Musician and all-around creative tour de force Mogli just released her new single, “Echo,” presaging her upcoming album, Ravage, a project accompanied by a dystopian film, created and scored by Mogli.
Talking about the project’s genesis, Mogli shares, “I broke out of a toxic relationship and moved to Berlin. Consequently, I was completely on my own trying to find out who I was while battling depression. I passionately dove into touring and working which inevitably led to burnout. Writing this album became my catharsis, I was able to face my fears. Being brave enough to make yourself vulnerable heals you and brings you happiness.”
The forthcoming album and film chronicle her cusp of transition, along with topics such as self-empowerment, vulnerability, feminism, equality, and societal problems such as climate change.
Explaining “Echo,” Mogli says, “‘Echo’ is about this moment of realization that had so much power for me because it made me walk in the right direction even though I didn’t know where I was going. This song is the catalyst for the whole journey ahead. It’s telling you to never settle and to find your own voice in this world.”
“Echo” opens on visceral guitars riding rumbling percussion, heavy and potent, while a shimmering piano sparkles, imbuing the tune with luminous colors. Mogli’s sumptuous voice, Siren-like, infuses the lyrics with dark textures, audacious and urgent.
CelebMix spoke with Mogli to discover more about the person behind the music, how the video came together, and her influences.
What inspired your new single “Echo?”
I spent a day in Berlin with my good friend Fenne Lily who is also an artist and we just talked and reflected on our lives for hours.
The conversations and the fact that I felt so much more like myself outside of my daily routine sparked the first realization that something in my relationship is not right.
‘Echo’ is about that first moment of realization that you have to leave a toxic situation.
Who directed the video and where was it shot?
I went to a production company with the idea for the whole cinematographic album Ravage that ‘Echo’ is the first episode off.
I then co-wrote the whole thing with one of their directors. Leading up to the shoot I kind of co-directed with him because I was involved with all the departments and details. On set, Florian Peters did an amazing job of directing while I focused on acting.
What do you want people to take away from your music?
I am pouring everything that I have into my voice and lyrics because love travels. I want people to feel less alone.
You have a new album, Ravage, coming next year. What can you share about the album?
It’s my most personal project to date because I expressed my own emotional journey through depression and burn-out and from a toxic situation to loving myself.
There is the music and an accompanying movie – it’s a whole body of work.
What got you into music?
I started singing before I could speak. My mum told me I was humming along when she made music. A couple of weeks ago my then one-month-old daughter did the same when I sang for her.
Which artists/musicians had the most impact on your sound?
I’m inspired by vulnerability – when artists are sharing their truth not by sounds themselves. Lorde and Bon Iver are names that I think of at the top of my head.
Did your sound develop naturally over time, or did you push it deliberately in a specific direction?
It developed naturally and it’s sure to change a lot throughout my life as it’s always a reflection of the vibe that I’m feeling right in that studio moment.
Which artists in your opinion are killing it right now?
I’m the biggest fan of Elena Tonras’ (Daughter) solo project Ex:re and hope she will release new music soon!
What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, TV, or other media?
Whatever moves me! At the moment, that’s self-reflection and human interaction.
What can you share about your writing process?
It’s very intuitive. We start with a vibe and we don’t leave the studio until the song is mostly done. My demos sound super similar to the finished song cause the production reflects that vibe and it has to be right from the start. I never write songs just on the guitar or piano and produce them later.
What can your fans expect over the next six months? New material? Live gigs?
There is a new episode coming every month leading up to the release of Ravage. Live gigs are going online soon!
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