At some point last year, George Maple found herself split between three cities, on three continents. Flitting between Sydney, London and New York, her success also led to a bizarre, multi-faceted and international lifestyle.
“To be honest, I’ve kind of been living out of a suitcase for the past three years. Not because I planned it or anything, but because it’s where life kind of led me! I’m used to living with very little, trying to not be too attached to anything, because I always lose bags, I lose pieces of my life everywhere. It’s been a very big learning curve lately.”
Yet it’s a move she’s has taken in her stride. An artist continually open to collaboration, she has absorbed influences and accepted new styles, with each development feeding into what George believes she should become.
“I try to balance collaboration on my own, in terms of directing things,” she says. “If I’m working on a particular song and I have an idea for it, I’ll usually choose a producer that I want to collaborate with and who I think will take the track in a certain direction. I guess, at the same time, sometimes it goes in a different direction – but that can be more wonderful that you’d ever thought.”
For her upcoming EP, ‘Vacant Space’, the Australian artist sought out the advice of Warp Records’ Kwes for some blistering avant-pop. “He’s awesome. He’s so beautiful. He has this little studio down on the water, and it’s like a safe haven. He disappears down there and rides his bike. He’s wonderful.”
Working with the likes of fellow Australian artist Flume, the singer is pushing the envelope in terms of production while also retaining her love of pop music.
“I mean, I write songs with a pop structure,” she says. “There’ll always be that element. I grew up listening to soul music and dance music and pop music. I never wanted to stay within one particular realm. I think [my music is] a fusion of the pop structure with more interesting production, I guess. That is what I’m trying to do, I think.”
“Pop was kind of a dirty word, particularly in Australia, when I was younger,” she muses. “Pop music was very uncool. I think since the more commercial side of pop has become a little more intense and not that attractive there’s this sub-culture of pop that is emerging, where people are writing really fun, catchy songs with interesting production.”
– – –
– – –
WHAT: Intelligent, provocative pop music
WHERE: Sydney, London, New York
THREE SONGS: ‘Talk Talk’ (video above), ‘Fixed’, ‘Vacant Space’
– – –
Words: Robin Murray
George Maple online. ‘Vacant Space’ is released via Future Classic in December.
More Next Wave features, focusing on the best emerging talent
Buy Clash Magazine
Get Clash on your mobile, for free: iPhone / Android
