Angie McMahon

Words by Erica Tello

In March of this year, the 24-year old Melbourne singer Angie McMahon, released her first TP titled ‘A Couple of Songs’: an upbeat pair of rock songs that leave us craving more of the honesty in her songwriting and her message of affirming yourself.   Over a few years, the singer spent time working on her craft, learning about herself and finally she’s emerging into the world into her own as a dynamic solo artist. At her first SXSW, McMahon won the Grulke Prize, which is a high honor for developing artists breaking ground with their creativity. After seeing her perform two times at the festival, I was enchanted to talk with the artist after her first set at the Melbourne Hub on Rainey Street.

How did you get your start in music? When did it all begin for you?

I started playing when I was four doing piano. As I grew older, I was covering pop songs and started putting them on YouTube. I then joined a soul band with some friends of mine as I was graduating. We did a couple of years of loud, soul music in Melbourne. After that, I decided to spend time on my own songs.  In my teens, I taught myself guitar. I’ve always wanted to do the solo thing though. I’ve always loved writing songs. I wanted to be Adele at one point, Sara Bareilles at one point.. Not be them, but I was inspired by a lot of female singer-songwriters.

You were also working in the industry in booking before right?

Yeah. I was working at a venue in Melbourne called Some Velvet Morning. It’s named after a song by an American songwriter. I can’t think of who it is right now, but anyways it’s an old song. I was working behind the bar for a few years, and then I started booking the gigs every single night.  It was really fun! It’s a singer-songwriter space, and I’d be there fairly often. I made lots of friends in that music community, and I felt it was something I could do that people would support.

Was there a specific moment that you felt called to pursue music on your own during that time?

Well, there was a pretty significant moment that I felt it wasn’t right like being at uni and being in the soul band. I started entering some music competitions when I was 18 or 19 and did a tour.  Once I was there though, I felt that my songs weren’t really good enough. I just kind of decided not to put myself in the public eye, until I felt ready. I spent a few years really writing songs and working hard at it. I was living at home at the time, where I spent time focusing on it before taking it seriously.  

When I was 22, I was like ‘alright I finished uni. It’s time to really learn about the music business.’ I met my manager, Charlotte, around that time. When I was ready to release my first song, Charlotte knew so much more about the business.  She helped me go about it the right way to get people interested in my music.

How was your experience playing Splendour in the Grass? Was it your first festival?

Not my first festival, but the biggest festival I’ve played. It was amazing! We approached it similarly to how we approached SXSW. We don’t want to stress ourselves out too much, just go and do the gig.  

People were singing my songs back at me, and it was really nice.

Yeah, I’m sure that was surreal. How was it also hearing your songs on triple J and being on the radio?

That’s nice, but it’s not as personal of an experience because you’re not interacting with people. You’re just listening to yourself on the radio. I don’t know how to feel, where to look, or where to put my hands when that is happening in the room. It’s lovely, flattering and important for my career but I don’t really love that. (laughs). But being at a gig and seeing people’s reactions, that’s much what I prefer.

I recently watched the video for ‘Pasta’ and I was inspired by the explanation of your visuals. You said that instead of just waiting for approval from others, all you have to do is encourage yourself and make yourself feel awesome. How has that attitude or idea come to life for you?

I think it’s something that cemented itself not because I wasn’t getting approval. I was so anxious when I started releasing music, because I spent so many years building up to that. By the time I got to that point, I was stressing myself out and really overwhelmed.  It was a nice response, but even if it got no attention at all -- I still would’ve had the meltdown that I had because I don’t know what my foundation is emotionally. I am putting music out, and I am looking for people to react to it. I didn’t feel particularly stable or self-affirming.  Over the past year, it has been a journey of releasing music and taking care of myself, seeing a therapist, or being open with people when I feel low.

Was there any piece of advice that you’ve carried with you in this journey as a singer? Any words that you’ve held on to?

It sounds so simple, but ‘work hard.’ I had to have that drilled into me, especially because my life at home is so comfortable. My dad would tell me I have a talent, but I have to work hard at it.  I would get down on myself though about not being where I want to be or I haven’t started my career yet. I realized I hadn’t done the work yet. I definitely needed to hear that message.

Also, I think taking my time was important. People advised me that I could take my time. That practical advice is what I needed as a creative,  hectic-brained person.

Since your career as a solo artist, what have been some of your favorite moments? Any memorable shows or stories?

There are things that may not be so obvious.  Little gigs or little interactions with people. Maybe an Instagram message or someone who tells me ‘that meant so much for me to hear that song.’  That kind of stuff is really important to just pull me out of myself and think ‘wow I am so happy I am doing this.’ Usually, those little things or moments that catch you by surprise.

I’ve been listening to ‘A Couple of Songs’ EP on repeat. It has given me the idea that you do not take yourself too seriously listening to ‘Pasta’. Do you feel like the EP demonstrates your personality as an artist?

It’s a snapshot of where I’m at at the minute.  The EP is just two songs from the album, so it’s a little teaser. It took the album a while to get all ready to go, and I just wanted to release a succinct example of what I’m doing. Musically, the EP is the most ‘rock’ that I am. Most of the other stuff is a bit more intimate on the album.  Even making cover art and confidently being able to choose a photo for the cover, that represents me. For me that’s cool and nice to feel confident in a decision for whatever it is.

‘Keeping Time’ you said is a love song to self-discipline. Tell me more about the evolution of the song and why you wrote it.

I wrote it with the same theme I’ve been talking about like the shift of when I was ready to pursue music.  During the time that I was pitching myself with a band, my sound and my look. I wasn’t quite there, and I was anxious about my guitar playing or not very confident about it. When I wrote the guitar riff for the song, I felt really happy with it. I was inspired by a band called Middle Kids.  Do you know them?

Middle Kids! I love them!

Me too! I just heard one of their songs, when I wrote that. I was really empowered by how the singer, Hannah, played and sang. It kicked me into gear, so that song maybe was me realizing that I am not perfect at music but do it anyway. Stop sitting still.

What inspired you to write ‘And I Am A Woman’?

I had the chorus line in my head after this conversation.  It was a conversation where you get caught up in feminism and how you feel as a woman.  You feel misunderstood. You need that deep fury you cannot express, and you’re so mad you can cry.  I was at dinner with someone and trying to talk my way through this.

This opinion they had, and I felt they were wrong.  I am not good at expressing my anger in conversation particularly with feminism issues because there’s so much that I want to say or so much that I feel.

I went home and kind of got it out through that song. I still feel like I have 15 songs in me about it. I spent a long time writing it, and I don’t know if it was finished when I stopped writing it.  I just wanted to yell about being a woman, and it’s done. That’s my favorite one to perform.

Listen to Angie’s EP here and keep up with her on Twitter & Instagram.