Ahead of his show at Rescue Rooms on 7 November, we spoke to Briston Maroney about the differences between his debut album Sunflower and his sophomore album Ultrapure, his biggest musical influences, and his approach to songwriting...
For those who don’t know you, h ow would you summarise your music? Tell us about your sound, and your approaches to song writing.
I would describe the sound of this music generally pretty pleasant unless you don’t like the same stuff that I do! Songwriting to me is something that helps me sort out things in my head that I don’t think I could sort out otherwise.
Has anything changed for you between writing your debut album Sunflower and your sophomore release Ultrapure? Do you feel that you’ve had different/better insight the second time round, and if so, did that affect your song writing approach/process in any way?
I think the biggest difference in who I am now and who I was then is a trust for myself. This time around making record was so much less painful of a process, or at least the difficulties were so much more positive and easier to swallow. I think the trust I have in the way things go now has allowed me to write from a place of more freedom.
Having written and released your sophomore album, do you view Sunflower differently? Anything that you know now about song writing that you wish you knew then?
I absolutely do, I’ve been calling it the kid cousin to this record. It’s nice to think of the ways I wrote songs back then and I definitely wouldn’t change them, but I wish I had just been more generally confident and trustworthy of myself.
You take such a blissfully personal approach to song writing, every song feels inherently raw and real, like a window into your point of view. Is it important for you to write about your own feelings and experiences? Has this always come naturally, or has it been more of a gradually introspective journey? I can imagine it to be both vulnerable and rewarding.
Thank you for saying that! I think one of the coolest parts of creative writing is how inevitably a writer can’t help but put themselves in what they write. I think as I’ve gotten older I’m finding it more enjoyable to just share a story and then piece together how it relates to my own experiences as opposed to trying to over explain. It’s certainly scarier but yes so worth it!
Any prominent musical influences? These could be artists that you looked to growing up, or artists that directly influenced Ultrapure. Any other artistic mediums which inspire you?
Artists like Nick Drake and The Cure are a few that influenced my relationship to music when I was really young, and ultrapure relied on a lot of those early influences. I’ve been drawing and painting a lot and it’s been really freeing! I also love just walking around hahah.
Do you have a favourite track on Ultrapure? Any that you’ve really connected with, or any that you’ve noticed fans have really connected with?
I think Sink;Swim is one that I loved making and have felt the most moved by seeing anyone happen to relate too. It’s been so special and honestly life giving to be reminded that your most isolated moments are ones that you may be unified with other people in some day.
You’re about to embark on the UK/Europe leg of your tour! What’s your favourite part of touring? What are you most looking forward to fans hearing?
Getting to spend time with my best friends and share music for new ones is my favourite part of touring. I can’t wait to play songs like Breathe and Spring for new ears!
Do you have a favourite place/city to perform in? Any gig stories you can share?
Honestly each time we’ve travelled over here it’s felt like a blur so I’m just honestly excited to hopefully be a little more present this time! Too many crazy ones to pick one!
Any artists you’re listening to at the moment that you’d like to share? Anyone who gets you through the long waits in the airport?
They’re getting me through as we speak! I've been listening to Damien Jurado, Slow Pulp, Fiona Apple, and Palehound!
Moving forward, what’s next for you? Can we expect another album?
I'm gonna become a dentist!!!!!!!
Briston Maroney performs at Rescue Rooms on 7 November 2023.
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