INTERVIEW:
Mad Hawkes
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WHEN you hear and listen to Mad Hawkes…
you get that confidence, sense of command and bad-ass cool coming through. I have been speaking with the American songwriter about her single, Fantasy, and what we will get from her E.P., Undone (out on 11th May).
She talks about what it is like being based in South Bay, Los Angeles and who she counts as idols; what ‘Babe Rock’ entails; whether she might come to the U.K. and play this year; which new act we need to keep an eye out for – she reveals how music came into her life.
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For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
Mad Hawkes is a project that has been coming to fruition over the last two years. I used to intern with Parts + Labor Records before they signed me to their label. In the four years I was there I was acting as a fly on the wall; observing everything and learning from other artists. It was super-cool to be immersed in that world. It definitely gave me the opportunity to understand what it takes to make great music and to pursue a career.
Fantasy is out. Can you talk about the song’s inspiration and putting together the music video?
I wrote this song when I was in a place of self-sabotage, in a sense. It’s one of those things where you stiff-arm the good things in your life for no other reason than feeling like you’re not worthy. It’s a silly mindset to be in; I’m happy it passed. But, I’m even happier I was able to take a s*itty moment in my life and turn out a good song. The music video was a blast!
It was fun to add a new perspective and some type of storyline to the song. It’s always cool to see how people’s interpretations of songs differ: we all take something from it that we can apply to our own lives.
Undone, your new E.P., is out on 11th May via Parts & Labor. What sort of things were on your mind when writing the songs? How would you define the E.P.?
The songs on this E.P. have been written over the course of two-three years. It’s really become a story of being in your early-twenties and experiencing so many things in life for the first time. I’ve gone through my first bundle of heartache and loss in this time. It’s been a moment in my life where I am learning who I am and who I want to be.
It’s hard when you don’t take the more ‘traditional’ route in life; sort of feels like you are prone to making more mistakes, which is cool. Mistakes really only mean that you’re trying new things. I’d say Undone is about trial-and-error and the feeling of losing your footing over and over again and just finding new ways to get up and get on.
You label your sound as ‘Babe Rock’. What does the sound entail?! How important are artists like Karen O in regards your direction?
‘Babe Rock’ is really just a term I’ve used to describe other female artists that I look up to and that I think are forceful in this industry when it comes to standing for something - and that is the kind of artist I want to be. Karen O is just an example of a kick-ass woman doing her own thing. I want to inspire strength and vulnerability the way these powerful, unique and strong women have inspired it in me.
Being based near South Bay, L.A.; how important are the beaches and bodies of the area to your songwriting? Do you borrow a lot from your experiences there and the people you come into contact with?
In general, you write about your experiences in life. So, I’m sure that growing up at the beach and living that lifestyle has inspired the music I write. I don’t know exactly how. I definitely used to beach and ocean as inspiration for many things in my life, including traveling. With that, you live more and you write more.
Who do you count as music idols? Did you grow up around a lot of music?
I grew up with a lot of music in my life. My grampa is a great musician and my grammy is a great dancer. They grew up in L.A. in the '50s-'60s when the music scene was exploding and was exciting. They were running in the Elvis and Temptations circles back then. Their lives revolved around music and that lifestyle was handed down to my mom. She’s always listening to something and excited about something. Some of my bigger idols are Amy Winehouse and Etta James...also, Blondie. Crazy-cool chicks!
Do you have any gigs lined up? Where are you heading?
We have a show lined up at The Satellite in Silverlake, June 13. Right now, we are working on a West Coast tour. We want to hit the road A.S.A.P.!
Might we see you come to the U.K. this year? Do you like British music?
AH, I HOPE SO. If not, then very, very soon.
Course I do! So many killer classics have come from the U.K. Depeche Mode, The Cure! Oh, and I love Arctic Monkeys!
What do you hope to achieve in 2018?
I’d like to put together an awesome tour. My main goal is to play as many shows as possible; get everyone to hear the tunes!
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?
My favorite, so far, has been this show we played a while back at The Satellite in Los Angeles. I think it was in March. It was the first time during a performance where I just completely let go. it was almost like a blackout, except not alcohol induced. ha. It was sooo coool to get to that place where you just say ‘fu*k it’ and unleash the beast.
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
I’d probably say the same things that I have been told over and over, which is: it’s really f*cking hard, so you have to be pursuing it purely for the love of making music. You just can’t give up. Most people will: you just have to outlast them and work harder than everyone else. It’s the path of most resistance, for sure. Haha. But, once you accept that, it’s the most fulfilling path in life.
IN THIS PHOTO: Yuma X
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
I really love Yuma X. They are a band out of Sydney, Australia.
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
At the moment, music is all-day, every day. Even when it doesn’t need to be, it still is. But, I usually take a trip to Mexico every year to surf and such. I grew up on the beach, so my downtime is spent there for the most part. Beer is almost always involved. No…beer is definitely always involved.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Walk by Nicky Blitz
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