Q&A: memmi Explores Infinite Sounds With Debut Project 'Heartburn'
ALREADY AN ESTABLISHED PRODUCER AND SONGWRITER - one of the most recent tantalizing releases has been memmi’s debut EP Heartburn. Worth more than just checking out, but rather repeat listenings, this first solo showcase by memmi is a perfect addition to any current playlists or song rotations you got going. Having worked with artists such as Ty Dolla$, Smino, & Leven Kali, it’s novel to listen to a collection of tracks created by someone with obvious prowess and natural talent; cool vocals and a fluid production style curate a unique listening experience.
Standout tracks such as “Bad Side” and “I Keep Thinking” help make up this perfectly singular set of songs, and set memmi up amongst the most exciting new artists to keep on your radar.
Read below to hear more about memmi’s creative process, what he loved most about putting Heartburn together, and diverging into releasing music as a solo artist.
LUNA: Hey memmi! I am super stoked to be chatting with you about your debut EP Heartburn. I loved listening to it over these weirdly chilly past few days down here in LA, it had a unique, warm tone that felt so cool to experience. What was your favorite part of putting this whole project together?
MEMMI: Likewise! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it. One of my favorite moments was when I got invited by my friend, Zack, to one of Max Martin’s studios in LA. I wasn’t sure what kind of atmosphere I’d be stepping into, but when I got there it was literally just Zack working on beats in this insane, living room/library-esque studio that supposedly used to be Frank Sinatra’s bedroom. I was pretty baffled by the fact that we were just casually cooking up there but the energy was magnetic. I pulled up a demo version of ‘Bad Side’ and without hesitation, Zack hopped on the live mic and started freestyling what became his verse on the song. It all happened so quickly it was unique. We were really just having fun and messing around but from that, a major song from the project was made.
It’s sort of indicative of how the whole project came together pretty naturally. Things just kind of fell into place with these songs and at a certain point, I realized I had something.
LUNA: Throughout your career, you’ve done production, songwriting, and now you’re venturing into solo territory. What was the scariest part of moving in this new direction? And the most rewarding?
MEMMI: Luckily for me, I was always making my own music. It just took until this EP for me to really put something cohesive together. I love working with other people; but I have these songs that are personal to me and it feels right putting them out. I tinker; so I never thought these songs would sound finished but they do which is amazing.
LUNA: Is there a track on the EP that holds a particularly special place in your heart? I personally loved “I Keep Thinking”.
MEMMI: ‘I Keep Thinking’ is a very important one to me. Topic-wise, I feel like it captures exactly where I was at that time. But I would say my personal favorite is ‘Change Ways.’ It just sounds the most exciting. It’s harsh but it’s got beautiful layers which I think works to its themes.
LUNA: It was intriguing to hear this release characterized as “genreless.” Is this the mood that you were trying to convey, and how would you in your own words describe your songs?
MEMMI: There are no boxes, only doors.
LUNA: As a multi-faceted artist, what or who are some of your greatest inspirations and motivations?
MEMMI: Q-Tip, Björk, and Sébastian Tellier to name a few.
LUNA: What is something you think your listeners would be surprised to know about you?
MEMMI: Alone, together, again.
LUNA: If you could have one of your songs in any movie soundtrack, which would you pick?
MEMMI: Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind. I would take the drums and vocals out of ‘Change Ways’ and go from there.
LUNA: What is something you feel you could not have made this EP without?
MEMMI: My brother and my piano.
LUNA: Lastly, what can we look forward to from you memmi, following the release of Heartburn?
MEMMI: Working on more music to put out and it’s electric. Chew slowly!
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