SPOTLIGHT: Mamalarky Finds Confidence in Calamity in New Record ‘Hex Key’
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY KYLEE WIENS ☆
SINCE FORMING IN AUSTIN, TEXAS IN 2016—Mamalarky has been steadily carving out a niche within the indie rock scene. With a unique blend of psych-rock, pop, jazz, and soul influences, the band defies categorization and has built a reputation for its technical finesse. Comprised of Livvy Bennett (vocals/guitar), Michael Hunter (keys), Dylan Hill (drums), and Noor Khan (bass), the now Atlanta-based quartet builds their music upon a foundation of mutual trust and respect.
Mamalarky released their debut EP—Fundamental Thrive Hive—in May 2018, showcasing their genre-blending style and intricate musicality. Following this, they signed with Brooklyn-based label Fire Talk in December 2019. Their self-titled debut album, Mamalarky, was released on November 20, 2020. In 2020, amid the pandemic, Bennett, Hunter, and Khan moved to Atlanta, Georgia, Khan's hometown. They rented a house with a makeshift studio, where they recorded much of their sophomore album, Pocket Fantasy. Released on September 30, 2022, via Fire Talk, the album reflects themes of friendship, nature, and introspection. The making of their newest record Hex Key took place amid the bustling streets and sounds of Los Angeles. The result is a bright, beautiful account of perseverance through hardship, agency found through adversity and confidence gained through calamity. Hex Key is the sonic and metaphorical testament to Mamalarky’s growth through the years.
Hex Key thrives off its unpredictability, shapeshifting through genre conventions and balancing off-kilter melodies with shimmering instrumentals. Lead vocalist Livvy Bennet possesses a stirring quality about her voice; it’s impossible to casually listen without getting hooked. Noor Khan tenderly maneuvers the bass, holding each track down with both confidence and ease. Dylan Hill’s drumming is airtight and binds the band’s rhythm section like glue. Michael Hunter’s ability to create dancing keys and swirling synth sounds produces tracks that are as dynamic as they are unique.
The Luna Collective recently sat down with Livvy Bennet to chat all things touring, defining genre, vinyl records, and self-confidence. On the process of creating the album, Bennet states “This record was recorded entirely by us, which made the process really immersive. I usually start with a seed of an idea, and then we build it out together. Sometimes, I write from an urgent place—just trying to get something out. Other times, a song comes from an instrumental discovery. It’s different every time, and I expect it will keep evolving.” This free-flowing creative process is evident in the album’s tracks. “Won’t Give Up” is glimmering with pop hooks and dramatic basslines. Other tracks like “Anhedonia” rely on Bennet’s mathy guitar sensibilities and structurally simple, yet ear-catching melodies.
The album drives forward with soulful influences, such as in track “#1 Best of All Time.” Noor Khan’s electric bass playing illuminates the track, and Michael Hunter’s bright synth additions round out the arpeggiated sound with ease. When asked to define the genre of Mamalarky’s music, Bennet laughed. “I literally don’t know! I usually just say indie rock because I play guitar, and there are rock elements in a lot of our songs. But that doesn’t fully capture it. We have funk and soul influences, cool synths, and a lot of experimentation. I should probably come up with something more descriptive!”
Despite their profound instrumental experimentation, Mamalarky maintains an element of approachability to their lyrical style. “Nothing Lasts Forever,” for example, begins with the lyrics “You know it can’t be wrong, if I’ve been feeling this so long,” and continues “Love is flashing past my eyes, and I see you there sometimes.” The track illuminates the playfulness and intrigue of a new love that feels like it will last forever. “MF” on the other hand details what it’s like to struggle through challenges that feel suffocating. The album concludes with “Here’s Everything,” a slow and soulful track that encapsulates the feeling of wanting to support those you love. Lyrics “I wanna take you to the sun/and warm everyone” reveal the band’s desire for closeness and love with the people around them.
While Livvy Bennet wants to leave the songs up to the personal interpretation of listeners, she states “I realized after finishing this record that there’s a lot about perseverance and self-belief. It’s about knowing what you want from life, even if you can’t see exactly how to make it happen. A lot of it was influenced by being in Los Angeles and navigating the ups and downs of being an artist. There’s also a theme of enduring love—whether romantic or platonic—the kind of love that persists through challenges.”
One of the key tenets of Mamalarky’s strength as a band is their emotional closeness. About this, Bennet states “We have so much history. We all lived together at different points, and some of us have known each other since high school. We were together during the pandemic, figuring out how to record music with limited resources. We’ve faced so many challenges together, and that built a deep trust. Being in a band is like being in a family—you’re going to be tired on tour, you’re going to have late nights pushing through tough moments, but that’s what makes the bond stronger.” It seems as though this album is a testament to the band’s friendship, their undying love for each other, and the music they create. The result is an effervescent, bright, and bold album which leaves listeners craving more.
Whether you’ve been a listener since the Fundamental Thrive Hive days or a brand-new fan, there’s something to enjoy and gain from Hex Key. Learning to lean on friends through hardship is one of the most important lessons one can take from the sonic and lyrical brilliance of the album. Be sure to find Hex Key on all streaming platforms, and stay tuned for the band’s future releases. You won’t regret it.
