All-female trio Hey Mammoth is back and is celebrating the release of their debut EP, ‘Ice Age’, by hitting up some of their favourite small venues in our little state of Victoria. We chat to Matilda Hassall ahead of the gigs.
Hi Matilda, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte Magazine. For those that aren’t lucky enough to be familiar with Hey Mammoth, please give us a little introduction.
We’re an all-female trio, probably most known for our light-hearted combo of folky sounds, edgy harmonies and lyrics that make anyone have a good think and a good laugh – just three Aussie chicks singin’ in length on seemingly irrelevant topics.
You were all originally back-up singers in a soul-fusion band, what lead you to branching off and creating your own act?
After about three years of harmonising and step-clicking in synchronisation on the daily, we naturally began to write songs together. At first they were just for a bit of fun, but then we thought, ‘Heck! We may as well show these to the world’. It is crazy to think what started as a fun way to kill time has ultimately directed us to where we are now.
You’re about to embark on the “Ice Age” Tour, to support your new EP of the same name. Landing in Geelong, Ballarat, Warrnambool and Melbourne, what can gig goers expect from the tour and what are you looking forward to most about being on the road?
We’re most excited to hit up some of our favourite small venues in our little state of Victoria, and are lucky enough that a bunch of our dearest friends are also some of our favourite artists, as well as our support acts over the tour! Each night will have you serenaded by a different solo act, as well as an acoustic set from ’The Run’ – Geelong based alt-pop-rock band. If you haven’t seen these delightfully talented boys yet (firstly, reconsider some life choices), expect a mixture of in-your-face riffs, captivating melodies, and emotive wordcraft.
Your EP is a showcase of some incredible and complex layered vocal work accompanied by warm melodic acoustic pieces, tell us a bit about the writing process in Hey Mammoth. As a trio how do you approach putting tracks like these together?
Our writing process will usually begin with a ludicrous lyrical concept from Matilda, a surprisingly fitting chord progression from Rosey, glossed over with a too-pretty melody from Cam. It’s also always a treat to bring a completed song to the girls and see it completely transform once all of the ideas are melted down and re-arranged (usually sewn together with harmonies and some type of hand-held percussion).
If Hey Mammoth could share the stage with any bands, who would you want to perform on a lineup with? (You never know, they may end up reading this!)
We take a lot of inspiration from female (particularly Australian) songwriters out there who aren’t afraid to talk about real shit or get a little bit whacky – names that come to mind are Kate-Miller Heidke, Stella Donnelly, Jen Cloher, and Montaigne.
Anything you’d like to say to people considering catching a Hey Mammoth show on this tour?
If you come to one of our shows, we’ll be sure to give you something to bring up at your next dinner party, and leave you chatting for the whole car-ride home.
When & Where:
Furphy Hall, Geelong – May 3
The Lost Ones, Ballarat – May 4
Mozart Hall, Warrnambool – May 11
