Matilda Cole On How Music Has Allowed Her to Discover Herself

“Again” is born out of a turbulent relationship as Matilda Cole depicts her story with perfect poise. Matilda released this song unpacking dreamy, sultry vocals and reflective, relatable songwriting. In conversation with Clique, Matilda shares that “Again” is about having a habit of taking whatever affection she can get from people, and that was especially true when she was younger. She shares how when you feel unworthy of love, any little crumb of it feels monumental. She would get very attached to people very quickly, and that just meant she would allow them to treat her badly, again and again.

CLIQUE: “Again” is about “that all too familiar cycle of wanting someone so much that you let them hurt you again and again” . Can you speak more about that and what “Again” is about?

MATILDA: i have a habit of taking whatever affection i can get from people, and that was especially true when i was younger. when you feel unworthy of love, any little crumb of it feels monumental. i would get very attached to people very quickly, and that just meant i would allow them to treat me badly, again and again.

CLIQUE: When did you start singing and songwriting?

MATILDA: i’ve written my whole life. not always songs, but words and writing were the basis for my whole personality as a youngster. when i started taking singing seriously at the beginning of secondary school, i took my writing and turned it into songs. flash forward a few years and i’d made my way into studios, and was doing it professionally. i still can’t quite believe that it actually happened.

“the songs are essentially tableaus from my adolescence, and i hope that they can act as a mirror for other people, to see their experiences in mine.”

CLIQUE: You have been described as having dreamy, sultry vocals and reflective, relatable songwriting. How would you yourself describe your music/aesthetic?

MATILDA: i think reflective is a good word for it. the songs are essentially tableaus from my adolescence, and i hope that they can act as a mirror for other people, to see their experiences in mine. both eps feel like collages of moments, so i drew from that visually when making the covers and promotional pieces.

CLIQUE: What is your songwriting process like?

MATILDA: god it changes allll the time! but right now if i’m by myself with my guitar, i choose some chords (from very limited selection because i’m very bad at guitar) and then either pull lyrics from something i’ve already written, or just sing a bit and see what comes out. if i’m in the studio with a producer then i’ll play some references and give an idea of the kind sound i want, and then we’ll build an instrumental and i’ll try out some melody and lyrics until something sticks.

CLIQUE: Is there anyone you hope to one day be able to collaborate with?

MATILDA: I would love to become the fourth member of boygenius, but i think they’re perfect as they are. so maybe sharon van etten, i think she’s a genius and would love to write with her.

CLIQUE: What song is your all time favorite?

MATILDA: old friends by pinegrove, for now.

CLIQUE: What are you most looking forward to with your live show coming up in April?

MATILDA: being able to perform! i started releasing during covid, so i’ve never had a chance to sing my own stuff live. a lot of my closest friends and family are going to be there, so it should be a special moment. i hope.

CLIQUE: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

MATILDA: id say lorde’s first album Pure Heroine was a huge huge influence on me. currently also father john misty, the blue nile and samia.

“my identity was so deeply intertwined in my relationships with other people, and making music with strangers and travelling around the country to do it has showed me who i am without codependency. i think that’s reflected in the newer music, i know what im doing and who i am a little bit more.”

CLIQUE: How would you describe your growth as a musician?

MATILDA: doing music has allowed me to discover my self as cliche as it sounds! it’s given me something to channel all my nervous energy into, and a way to release old hurt i was holding onto. my identity was so deeply intertwined in my relationships with other people, and making music with strangers and travelling around the country to do it has showed me who i am without codependency. i think that’s reflected in the newer music, i know what im doing and who i am a little bit more.

CLIQUE: Is there anything you can share about what you have coming up next?

MATILDA: there’s one more song on this ep (and it happens to be my favourite) and then the live show! im always writing though, and have been doing some co writes for other artists which has been great. i’ll take a little break from releasing, but probably not that long. so keep your eyes peeled!

Listen to Matilda’s single 'Again' on Spotify here