Photo by: Jackie Lee Young
Last time Allston Pudding checked in with Molly Burch, we found her in Ringer Park playing the title track off her first album, Please Be Mine. Her deep crooning voice makes your heart swoop in a way that reminds you of passing the crest of the highest roller coaster peak. Like her contemporaries Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten, and Mothers, Burch’s music harkens back to the past of a parallel universe when jazz and blues singers could have teamed up with surf rockers. Her lyrics about romance and working through relationships are timeless, but her songs about parties and anxiety have a distinct twenty-first century flavor. We interviewed Burch via email about her latest 7”, Ballads, out now.
ALLSTON PUDDING: What about these songs didn’t fit on the last album, First Flower?
MOLLY BURCH: Mainly the decision was based on the length of the album. We wanted to cut it down to 11 songs out of the 13. I liked the idea of having “Only One” being one of the songs to have for a 7” because then it could be treated like a single. It would have been more on the back burner if it was on First Flower.
AP: Which female vocalists did you have in mind to pay homage to when you were naming Ballads?
MOLLY BURCH: I didn’t have anyone specifically in mind. It felt like the perfect title for the 7” because both songs are slow burn love songs. I love singing ballads, and it’s not often these types of songs get highlighted — especially as singles, so I wanted to lean into the whole vibe. I’ve always been obsessed with female vocalists, and if I had to choose a couple to dedicate the 7” to, it’d be Judy Garland and Billie Holiday.
AP: Have you always sang with the vocal style you have now? Or did you cultivate this sound?
MOLLY BURCH: I think it takes a while to craft a voice, at least that’s true for me. I’ve always had the voice I have now, but when I went to college for jazz I sang with more of a jazz-y affectation. I found my voice truly after graduating college, moving to Austin, and gaining experience songwriting.
AP: How did you decide that you wanted to use surf rock instrumentals to accompany your songs?
MOLLY BURCH: The instrumentation to my songs came really naturally. My boyfriend Dailey Toliver is my main guitarist. When we started playing together it just came so easy (minus the emotional drama, lol). He is classically trained and has such a unique style. I think knowing each other so well helps too.
Photo by: Jackie Lee Young
AP: When you sing songs from your previous two albums, do they still resonate with you in the same way as when you wrote them? Or do you feel distanced from those periods of your life now?
MOLLY BURCH: I think both for sure. Sometimes I feel extremely distant from them but then sometimes I get surprised and feel something entirely new about them. It’s been super interesting gaining a lot of touring experience and playing my songs over and over. I’m constantly learning.
AP: You’ve written about friend breakups, sibling dynamics, and anxiety. Do you have any unexplored topics that you would like to write about next?
MOLLY BURCH: I’ve always written really personal songs so yeah there are definitely more topics I want to explore. Self exploration is endless!
AP: Do you find you have a better grasp on how to handle your anxiety when it comes to performing?
MOLLY BURCH: Yes — definitely. I hardly ever get nervous anymore when I perform. It really depends on the show. And I mostly just get pre-show nerves if anything. My anxiety manifests elsewhere for sure! But it took me a long time to get comfortable performing. I used to get sick to my stomach before performances and it would really trigger my OCD.
AP: What have you learned from touring that you’ll be sure to keep in mind this time around?
MOLLY BURCH: Oh boy, I’ve learned so much from touring since my first tour in 2017 and I’m learning every day. For one I feel like I’m a pro packer now! And I’ve also learned to pack little comforts like face masks, robes, etc. haha. More importantly — I’ve learned the significance of band dynamics and who I should ask to come on tour with me. I look for someone who is pleasant to be around, a good musician, and someone who has experience and takes touring seriously. I feel super protective of this space. I’ve also learned how to be a band leader in every sense of the term.
Listen to Ballads below and see Molly Burch live at Great Scott on 8/10 (tickets here):