By: Jamie Steinberg
Photo By Madebyryanmole
Q) When we last chatted you considered yourself an indie-pop artist and these days you’ve shifted to more of an alt-pop sound. What made you decide to change things up?
A) I don’t think it was a conscious decision to completely change genres; it was more about allowing myself to stop chasing what I thought I should sound like. As I’ve grown as a songwriter, I’ve become much more confident writing music that feels honest to me. The new songs are still rooted in strong melodies and storytelling, but they’re bolder, a little darker and have a lot more attitude. Alt-pop feels like a more accurate reflection of who I am now, both as an artist and as a person.
Q) What inspired your new single “Shout Louder?”
A) “Shout Louder” came from years of being talked over, underestimated and feeling like I had to make myself smaller to keep other people comfortable. It’s a song about refusing to apologize for taking up space. Whether that’s in music, relationships or everyday life, I wanted it to feel like an anthem for anyone who’s ever been told they’re “too much.” Instead of shrinking myself, I decided I’d rather shout louder.
Q) What has the fans’ reaction been like so far to the song and how do they relate to it?
A) The response has honestly been incredible. I’ve had so many messages from people saying the song gave them confidence to stand up for themselves or that it perfectly summed up experiences they’ve had. That’s always been the goal with my music. If someone hears one of my songs and feels a little less alone or a little more empowered, then it’s done exactly what I hoped it would.
Q) The song was co-written by Craigie Dodds. What did he bring to the track that made it beyond your expectations?
A) Craigie has an amazing ability to take an idea and elevate it without losing what made it special in the first place. He challenged me to push the song further, both lyrically and sonically and encouraged me not to hold anything back. His production gave “Shout Louder” the scale and energy it needed while still keeping the emotion front and center. It ended up sounding even bigger and bolder than I’d imagined.
Q) We heard you have a new EP on the horizon. What are you able to tease about when it is set to drop and what some themes you’ll explore on it?
A) The EP is called Shout Louder and I’m so excited for people to hear it. It brings together everything I’ve been writing over the last couple of years and feels like the most honest body of work I’ve released so far. It explores confidence, self-worth, relationships, growing into yourself and learning not to live your life for other people’s expectations. Every song captures a different part of that journey, so it feels really personal while still being something I hope people can see themselves in.
Q) You’ve recently been touring with Lucy Spraggan. What can fans expect from a live Molly Warburton show? A mix of hits and covers?
A) Touring with Lucy has been such an incredible experience and I’ve learned so much from watching her connect with audiences. My live show is mainly built around my original music because I want people to leave feeling like they’ve really discovered who I am as an artist. I’ll occasionally include a cover if it fits the moment, but the focus is always on creating an honest, emotional and energetic experience where everyone feels part of it.
Q) We’ve seen you hit the stage delivering powerful performances. What songs are still some of your favorites to do live?
A) “Shout Louder” is definitely one of my favorites because you can feel the energy change as soon as it starts. Everyone gets involved and it’s such a fun moment. I also love performing “Hopelessly Addicted” because it’s one of those songs where you can really see people connecting with the lyrics. And “Better Me” will always have a special place in my set because it’s such a positive song that brings people together.
Q) When we talked in 2023 your dream collaborations were with Miley Cyrus, Harry Styles and Stevie Nicks. Who are some of your current dream collab artists?
A) Stevie Nicks will probably always be at the top of the list. Fleetwood Mac have influenced me for as long as I can remember. I’d also love to work with Florence Welch because of how fearless she is creatively and HAIM because I love how effortlessly they blend classic influences with modern production. I’d also love to write with someone like Self Esteem. I really admire how unapologetic and honest her songwriting is. Also, top of my list would be KT Tunstall. She is the reason I got into playing guitar and even started getting into music, so she is definitely the top, got a lot to thank her for!!
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the wonderful music that you make?
A) I honestly can’t thank everyone enough. Every stream, every ticket, every message, every person who tells a friend about my music genuinely makes a difference. Being an independent artist means none of this happens without people choosing to support what I do and I’ll never take that for granted. I hope the music continues to be a soundtrack for people’s lives, and I’m so excited to share everything that’s still to come.