Artist Of The Week #252 - Molly Burch
This week’s Artist of the Week is singer-songwriter Molly Burch - who has just released her fourth studio album ‘Daydreamer’ via Captured Tracks. The album includes previously released singles, 'Tattoo', 'Physical', and 'Unconditional' each of which demonstrate a vulnerable yet vibrant side of Burch's matured skills as a singer-songwriter.
Having recently relocated to her hometown of Los Angeles, the beginnings of her latest album came together after Burch found her old diaries from age 13 and younger. Renowned for her captivating vocals and vivid depictions of love and loss, Molly takes on a new form in Daydreamer, focusing on the relationship she has with herself as well as the personal highs and lows that inform her self-identity.
Daydreamer boasts a sharper, much cleaner production approach and a bit more pop than Burch’s previous records, thanks to producer Jack Tatum. Molly shares, “I had worked with Jack before on our co-written song ‘Emotion’ that we put out in 2020. When deciding who would produce Daydreamer I knew I wanted it to be Jack as soon as I started writing. We have similar taste and sensibilities and I look up to him so much.” There are Japanese city pop inspirations, horns, strings, and more ballads, with a throughline of Molly’s masterful, shimmering vocals taking center stage. The result is music that feels stirring and sweeping, pulling in sounds and influences of the past, while also propelling Burch into a further development of herself as an artist.
Molly took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Molly - how are you? So your album is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
Hi! It feels really exciting! I'm very proud of this record and I can't wait to play it live.
It is called ‘Daydreamer’ - what is the meaning behind that?
I started writing the album around the time I was releasing my last one Romantic Images in 2021. Touring was quite back yet and I was feeling really depressed about the state of the world and the state of the music business. I started to doubt whether I could continue sustaining a life as a musician. I started looking back at when I first started to sing and saw a youthful daydreamer -- someone full of hope and drive. I wanted to tap into that energy and examine my life in relation to music. After the recording process was done I realized in many of the songs I wrote about dreaming or daydreaming and it just felt like the right title.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
Jack Tatum (Wild Nothing) produced the album and we did a lot of work remotely but we ended up recording together at my friend's studio in Lockhart, TX which is about 45 minutes outside of Austin, TX where I used to live. When we arrived at the studio we found out that a raccoon had died within the walls of the studio so there was a horrible smell throughout the recording process even with the candles and incense I got. We couldn't tell if that was a good omen or not!
What are the key themes and influences on the album?
The key themes are growth, music, questioning life, love. I wrote some songs thinking about my 13-year old self and comparing those feelings to how I feel now. I often feel like that girl is still inside of me and I still have the same amount of self doubt and insecurities but am able to mask them better. I think that's a pretty universal feeling. Sonically -- Jack and I were influenced by 80's pop music and Japanese City Pop music. I was thrilled that he wanted to incorporate strings and horns throughout the album. I've always wanted to do that.
If the album could be the soundtrack to any film - which one would it be and why?
Fun question! Though it's hard to answer hmmm..haha. Maybe Sixteen Candles (s/o to my mom who cast that movie) and Blue Velvet.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the album - if so, which one and why?
Maybe, "I overthink like it's my job, trying to please everyone" because that is very true lol.
Now the album is out there - what next?
I'll be touring the US all of October and then we'll see! I'm hoping to make my way to the UK in 2024.
