. She’s an enthusiastic traveller with her creations, who’s out to show the world that the good old-fashioned honest approach is what it’s all about. She just lives and breathes her music. We caught up with the fabulous folk-rock songstress where she reveals all about her new album, songwriting process and life in New York.

Hello from the UK! How are you?
Hey there! I’m great.

For the wider audience, can you tell us about Mia Riddle and the life she lives? You started writing music when you were really young right?

I am a transplanted Californian living a somewhat bohemian lifestyle in Brooklyn. Our band all lives within a block of eachother, so we hang out a lot at the bar downstairs. It’s really fun. I started writing music when I was a kid, and have been in a bunch of different bands. This one has evolved from a solo project to a 6-piece rock band. It’s been really organic, how that happened, and it took a lot of time. I think that process really defined the sound.

Photo by Eric Luc

You’re in the studio recording your new album at the moment. How is that going?

It’s been going really well. We went upstate to the country for six days and recorded all the instruments. We played it all live, so it definitely has a sort of vibrance and rawness that we haven’t captured before. I’m going to sing on it in October at some point, but it won’t probably come out till late winter/early spring.

You also did some sessions for my new favourite website www.daytrotter.com! What was the best part of that experience and is there anyone else on there you’re particularly digging?

Daytrotter is awesome! It was such an honor. The best part of the experience for me was the essay that Sean wrote – he really cares about the music so much. My favorite Daytrotter session is still the Bon Iver one. It’s unreal.

Photo by Eric Luc

Technically, your song structures are so richly layered with hooks and melodies, but you manage to bring it together with one unique sound. What’s your usual process when you come to writing the songs?

It’s usually a pretty fast process. I’ll write a song in an afternoon or two, then after I’ve mulled it over for a couple of days, I bring it to our drummer Jeff, and we come up with the drum part, and then present it to the band, and we all start working out the final arrangement together. This is all a new thing in the last year, the process is a lot more collaborative than it used to be. I love that, everyone is so good at what they do, we’re really bringing everyone’s experience to the table.

Your approach to music is one that I feel is so romantic and genuine, with quality songwriting about real moments and experiences. You all seem to just enjoy what you’re doing together and appreciate life as it comes. I get the impression that the music is almost like a product of the laid back lifestyle that exudes from you? Would I be right?

Haha! I guess so….but I’m also one of the most uptight people around. I’m a little stress-ball, so it’s a balancing act. I just try to be as honest as I can, and tell stories with the best words that I can find.

Photo by Eric Luc

You’ve been here a few times over the years, but when are you coming back to the UK? You should definately come to Liverpool! Where else in the world would you love to tour?

We’re hoping to come back to the UK next spring, and we’d love to go to Liverpool, I’ve never been. I’d also love to tour more in Europe, we had a great time a couple summers ago in Paris.

Which other bands / acts are you currently enjoying?

All my friends in Brooklyn are making such cool music, it’s a great time to be here. Motel Motel are phenomenal, Scary Mansion’s new record is going to be great. Matt Pond PA, Holly Miranda, Abandoned Lighthouse, La Strada, Au Revoir Simone are all making great sounds right now.

Who would be your all time favourite band you would love to play live with?

I’ve always wanted to open for Pedro the Lion, if he would let me sing some backing vocals with him I would die. Also the Breeders, and if we were going really big, Neil Young or Fleetwood Mac would be epic.

How do you ‘chillax’ when you finally get time out?

It’s funny, when we finally get a break from working on music around here, I always really want to go play music.

Bryan Bruchman

Visual art

What visually stimulates you and those around you?

I grew up in the desert, and when I went away to university it was the first extended period of time that I spent around forest and nature. I think that seeing that kind of beauty on a daily basis is really good for you; now that I live in a less-than-beautiful city I try to get out to the country as often as possible. That dichotomy of city and forest figures really prominently in what I write.

I think your own CD covers have also been great pieces of art, particularly the bemused tiger heads on your first album.

Who does your artwork and do you have much involvement in the design process.
That’s nice to hear. My best friend Daria Tessler did the Tigers art, as well as that of the previous two solo EPs. Tumble and Drag’s art is from a painting by my friend Stian Rassmussen, in San Francisco. I really like to have art made by my friends, and I do the layout and design parts myself. The next album is going to have a crazy illustration by my friend Helen. It’s such a huge part of the album-making process for me; when all the songs are laid out and you can find a common thread between them, and then find a title and a piece of art that speaks to that, it’s really satisfying.

Tigers by Mia Riddle

Also, if you don’t mind, could you explain the concept behind the video to Open Wide. I have to say it’s beautifully shot and the dog is adorable!

Sure, that video was written and shot by our good friends Arlene Mueller and Marcin Nadolny, this brilliant Polish filmmaking couple. It’s a story about a lonely girl in the big city, looking for solace in the uptight little world she’s created for herself. Meanwhile the grit of real life is closing in and ultimately shatters everything, and she’s left in the rubble of her once-pristine apartment, eyes opened, possibilities suddenly everywhere. Which is awful and also exciting. Making that video was the highlight of the year; we and our friends did it all ourselves, built the breakable wall, borrowed the motorcycle….it was a truly epic experience.