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Interview with Electro-Folk Artist Sula Mae

Born in the UK and bred among ravers and rockers, Sula Mae has come into her own armed with a hypnotic voice, ukulele and a rousing debut album.

By Beat StaffPublished 7 years ago 7 min read
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Sula Mae is no stranger to the stage, though not for the reasons you might think. This beautiful British blonde was practically born into the music world; she attended her first rave at just three-weeks old and her first rock 'n roll festival shortly after. This is all to be expected of a child born to a techno-head father and a rock singer mother.

Fast forward to 14 years old; Sula could no longer stave off the effects of that hereditary musical bug. She began writing songs, had her first gig at 16 and has since emerged as a full-fledged artist, having cultivated her utterly original brand of electro inspired folk music. Think catchy pop melody meets 'trip-hop cool,' a sound made all the more unique with her on the ukulele. For an artist that exudes such musical maturity, it's hard to believe Sula Mae is only now dropping her four song EP.

With the imminent release of her debut album, 'Blind,' Sula talks about her musical upbringing, her songwriting process and why she's "greedy with genres," but exceedingly generous when it comes to sharing her passion with the world.

Beat: For someone who hasn’t yet heard your music, describe your sound in five words.

Sula Mae: Soft, hard, dark, light, mishmash.

What was the inspiration for your first single, ‘Blind?'

Oh god! That’s quite a long, windy story, but probably one many people have had at some point in some shape or form. I fell for a teacher at the school I worked at. I managed to build up the courage to tell him and realised he didn’t feel the same, it was all just a fascination I’d built up in my head. So ‘Blind’ is about that experience, of falling really fast and hard for someone, then realising afterwards that you kind of went a bit crazy and it wasn’t real. But I think you have to put yourself out there into these uncomfortable, vulnerable spaces or you’d never learn a thing.

What was the writing process like for your EP album; did you start with the melody or the lyrics?

I usually start with the chords, then find a melody and put words to that melody based on whatever message I want to give. But ‘Mellifluous’, the second song on the EP, came out of nowhere. We had a ‘word of the day’ board in the school I worked in, because we were that cool! One day my friend wrote ‘mellifluous – sweet like honey’ and I thought, that’s my grandma! I went home and wrote that song in about half an hour, it was like it was written already. She’s such an amazing woman. She’s been through so much in her life and yet she’s always so positive. So it was so nice to be able to give her that.

You’re a self-taught musician; which instruments do you play, and are there any you’ve tried but just don’t have the knack for?

I’ve always sung, and I think my voice is my main instrument. I’m quite impatient with instruments, they don’t do what they’re told in the same way your voice does. I go through phases of trying out the guitar, then the keyboard, but I’m not patient enough to have mastered either (yet!) Which is why I love the ukulele. It’s so simple and Sula-sized. All the songs on the EP were written on the ukulele, though in ‘The Other Half’ we used lots of yummy bassy synths instead.

What sparked your involvement and outspokenness for the feminist movement? What is the most infuriatingly sexist thing you’ve seen in the music industry?

I don’t think it was really sparked by anything in particular, I’ve always been a feminist. And to be honest, unless you’re a dick and hate people, you’re probably a feminist. I think the music industry is a notoriously difficult one to crack whether you’re male or female. But I was shocked to hear that only 13% of PRS (Performing Right Society) members are female. There’s something a bit weird and unsettling about that. Most people I’ve worked with have been really respectful and I don’t feel being a woman holds me back in any way. But there has been the odd occasion where I haven’t felt my voice has been heard, and that can feel incredibly frustrating. Because you wonder whether you’d be treated in the same way if you were a man.

Who would be your dream duet partner?

Probably Dolly Parton, just because she seems really nice and I reckon she’d take you under her wing. She’s got such a good sense of humour about life, singing with her would be a lot of fun. Plus I’m sure she’d get you really drunk.

If you could live in any era in history, which would it be and why?

The 1970s of course! I’m reading Patti Smith’s autobiography ‘Just Kids’ at the moment. It seems like her life was just a massive cloud of cool. She even has a friend called Tinkerbelle. I think I’d call myself Rainbow if I lived in the seventies and I’d never wear black. So it’s probably for the best really.

Which song is on constant replay in your life?

One song which I think will always make me smile is ‘Be Thankful For What You’ve Got’ by Massive Attack. I remember the first time my dad played me the Blue Lines album in the car. It was the first time I’d liked anything he played me, because he’s mostly into techno and I was not having anything that didn’t have the Spice Girls singing it. I just love the lyric ‘Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, digging the scene, With a gangster lean.’ You can totally see it!

Which bands/artists have had the greatest influence on you musically?

My fascination with singing began hearing my mum sing jazz. She raised me on a healthy diet of Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and pasta pesto. These women have such deep souls and it’s almost like the only way they could release their pain was through singing. As a teenager I listened to a lot of folk. I love Joanna Newsom and Laura Marling, they’re incredible writers. Laura’s latest album ‘Semper Femina’ is such a beautiful work of art. Now I listen mostly to electronic pop, but Jazz will always be my staple diet.

How do you envision your career in one, five and ten years from now?

Wow, I’m not sure what I’ll be doing tomorrow let alone in ten years! My dream has always been to play on Glastonbury’s main stage. Who knows, maybe the universe will make it happen, maybe it’s not meant for me. I’ll always be making music though, that’s for sure. I only feel an inch of myself when I’m not.

Favorite lyric from one of your own songs, and from someone else’s?

One of the lines from ‘Blind’ is ‘there’s only one life we’re living, there’s only one heart we’re giving, give openly and you might find one of your kind.’ Sometimes that involves getting hurt, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There’s always a lesson in there somewhere. And sometimes you can even get a song out of that lesson!

I love the line from Ella Fitzgerald’s ‘I’m Just A Lucky So And So’: ‘I may not have a lot of money, I know. Still life is milk and honey, I know. Oh I guess I’m just a lucky so and so.’ I feel ya Ella!

What should new fans know about Sula Mae?

Come to one of my gigs and find out for yourself! I’m launching my EP on 26th April 2017 at the Ritzy and it’s free entry. Come down!

More information on Sula Mae

Follow Sula @sulamaemusic

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About the Creator

Beat Staff

Constantly humming, always tapping, forever in the Beat. We constantly fight over artists, and the best song of this year. Karaoke is a must.

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