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An Interview With Singer-Songwriter MOGLI On Her Latest EP, ‘Patience’ and More!
Posted On 10 Apr 2019
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Photo Credit: Isabel Hayn
With singer-songwriter Mogli’s latest EP, Patience, she let her own creative vulnerability flow through her into her music. And instead of exploring her surroundings, she entered the studio to find her narrative, seeking introspection instead of the outside world.
During that time the singer-songwriter went through an unexpected time of upheaval and transition. Relocating to Berlin from the countryside after she broke up with her long-term boyfriend, Mogli needed to learn to be patient with herself as she began a new life cycle.
“I was literally alone for the first time and had changed everything about my life. On top of that I fell deeply in love with someone I couldn’t have for the first time.” As a constant creative force she kept going without taking the time to process but ultimately had to learn to be patient with herself as she battled depression. “Patience is kind of about telling me that everyone sometimes needs a break – which was hard because I just really love to work and I love life and living.”
Altogether, Patience is reflective of an artist in the process of shaping her vision, one that’s been inspired by artists like Bon Iver, Lorde, and Ben Howard who have empowered her to trust her gut. “I’m inspired by people who I feel honestly share their feelings and have creative output that hasn’t been there before.”
Through five melancholic pop tracks, Patience follows the rebirth of Mogli, just as she is now. On the piano ballad “Another Life,” the dream of being with someone even though it’s impossible haunts Mogli’s sweet lilt. The hazy melody and pulsating synth on “Patience,” recalls a ‘90s-era Cranberries. The title track picks up where “Another Life” leaves off, ruminating on the back and forth of loving someone unattainable, but not being able to let it go: “Pick at your heart to find my splinter, hiding somewhere in there/Lick it, suck it, claw it out.” “Strobe Lights” is a somber electro-pop track that focuses on a moment at a club when you realize someone can simultaneously make you feel good and be toxic. With a crushing steel pedal, “Cryptic” concludes the EP in a stream of consciousness-turned folk ballad.
Mogli, never one to slow down, is already at work on her second album, which will focus on how depression and the recent rough phase of her life empowered her to grow. With music, the rising singer feels like it’s a spiritual experience: she pours her emotions into her voice and transfers them to other people. “I feel like I get to change perspectives.” Sharing her vulnerability makes her feel stronger. And with that strength and determination, she forges a connection with her audience.
Connect With Mogli Here:
Learn more about Mogli in the following All Access interview:
Photo Credit: Isabel Hayn
Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you?
Thanks for having me! I’m in the bus right now on my way to Zurich to play the 4th show of my Mirrors Tour!
Now that we are well into the 3rd month of the new year, how has 2019 been treating you so far? What are some goals that you have for this year? How are those New Years Resolutions going?
To be honest 2019 has been crazy! I announced my first USA Tour, released an EP, a music video and am on my Europe Tour now. It’s been great though because after months of hard work I get to share what I’ve been working on with the world. Consequently my New Years Resolution to take more breaks isn’t working that well, haha but it’s okay, I love my job!
Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?
My mum tells me I sang before I could speak, humming along to music she played as a baby. I still sing pretty much all day, every day, unless I’m not feeling well. It’s actually the strongest indicator that something is off or I’m about to have a cold or something, if I stop singing. It wasn’t really a choice to “be” a musician, it was more a decision never to stop what I love doing most.
Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what could you see yourself doing?
I am a very curious person and love to try out new things. So far I’ve been lucky enough to be able to intertwine it with my musical career like designing a fashion line, shooting a documentary, writing a book etc.
My main focus is and always will be music though. But who knows I might even study psychology at some point just for the heck of it or become a goldsmith. A “9 to 5” is definitely off the table.
What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?
It’s quite surprising that most of the work I do is not actually music. Being an independent artist for me means being a singer, an A&R and an art director, really. I love all parts of my job and the variety of it – replying to important emails after a show in the middle of the night though is not really a welcome task.
Photo Credit- Isabel Hayn
How do you think you and your music have been influenced by your hometown and where you live now?
My hometown really influenced me as a person. It’s a very international city that is pretty rough in some parts but very tolerant and open. Berlin, where I live now, is pretty similar.
I understood early on that we are all different and that it’s the best thing just to be me. My music reflects just that. I try to be radically authentic.
Let’s talk about your newest EP “Patience.” What was it like working on this collection of songs? Did anything surprise you about the overall process?
This EP is all about collaboration for me. I went into the studio with different producer friends and we just vibed on the spot. It was intuitive, honest and fun. It’s surprising to me how the songs are all so different but still feel like a collection. In the end, every song represents an emotion I had however different they may be.
How would you say that the first released track “Another Life” prepares listeners for your EP? What was the inspiration for this song?
This one is really dear to my heart so it made sense to release it first. To show everyone how vulnerable I’m about to make myself. It’s about the moment you look at someone and wonder how your life would look like if you were together with them.
What was it like shooting the music video for “Another Life”? How creatively involved with the process were you?
It was a very special shoot because I chose to work with a very small team. Director, camera, choreographer, the other actor and me. I wrote the concept together with the director based on something I lived through and the rest, including the dance scenes, were improvised together. We shot it on film so we only had one take for every scene but it worked because we all got ourselves really into it.
What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?
Of course I have days where it’s a little much – when I’m super busy or just want to relax. But to be honest I really enjoy to be so connected to the people who listen to my music. It feels like we’re community and I love creating art to share with them. I art direct most of my shoots so even if it might seem like just a simple Instagram post, to me it means I get to share something I created and care about. Instagram is my favorite outlet cause I also get to share my daily life in a non-artsy way in my Stories. I get to be me 🙂
Photo Credit: Isabel Hayn
Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?
Artists like Lorde, Alt-J & Florence + the Machine inspire me because they are constantly evolving. I love how they seem to not care about how their music is going to be perceived. Working with one of them would be an absolute dream.
Where can fans see you perform next?
I’m on tour all over Europe, USA and Canada until the End of May. www.mogliofficial.com/live.html has all the dates listed…
If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?
I don’t want to think about that because if I come up with something I’m gonna have to do it. I don’t believe in unattainable dreams… 😉
If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island, what musical item would you take with you and why?
A recorder that can loop. So I can use my voice and the whole island for sounds and write and record songs!
If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on? Or if you prefer, what is a movie that you love that you wish your music was featured in?
Unfortunately there is not gonna be another Harry Potter – that would be my number one choice always. I love Black Mirror on Netflix – that would be so cool!
At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?
I hope that the love I pour into these songs goes straight into them and makes them feel less alone.
Would you like to share anything else with our readers about your music?
If someone reads this and has never heard of me it would mean the world if they would have a listen to my music and drop me a message what it did to them.
