Mitch: Your third album, Violins, just came out on September 25. Do you mind sharing a bit about it and the themes that can be found throughout?
Blondshell: I started the record in late January of this year, and it took us a little less than four months to make. I feel like I came into making it with a different sort of writing perspective that I didn’t know I had until I started writing.
There’s a lot of stuff having to do with the body, and not just body image, but actually becoming comfortable with living in a human body and all that comes with that. That’s one of the central themes.
Another thing is trying to balance how ugly the world can be with how beautiful it can be, and trying to make sense of all that.
Mitch: What do you hope people feel while listening?
Blondshell: I think relief. The world can be pretty tough and I think the reason that I listen to music is usually for either just relief or joy, which doesn’t have to be in the form of a happy song. It can be sad songs that make me feel joy.
So I guess I hope people feel relief. But other than that, I think whatever they feel is fine.
Mitch: If the album was turned into a movie, what would the plot be? What would the movie look and feel like?
Blondshell: Oh my God, that’s crazy. Gosh, I don’t know. I thought you were going to ask me who I would want to play me. In which case I would have an answer and it would be Florence Pugh.
But I don’t know. I’d make it a thriller, I guess!
Mitch: What’s your favourite memory from making the album?
Blondshell: I just like being in the studio. Every time we make an album, we usually spend about a week or so in a really big, iconic studio in LA. Being there makes me feel really inspired, just being around all this gear.
Everybody takes it really seriously because it’s expensive to go and do it, so everyone’s trying to do their best work. I think that kind of environment can be really inspiring. That’s always my favourite part.
Mitch: You’re heading out on a huge tour starting in December. Why should people get a ticket? What can they expect from a Blondshell show?
Blondshell: I just think it’s fun. I feel like being in person and connecting over things like music really matters right now. So I feel excited to have opportunities to go and be with people in that kind of way.
I think it’s more fun than the record. The record is always so serious, and I think the live show has room for so much more. It has room for a lot more nuances and personalities and things like that. I just think it should be silly. I think that’s my new thing. I feel like live shows should be a little bit silly.
Mitch: Can Australia expect any shows to celebrate this album?
Blondshell: I’m hoping. You guys have to invite me! I love Australia. When I was there in February, I told my entire family that we all have to go to Sydney, be there on holiday, wake up at sunrise and swim in those little cliff pools. My dream is to go there on vacation and just be there with my family.
Mitch: What’s one thing you’d love to manifest for your career in the next 12 months?
Blondshell: We are manifesting good albums. We’re manifesting another three records that are good. That’s all I can hope for.
Mitch: What’s the best way for people to support you and this album?
Blondshell: Just listen to it and give it a chance.
RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS!!
Mitch: Favourite track from Violins?
Blondshell: Sea Legs.
Mitch: Go-to karaoke song?
Blondshell: ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ by The Smiths.
Mitch: If you could feature any artist on any track from the album, who and on which track?
Blondshell: SZA on Sea Legs.