With F.O. Machete’s comeback album ‘Mother Of A Thousand’ due out on Valentine’s Day (this Friday) via Last Night From Glasgow, itm? spoke to Natasha Noramly and Paul Mellon to discuss getting back together again, how the new record came about and what we can expect from the band’s second coming.
What prompted the reunion?
Paul: Just before covid I had been playing with a shoegaze band from Glasgow called The Cherry Wave and then during the many lockdowns etc. that band sort of came to a halt. So I was looking for something else to do musically and fortunately, Natasha had just moved back to Glasgow. So we thought it might be fun to hang out and play some music together again like we used to.
What did you want to achieve when you got back together – was an album always the goal?
Natasha: We were pretty relaxed about making plans—more curious to see where things would go. Meeting Gary Sloan and the LNFG team gave us a new mission and a deadline to work toward. The music-making, creative part of me had been missing for so long due to mothering, so a lot of it was me trying to find my way back to that.
How did the hook-up with LNFG come about?
Natasha: I was over at the Hidden Lane on Record Store Day and I bumped into Gary from LNFG, who has been a great supporter and genuine fan since back in the old days. He offered us a record deal right there on the spot!
When I got home that night, I thought, “Man, I need to go out more often if things like this are going to happen!” I think this encounter really highlights the cool and supportive nature of the Glasgow music scene and of Last Night from Glasgow.
How would you describe the album?
Paul: I think it’s the best album we’ve ever made by quite some distance. It’s less lo-fi and angular than our stuff used to be. Still heavy in points but there’s more light and shade to it now. I’m reluctant to use the word “mature” but I think it is more mature and the songwriting is just much better.
What’s the reaction been like to the singles and the album?
Natasha: OMG, at the end of last year, we were thrilled to be on so many end-of-year lists—it was honestly so moving to get that recognition. Especially since, the first time around, I think we were seen as more of an obscure band. I think we’ve surprised everyone.
How do you think the record differs from what you did first time around?
Paul: In the old days we were really into the idea of being a power trio like Dinosaur Jr or Hűsker Dű or something like that, but nowadays when we play live there’s four or five of us onstage. In the studio as well I feel like the stuff is bigger and more produced and less sparse and scratchy than it used to be.
How different has the experience of being in a band been from first time?
Natasha: Reflecting on our early days in the 2000s, female-fronted bands in our genre of noise pop were a rarity, especially those with Southeast Asian lead singers. The music scene at that time was predominantly male-dominated, and seeing women, particularly from diverse backgrounds, at the forefront was uncommon. I’ve noticed today there’s a shift towards inclusivity and acceptance which is a good thing!
What are your plans after the launch show?
Paul: We’re really hoping to do more gigs and festivals across the spring and summer. We do have a couple of things to announce in the coming months.
Natasha: What Paul said. But I’m also super excited for the next record already, I think we’ve only just got started.
‘Mother of A Thousand’ is available via Last Night From Glasgow on record, CD and download. It will be available across all the usual streaming services from 14th February.
The band’s postponed album launch show takes place at Nice’N’Sleazys on Sunday 23rd March. [Tickets]
F.O. Machete pics by Marisa Privitera.
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