Medium Build on new album Country
Interview and Words by Graciella Clark
Renowned for his genre-defying sound and strong lyrics, Medium Build has been making massive waves in the music scene lately, with captivating melodies and profound storytelling. With the release of the new album Country, Pleaser had the chance to chat and unravel the mysteries behind his music, share insights into the creative process, influences, and dreams for the future. I ask you to find the time to sit down and listen to Country, to embark on a journey through the sonic landscapes of Medium Build and discover what sets him apart as one of today’s most exciting musical acts.
Photo credit: Tyler Kippaehne
PA: I loved that you said “I wanted this album to have my goddamn DNA on it”, are there certain things you knew you had to have somewhere in the album?
MB: nothing in particular. Just control. Or freedom rather.
PA: ‘Crying Over You’ embraces pure vulnerability, what was the experience of writing this song and sharing it with the world?
MB: wrote it with a good friend Jeremey Schmetterer in LA. I actually stole the chorus from something my friend said about wanting to go see some boy she had something with but instead she just got stoned and watched tv. I thought that was pretty funny and a good study of the ways we avoid situations that would require taking risk or how we sabotage nice things we might have opportunities for.
PA: How do you think your sound has evolved, compared to your previous albums?
MB: I’m definitely calming down and taking more from some of the folk rock shit I heard from my folks as a kid. When I started mb I just wanted to make Kanye earl and Tyler beats. And I still do but I also want to make shit that feels like folks are in a room jamming. I’m tryna make some music you can hear crickets going behind.
PA: What was the inspiration for your cover art? Were there any outside influences?
MB: when we were fetching inspo for the cover and the story around it we kept coming back to some Bay Area artists from the 70s like Stephen Shore, Hal Fischer and Michael Jang. Truly American vibes. but like the 70s, very aware that the empire is dying and American exceptionalism is a myth. We wanted a bit of humor mixed with sadness.
PA: You’ve opened shows for Lewis Capaldi, Matt Maeson, FINNEAS and now Holly Humberstone. Do you have a favourite story from touring?
MB: My mom is obsessed with Lewis and his boys. She made me get a picture of her hugging all of them before she left our show in Houston. Like individually. And then she’ll have them as her background on her phone for a few weeks. My dad is not a jealous guy.
Photo credit: Tyler Krippaehne
PA: Who is your dream artist/s to collaborate with?
MB:
Caribou
Adrianne Lenker
Tyler the creator
ml buch
Fred Eaglesmith
PA: As an artist, what are your goals and aspirations for the next year?
MB: Get some good sleep. Stay off the booze. Get the band on the road. Set some better boundaries with my time. Get better at recognizing bird songs.
PA: Your lyrics often dive into personal experiences and introspective themes, do you find songwriting cathartic, and what messages or emotions do you want to convey through your music?
MB: I find songwriting to be incredibly cathartic. I mainly just use it as a therapy and processing tool. The message is just get free however you can. Break out your shell. Be yourself. We’re all gonna die and nobody will remember you so why wait. Do that thing you wanna do!
PA: You have an amazing reputation for incredible emotionally powerful live shows. How do you prepare for your shows and is there anything in particular that you want your audiences to take away?
MB: Good sleep and exercise and water always help. But I just try to be present when I’m singing. Try and remember how I felt the day I wrote whatever it is. I hope people feel seen or relieved or less alone in the world. I hope they make friends at the show.
