Photo by: Sarah Midkiff
Songwriter Mae Krell just released their latest track, “garden,” as well as an acoustic version of the song. Their music is equally as captivating as the meanings behind each track, so we were excited to speak with Mae to delve into “garden.”
What made you choose “garden” as the name for this single?
“The whole lyrical storyline of this track is a metaphor, in which the garden acts as the main comparison point. I had other ideas for a song title originally, but all in all I felt that ‘garden’ encompassed it all in the best way.”
Who or what was your biggest influence when writing this track?
“My own history with unhealthy coping mechanisms. I wrote ‘garden’ about three years ago now, in a hospital room in rural Connecticut. I was in pain and desperate for my life to be different than it was, but I also was scared that I wouldn’t be capable of functioning without it all. ‘garden’ is about that in between- knowing what’s best for you and your future while also being scared of the change.”
New York City is pretty significant for musical people with places like Broadway, Madison Square Garden, and Carnegie Hall. Do you think that this helped direct you into the music industry?
“I don’t think so! Growing up in such a big city with access to so much culture definitely exposed me to more art forms, but I don’t think it necessarily affected my interest in music. I feel like I’ll be making music no matter where I am.”
If you could do a collaboration with anybody, who would it be?
“Ah this is so hard! I’m such a big fan of collabs between artists. I’m really loving Briston Maroney right now, would love to write with him.”
I noticed that your music has a softer tone with the guitars and the piano. What made you choose to use this tone with your songs?
“Honestly, I just love acoustic music! I love the honesty and emotion that is portrayed with quieter stuff. I want to make music that I’d listen to, and so that’s what originally led me toward this genre.”
Do you have a go-to album? What is it?
“Ed Sheeran’s +. It was the first record I ever got properly obsessed with as a young teen. I can always go back and listen to it and I love it just as much as I did at fourteen.”
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you?
“I’ve worked with Joey Auch mostly, at his home studio. We’ll have some coffee and chat about the track we’re gonna work on, what it’s about, and how it relates to where I’m at now. ‘garden,’ as well as all the rest of the singles i’m putting out in the near future took about a full day each to record.”
On April 24th, you released a stripped version of “garden”. What made you choose to do a stripped version of this song?
“That’s the way it was written originally, just vocal and guitar in a big empty room, and I wanted people to hear it that way as well.”
How does it differ from the original version?
“The original has samples of a playground, a shovel, etc. there’s an ambience going on. It’s a fully produced folk pop track! The stripped version is really just vocals and guitar. It’s a one take that was recorded in the east village at a friend of mine’s place.”
Do you have a specific songwriting process?
“I don’t! but I definitely have patterns. I tend to mess around and find some sort of chord progression or backing melody I like. Then I’ll write lyrics, and then go back and write a melody and put it all together. I also typically write around one line that i’ll have in my phone notes or something.
I have written songs in other ways as well, but that’s definitely my consistent way of going about it.”
If you couldn’t be a musician, what would your next dream job be?
“When I was a kid my dream job was to be a pet store owner… so maybe something with animals? I’m not sure honestly, I haven’t really thought of any other options.”
When you aren’t writing or making music, what are you doing?
“Hanging out with my dog, Apollo! Otherwise i’m pretty much just working on music. Since I’m fully independent and do my own PR, visuals, etc. it’s super time consuming, but worth it!”
You said that “garden” is all about growing and getting away from negative things and not trusting yourself. What would you say to our readers that might relate to the message of this song?
“When you have a gut feeling and you know what’s right for you- go for it! Even when it’s scary and you feel alone and aren’t sure that it’ll be worth it, it will be. Trust yourself.”
Now that this song is out, what does the future hold for you and your music?
“Lots of new music! I just put out the stripped version of “garden”, which you mentioned, and my next single, “home” comes out on May 29th! Which I’m stoked about.”
You can stream both versions of “garden” below.
